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The disappearance of Quinton Simon: Missing toddler likely DEAD and mom Leilani is prime suspect, say cops

No charges have been filed and no arrests have been made at present, said police

SAVANNAH, GEORGIA: The Chatham County Police Department and the FBI announced that they believe missing 20-month-old Quinton Simon is dead and have reportedly notified the family of the toddler. Leilani Simon, Quinton's mother, has been named as the prime suspect in his death. No charges have been filed and no arrests have been made at present, The US Sun revealed. 

Chatham County Police Department said in a tweet, "We are saddened to report that CCPD and the FBI have notified Quinton Simon’s family that we believe he is deceased. We have named his mother, Leilani Simon, as the prime suspect in his disappearance and death. But, no arrests have been made and no charges have been filed." They added in a separate tweet, "We know that thousands of people around the world will be heartbroken by this news, and we share your sorrow."

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A video shared on social media shows Leilani covering her face and ignoring reporters as she leaves in a car from the house where her son was last seen. The discovery comes after the Chatham County Police said it had "seized evidence" that could help them "move the case forward".

According to Chatham County Police Chief Jeff Hadley, detectives were working 18-20 hour days. They have searched several areas outside, he claimed. Meanwhile, public information officer Betsy Nolan said police received a search warrant for the pool. 

A manhunt has been launched for Quinton, who disappeared from his home in Savannah, Georgia, on October 5. The Daily Mail reported that there were issues going on within the baby's family, between his grandmother and his mother, Leilani. Simon's grandmother, Billie Jo Howell, has legal custody over him. The FBI and local police, who have launched a desperate search for Simon, have not ruled out the possibility of him being abducted. "I hope he's still alive. We don't have any information to believe he's not," Chatham County Police Chief Jeff Hadley said during a press conference last week.

Police have been searching Simon's home, a pong, drainage pipes, and a nearby wood. His mother's boyfriend reportedly woke up at 6 am and saw him. When his mother woke up, he was apparently gone and she reported him missing just after 9.30 am. Court records obtained by WJCL suggest Howell had tried to remove mom Leilani and her boyfriend Daniel Youngkin from their home. She said she wanted the two of them to leave the house "as soon as possible" since "they have damaged my property and at this point no one is living in peace." It is unclear whether this has anything to do with the child's disappearance, and how long ago the record was lodged.

Howell said of 22-year-old Leilani, "She hasn't always done the right thing." "Sometimes she does really great, sometimes she doesn't. I don't know what to think right now. I don't know what to believe, because I don't think anybody ever believes this is going to happen to them," she said. "'I don't know if I can trust her or I don't. I just know I'm hurting and I want this baby home. He's my baby."