QUINTON SIMON: Georgia vs. Leilani Simon for murder of toddler son *GUILTY*

Preliminary hearing set as Quinton Simon's mother faces murder charge in toddler's disappearance

At the preliminary hearing, the state will have the opportunity to share some of the facts of the case and explain why there was probable cause for an arrest.

www.wjcl.com

Savannah : Police searching for missing 20-month-old toddler​

The Chatham County Police Department is searching for a missing toddler.

Twenty-month-old Quinton Simon was last seen at his home in the 500 block of Buckhalter Road at 6 a.m. this morning, and was reported missing at approximately 9:00 a.m.

He was wearing a light blue Sesame Street shirt and black pants.

QUINTON SIMON: Missing from Savannah, GA - 5 Oct 2022 since Age 20 months

Quinton Simon disappeared from his Savannah home Wednesday morning. Chatham County Police Chief Jeff Hadley said they don’t know if this was a kidnapping and they have not seen any signs of foul play.

www.crimewatchers.net

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

It has been 1 year since Quinton Simon disappeared. Here is where the case stands

Investigators believe his mother put Quinton’s body in a dumpster, which ultimately ended up in a Chatham County landfill.

www.wsbtv.com

It has been 1 year since Quinton Simon disappeared. Here is where the case stands​

It has been one year since a Savannah-area boy disappeared, whose remains were later found in a landfill.

Quinton Simon, who was 20 months old, was reported missing from his Chatham County home on Oct. 5, 2022.


Leilani Simon was eventually indicted on 19 counts including malice murder and felony murder.

“These are the cases that keep us up at night. These are the cases that deserve justice,” Chatham County District Attorney Shalena Cook Jones told WTOC-TV at the time.

Since then, Leilani Simon has been fighting to have the charges dropped against her. A trial date has yet to be set in the case as a series of pre-trial motions are still being worked out.

She remains in the Chatham County Jail while she awaits trial.

 

[Summer_Breeze]

Home where Ga. toddler lived before he vanished, was found dead in landfill up for sale

The home where a Georgia toddler lived before he was found dead in a landfill in 2022 is now up for sale, according to WJCL.

www.wsbtv.com

By WSBTV.com News Staff
January 08, 2024 at 12:03 pm EST

SAVANNAH — The home where a Georgia toddler lived before he was found dead in a landfill in 2022 is now up for sale, according to WJCL.

<snip>

Now, WJCL reports that the family has put the home Quinton lived in with his mother and grandparents up for sale. The 2,800-square-foot property is listed for $399,900. The official sellers are Quinton’s grandparents, Thomas and Billie Jo Howell.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Home where Ga. toddler lived before he vanished, was found dead in landfill up for sale

The home where a Georgia toddler lived before he was found dead in a landfill in 2022 is now up for sale, according to WJCL.

www.wsbtv.com

By WSBTV.com News Staff
January 08, 2024 at 12:03 pm EST

SAVANNAH — The home where a Georgia toddler lived before he was found dead in a landfill in 2022 is now up for sale, according to WJCL.

<snip>

Now, WJCL reports that the family has put the home Quinton lived in with his mother and grandparents up for sale. The 2,800-square-foot property is listed for $399,900. The official sellers are Quinton’s grandparents, Thomas and Billie Jo Howell.

Mom/grandma is lucky she isn't in jail imo. She was the "guardian" of this child and was not to leave him with her daughter if I recall. I hope she and hub aren't selling the home to pay for murdering baby mom's legal defense. Going out and partying with her was inappropriate enough as was the loss of temper with the babysitter. I don't doubt grandma had her hands full but her choices weren't the best.

If I had to guess, they are selling to pay legal fees for a defense. In my opinion a futile defense. This baby was found in a landfill! With video of mom going to the garbage with what was undeniably imo this child based on all the surrounding time frame and reports.

