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Billie Jo Howell: Grandmother of slain Georgia toddler Quinton Simon arrested for contempt of court

Billie Jo Howell's arrest is reportedly not linked to the death of the 20-month-old Quinton Simon whose remains were discovered in a Georgia landfill

SAVANNAH, GEORGIA: The grandmother of Quinton Simon, who was allegedly killed by his own mother, has now been arrested. As per Chatham County Sheriff’s Department records, Billie Jo Howell, who also goes by Betterton as her last name, was arrested on Monday, December 12.

It has been said that Howell is currently being held in the Chatham County detention center on a contempt of court charge. She has apparently been provided with an anti-suicide smock to wear and "is on hold for the juvenile court system, according to jail records," Fox News reported. Besides, her arrest is reportedly not linked to the death of her 20-month-old grandson, whose remains were discovered in a Georgia landfill on November 18 after cops spent a month searching through 1.2 million pounds of garbage.

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Chatham County Police Chief Jeff Hadley had reportedly said, “The FBI’s expertise was instrumental in solving this case and locating Quinton. They are the undisputed experts in missing child cases, and they were with us at every turn in our investigation. Their expertise, manpower, and resources are unmatched and we are tremendously grateful for the FBI’s assistance,” before adding, “We are indebted to the many law enforcement and public service agencies who assisted with this search, which was a crucial part of our investigation.”

Howell’s daughter and the mother of Quinton, Leilani Simon, has been accused of murdering the child, who was reported missing on October 5 from his home at Buckhalter Road. She was arrested and faces multiple charges that include “malice murder, concealing the death of another person, false reporting, and making false statements in connection with the disappearance and death of her 20-month-old son, Quinton Simon,” according to a statement by Chatham County Police Department.

This comes after Quinton’s obituary angered people as it mentioned his mother as a “survivor”. The eulogy stated, “Quinton Oruta (Ruth) Simon, 21 months old, of Savannah, Georgia, went to Heaven on Wednesday, October 5, 2022. He was a bright, happy, fun, smart, loving, little monkey.  He would say ‘thank-you’ no matter what it was, even if he was the one doing something for someone else.  In the mornings, if the music was on, he would dance, smiling, spinning in a circle, and clapping.  Quinton always gave everyone love and hugged their legs.”

“Survivors include his mother, Leilani Maree Simon; father, Henry Moss, Jr.; a brother and a sister; grandparents, Billie and Tommy Howell; great-grandparents, Vernon and Ruth Sikes, Michael and Evelyn Simon; uncles, Michael Simon, Matthew Simon, Logan Simon, Paul Simon, Joe Swain, and Quinton Betterton,” it added.

But people were not happy with the inclusion of Leilani’s name as a user tweeted, “Thank you so much Brett. IMO I do not think this mother's name should have been listed as a survivor. She was not a mother to him. She took his little life i'm sad to say 👼Q.” Another one shared, “Just when you think you can’t hold more disgust toward this family than you already do…” “But they didn't bother to list the names of his siblings!  She doesn't deserve to be in his obituary,” the third one added.

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