Who is Leilani Simon? Missing toddler Quinton Simon’s mom ‘likes to lie’, claims grandfather
Update: Investigators on October 12 said they believed missing toddler Quinton Simon to be dead and cops have named his mother as the prime suspect in his disappearance. The Chatham County Police Department and the FBI have declared that they believe little Quinton is dead. No arrests have been made and no charges have been filed at this time.
"We are saddened to report that CCPD and the FBI have notified Quinton Simon’s family that we believe he is deceased," the Chatham County Police Department said. "We have named his mother, Leilani Simon, as the prime suspect in his disappearance and death. “We know that thousands of people around the world will be heartbroken by this news, and we share your sorrow."
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SAVANNAH, GEORGIA: A 20-month-old toddler, Quinton Simon, disappeared from his home in Savannah, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 5. As the investigation continues, there is speculation about the involvement of his own mother, Leilani Simon, in the missing child's case.
According to News Nation, Thomas Howell, Quinton's grandfather, said the child's mother had lied to the family before. "I don't know. That's just bad to say, but she just likes to lie," he said. Clinton's uncle told police that Leilani Simon had stolen from the family before and used the money to buy drugs. From that incident babysitter Diana McCarta, who claims Leilani's strange behavior raises doubts and points fingers at the 22-year-old mother.
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Who is Leilani Simon?
Leilani Simon, 22, has two sons, Quinton and a three-year-old brother, Zane. She was the one to report to the police the abduction of her child. Chatham County Police Chief added: "Mother woke up at some other time later and reported by calling 911 about the child missing at 9.39." She has been looking after her children with the support of babysitter, McCarta as well as her boyfriend, Daniel Youngkin. Her Facebook profile indicates that she works with Hollister Co, which is a clothing shop, and has written on her bio, "Mom to zayne 💙☀01//23//2019 and lil bubba moss 01//08//2021 💙☀" Leila has been educated at New Hampstead High School, Georgia.
Meanwhile, the allegation against her began when some of the court documents suggested, Billie Jo Howell, Quinton's grandmother, wanted to remove Leilani, and her boyfriend, Daniel Youngkin, from the home. The documents claimed, "They have damaged my property and at this point no one is living in peace." Billie has also asked for the custody of both her grandchildren, reports WJCL.
Billie has also spoken out against her daughter to the daughter, she said, "She hasn't always done the right thing," She then added, "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." The worried grandmother then claimed, "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, reports The Sun.
'I started seeing things that weren’t quite right'
In a now-deleted Facebook Live of McCarta, it is claimed that “I started seeing things that weren’t quite right,” McCarta said, adding that she'd often see bruises on the children. McCarta said, "I would tell [Billie Jo Howell], I would text her. She did not answer because she was at work. She texted me back and said okay I am going to talk to Leilani."
The babysitter of #QuintonSimon was just on FB live and stated that she has seen bruises on the children and would let grandma know but nothing was done. She also stated mom did not call police until after she arrived and asked if they had called. pic.twitter.com/IDEi8Iv8Ot
— Millie (@MillieMoo1212) October 9, 2022
The babysitter also said, "One particular morning, they were outside in the ditch. My daughter saw them and came running in, we went down there, [and] Leilani was not inside. I called Billie Jo, she then contacted Leilani. Leilani was home, she was just in the house somewhere."
In an interview with WSAV, the babysitter also made some strong allegations against the mother, “I got a text this morning saying they would not be here, would not be babysitting them at 5.29 [am] Which was kind of odd because I have them even when she doesn’t work,” McCarta said. Further she stated, “And then I get a text at 9.am saying have I seen Quinton,” 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.”