 

[noZme]

Ga. mom appears in court over killing of son, Quinton Simon

Leilani Simon, the former Burke County resident accused of killing her baby, Quinton Simon, was back in court Tuesday.

www.wrdw.com

Leilani Simon, the Chatham County mother accused of killing her baby, Quinton Simon, and disposing of his body in a dumpster, was back in court Tuesday. Defense and the prosecution gave an update on where each of their teams stood as far as preparing for the case.
The prosecution told Judge Tammy Stokes that they are waiting on some testing that could be critical to building their case. That includes forensic testing of Quinton Simon’s pack n’ play, as well as on his remains that were recovered from a Chatham County landfill.
They’re also waiting on toxicology results. The defense team expressed they were waiting for the same things.

Stokes then said she would like to put the case to trial before the end of the year. Next court date as April 16. That will be to go over several motions by the defense, including a motion to block any statements admitting guilt by Leilani, and a motion to quash the indictment.

Quinton Simon was reported missing on Oct. 5, 2022. It was not until Nov. 18, 2022, that his remains were found at a Chatham County landfill.

 

[Mel70]

Mom/grandma is lucky she isn't in jail imo. She was the "guardian" of this child and was not to leave him with her daughter if I recall. I hope she and hub aren't selling the home to pay for murdering baby mom's legal defense. Going out and partying with her was inappropriate enough as was the loss of temper with the babysitter. I don't doubt grandma had her hands full but her choices weren't the best.

If I had to guess, they are selling to pay legal fees for a defense. In my opinion a futile defense. This baby was found in a landfill! With video of mom going to the garbage with what was undeniably imo this child based on all the surrounding time frame and reports.

Going out partying. Casey friggin' Anthony.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Going out partying. Casey friggin' Anthony.

Yeah but in this case grandma went with...

Sickening isn't it. Many others, self included, I think still are not sure grandma shouldn't be charged. She HAD custody and left him/them with her daughter. And yes they partied together after this crime, whooped it up and hit on I thinka bartender, etc.

Haven't thought of this one in awhile. Thank you @noZme for the update.

 

[Summer_Breeze]

'Deeply distressing': New report shows Georgia's foster care system led to foster children abuse

The report criticizes Georgia's Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS), claiming its failures led to deaths and abuse of foster children.

www.wjcl.com

Updated: 12:05 AM EDT Apr 10, 2024
Tia Maggio
Reporter/Multimedia Journalist

Ga. —
A new report from Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff shows the failures in Georgia's foster care system.

Sen. Ossoff announced the release of his report on Tuesday. The report is a 13-month investigation of testimonies, cases, and findings surrounding around the safety of foster children.

"The most vulnerable children in our state and in our nation must be protected from physical abuse, from sexual abuse, and from human trafficking. We cannot and must not look away from these findings, though they are deeply distressing. We cannot accept the abuse, the trafficking, and the preventable death of children. I thank my Subcommittee staff and the more than 100 witnesses whose hard work and courage has brought these facts to the public," Chairman Ossoff said in a statement Tuesday.

The report criticizes Georgia's Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS), claiming its failures led to deaths and abuse of foster children.

One of those deaths happened in Chatham County.

Police say 20-month-old Quinton Simon was beaten to death and thrown into a dumpster by his mother, Leilani Simon, in 2022. Simon currently faces murder charges for her son's death.

The report criticizes DFCS' handling of the case, like failing to properly investigate Simon's caregiving, his grandmother, on her long history with Child Protective Services.

Emma Hetherington, a professor at University of Georgia and a 12-year case worker for an outside foster child advocacy agency, helped compile the findings.

Hetherington said the most shocking finding in the report were cases about child sex trafficking.

"The number of children who have gone missing in Georgia over the last several years, which is in the thousands … the National Center on Missing and Exploited Children believe that 440 or so were trafficked while missing," Hetherington said.

However, 75% of child abuse reports are neglect, according to Hetherington, which she said stems from poverty.

"It's not necessarily that a caregiver is directly, physically or sexually abusing these kids, but they need some sort of assistance to be able to care for their children," Hetherington said.

The report also criticized DFSC for its mismanagement also led to the abuse of foster children.

