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'She was not a mother to him': Outrage as Quinton Simon's heartbreaking obituary calls Leilani 'survivor'

'They didn't bother to list the names of his siblings! She doesn't deserve to be in his obituary,' said a user

SAVANNAH, GEORGIA: The heartbreaking obituary of toddler Quinton Simon has caused a huge uproar on the Internet. The 20-month-old Georgia boy went mysteriously missing from his home at Buckhalter Road on October 5 and his mother, Leilani Simon, was named the prime suspect.

Quinton's obituary, describing the toddler's short but happy life, noted he "went to heaven" on October 5, the day he was reported missing. "He loved to watch PJ Mask, Paw Patrol, and Dragon Tales. He enjoyed chasing his brother and copying everything that his brother did," read the obituary. "He would say 'thank-you' no matter what it was, even if he was the one doing something for someone else." Quinton was presumed dead on October 12 and shortly, the toddler's remains were discovered in a Georgia landfill on November 18. However, it was only after a week that DNA analysis confirmed the bones belonged to Quinton, prompting Leilani's arrest.

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"In the mornings, if the music was on, he would dance, smiling, spinning in a circle, and clapping," the family recalled. Quinton always gave everyone love and hugged their legs. Every time he did something he was proud of, he would come to whoever was close by and ask for “boom”, which was a little fist bump," it added.

The obituary went on to list the names of Quinton's family members. "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. Arrangements are pending at this time," it concluded.

However, netizens were furious that the obituary mentioned Quinton's mother, Leilani, who is allegedly responsible for the toddler's death. One user wrote, "The obituary for Quinton Simon. He was bright, happy, fun, smart, and loving it says. The article lists Leilani Simon, Quinton’s mom as a “survivor.” Leilani remains in the Chatham County jail charged with Quinton’s murder. @wsav." Another claimed, "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." Users were also stumped that the obituary mentioned the exact transcript that Leilani said in an interview for Michael Simon.

"This obituary is the exact transcript that Leilani wrote when her brother Michael Simon was interviewed by Voices behind the walls. People were asking about how was Quinton & Leilani wrote all these things in a paper & Michael read it. I took notes from that interview. Sickening." A user wrote, "Why does it not say he was loved, and will be missed by all? Something sinister in this obit imo and it makes me uncomfortable reading it." Another user chimed, "Cause it's words taken from an interview. They could've cared less about Quinton. I say it and I will keep saying it! That Gma is as guilty as LS." "Just when you think you can’t hold more disgust toward this family than you already do…" a tweet read. "But they didn't bother to list the names of his siblings! She doesn't deserve to be in his obituary."

After Quinton's death was confirmed, Leilani was arrested and taken to the Chatham County Detention Center on Monday, November 21. Leilani has been charged with murder and concealing the death of another person including charges of false reporting and making false statements involving her son. However, she pleaded not guilty to all the charges and was denied bond.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online