Mother accused of killing son and throwing body in dumpster, found guilty of murder

SAVANNAH, Georgia (WTOC/Gray News) – A jury has convicted Leilani Simon, the woman accused of killing her 20-month-old son and disposing of his body in 2022.

Leilani Simon was charged with murder, concealing a body and lying to police in connection with the death of her son, Quinton Simon. She was found guilty of all charges.

Quinton Simon was reported missing on October 5, 2022. It wasn’t until six days later that Quinton’s mother Leilani was named as the sole suspect in his disappearance and death.

On November 18, 2022, Quinton’s remains were found in a Chatham County landfill. Leilani was arrested three days later.

The jury’s verdict comes after eight days of testimony.

Simon will be sentenced at a later date. She faces a life sentence.

Prosecutors say it was a verdict that overcame the lack of physical evidence.

“This was a complex case because we didn’t have a cause or manner of death in this case because of what happened, so that’s always a concern. But the law enforcement agencies involved investigated this case so thoroughly and we did our best to present the evidence they had,” said Chatham County Assistant District Attorney Jenny Parker.

The prosecution presented jurors with 40 witnesses and nearly 100 pieces of evidence that the state said indicated Simon killed Quinton and threw his body in a dumpster.

Still, the jurors’ nearly six-hour deliberations proved tense for those involved in the case.

“You don’t take a responsibility like that lightly, so I think they thought about the evidence, they were diligent in the way they approached it, they took the time necessary to come to the conclusion that they did the Chatham County Police Chief said. of police, Jeff Hadley.

Simon rarely cried during the trial, but was seen crying before being led away.

Parker says she believes justice has been served for Quinton and his mother.

“We cannot undo this. We can’t do that. But I hope it gives a lot of people who have been watching this trial some closure and some confidence in the justice system,” Parker said.

Leilani Simon’s mother, Billie Howell, was not present at the trial, but tells WTOC she feels justice has been served.

Howell responded in a statement to WTOC, saying, “Our family is devastated and Quinton deserves justice. We want Quinton home so he can rest. I hate not being there for Leilani. We love her but do not support this.”

WTOC asked Leilani Simon’s attorneys for comment, but they declined.

Chatham County police held a news conference Friday after the ruling. Chief Hadley said in part, “Quinton Simon truly became the child of Chatham County in the weeks our community was gripped by his disappearance. It is fitting that today, with their guilty verdicts, twelve men and women from our province delivered the final measure of justice for little Quinton. We hope this brings some measure of peace and comfort to all who loved Quinton.”

The Chatham County District Attorney’s Office also released a press statement after the verdict.

“As with any case involving death or serious injury, especially to child victims, my condolences go out to Baby Quinton’s family and those mourning his tragic loss of life,” District Attorney Shalena Cook Jones.

In her statement, Jones acknowledged that while the verdict would not bring Baby Q back, she hopes it will make them more diligent in protecting vulnerable child victims and intervening early in cases where neglect and harm are evident.

“Whatever her sentence, this mother will have to live with her actions every day of her life and that is a prison in itself,” Jones said.