The tragic case of little Quinton Simon: Babysitter believes missing toddler drowned in family pool
SAVANNAH, GEORGIA: Missing Georgia toddler Quinton Simon's babysitter recalls past incidents where she found Quinton and his toddler brother alone in the family’s pool over the summer while their mother was allegedly sleeping. She now suspects the missing boy may have drowned.
Quinton Simon reportedly vanished from his Savannah home on October 5. After weeks long scavenging, the police declared the toddler dead and named his mother, Leilani Simon, 22, as the prime suspect in his death. The Chatham County Police Department was also seen at the toddlers residence, draning the family pool twice.
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Quinton's babysitter Diana McCarta said, "I felt the whole time that this has happened that Quinton got out and maybe got into the pool," told Fox News. "That’s my feelings all along because Zayne (Quinton's brother) can open the door, and they’ve gone out before." McCarta has been watching Simon’s three children for about nine months before Quinton’s disappearance, said her 16-year-old daughter found Quinton and his brother Zayne were alone in the family pool over the summer while the mother was sleeping. "I go down there, and they was in the pool and we got them out, Leilani was sleeping," she added. "It was scary."
(Chatham County Police Department and Leilani Simon/Facebook)
The Chatham County Police had also announced that they had seized evidence in the missing 20 month old child's case although no details about the evidence was revealed. McCarta who is also a mother to six children revealed Simon’s kids were not well-cared for and "there was neglect." "Every time they come over here, we bathed them. They were dirty. We fed them good because they were always hungry," said the sitter, who lives across the street. "Definitely, there was neglect there." Currently Simon's other two children 6-month-old Sky and 3-year-old Zayne are placed in foster care.
McCarta also revealed that the pool incident is not only time Quinton has wandered off. Nearly a month ago, McCartha found Quinton and Zayne playing alone in a ditch two feet from the busy roadway in front of Simon's home. Police believe the child's remains were dumped at a landfill site. McCarta had previously also reported that she was supposed to babysit Simon on the day of his disappearance but the family contacted her and informed her that she was not needed for the day.
(Billie Jo Howell/Facebook, Chatham County Police Department))
McCarta said she found it strange to find out the sudden change in plan but after few hours Leilani allegedly texted her asking if she has seen Quinton. McCarta said, "I immediately go to their house. I try to help them look, they didn’t want that. So, I’ve been just waiting around like everyone else.” McCarta and her family are heartbroken. "He’s a loving baby," she said. "We’re just praying every day. We’re praying that he is found, that he’s found safe." Chatham County Police have called the search "the most massive undertaking ever for our department."