"More often than not, you will find employees with high burnout rate. They're not being appropriately trained or supervised. They don't know what they're doing" Hetherington said.

WJCL reached out to Georgia DFSC for a comment but never heard back.

 

[Summer_Breeze]

Leilani Simon appears in court for motion hearing

Leilani Simon’s lawyers are asking a judge to throw out her statements she made to law enforcement.

www.wtoc.com

By Flynn Snyder
Published: Apr. 16, 2024 at 7:07 PM EDT|
Updated: 13 hours ago

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Leilani Simon’s lawyers are asking a judge to throw out her statements she made to law enforcement.

The case’s lead investigator testified today as prosecutors played hours of interviews between Simon and law enforcement following her son Quinton’s 2022 disappearance.

The defense argues that during some of those interviews Simon invoked her fifth amendment rights to remain silent and to have an attorney present.

Simon’s lawyers claim those invocations meant all of her statements afterwards should be revoked and that police could no longer contact her to come in for further interviews.

The prosecution pushed back claiming Simon’s 5th amendment invocations had no legal effect since they did not happen while she was in custody and that she chose to make voluntary statements to law enforcement.

That’s something the State pressed the case’s lead investigator about on the stand.

“Was she ever handcuffed at any point that day,” asked Timothy Dean, Prosecutor.

“No,” Det. Marian Lemmons, Chatham County Police Department answered.

“Was she ever shackled to a wall,” asked Dean.

“No,” Lemmons answered.

“Was she ever subjected to any physical force whatsoever,” asked Dean.

“No,” Lemmons answered.

“Did anybody ever threaten anything like that,” asked Dean.

“No,” Lemmons answered.

“Did anybody ever threaten or insinuate anything nonphysical like getting her fired from her job or taking her kids away,” asked Dean.

“No,” Lemmons answered.

Prosecutors played a portion of WTOC’s interview with Simon as part of the evidence in today’s hearing.

Judge Tammy Stokes did stop us from filming shortly before the defense started their questioning claiming it was in an effort to protect the impact and testimony of court proceedings.

Simon was indicted on 19 counts in 2022.

Judge Stokes did not make a ruling on the motion today.

WTOC will follow court filings closely and update you when she does.

 

[GrandmaBear]

'Deeply distressing': New report shows Georgia's foster care system led to foster children abuse

The report criticizes Georgia's Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS), claiming its failures led to deaths and abuse of foster children.

www.wjcl.com

Updated: 12:05 AM EDT Apr 10, 2024
Tia Maggio
Reporter/Multimedia Journalist

Ga. —
A new report from Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff shows the failures in Georgia's foster care system.

Sen. Ossoff announced the release of his report on Tuesday. The report is a 13-month investigation of testimonies, cases, and findings surrounding around the safety of foster children.

"The most vulnerable children in our state and in our nation must be protected from physical abuse, from sexual abuse, and from human trafficking. We cannot and must not look away from these findings, though they are deeply distressing. We cannot accept the abuse, the trafficking, and the preventable death of children. I thank my Subcommittee staff and the more than 100 witnesses whose hard work and courage has brought these facts to the public," Chairman Ossoff said in a statement Tuesday.

The report criticizes Georgia's Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS), claiming its failures led to deaths and abuse of foster children.

One of those deaths happened in Chatham County.

Police say 20-month-old Quinton Simon was beaten to death and thrown into a dumpster by his mother, Leilani Simon, in 2022. Simon currently faces murder charges for her son's death.

The report criticizes DFCS' handling of the case, like failing to properly investigate Simon's caregiving, his grandmother, on her long history with Child Protective Services.

Emma Hetherington, a professor at University of Georgia and a 12-year case worker for an outside foster child advocacy agency, helped compile the findings.

Hetherington said the most shocking finding in the report were cases about child sex trafficking.

"The number of children who have gone missing in Georgia over the last several years, which is in the thousands … the National Center on Missing and Exploited Children believe that 440 or so were trafficked while missing," Hetherington said.

However, 75% of child abuse reports are neglect, according to Hetherington, which she said stems from poverty.

"It's not necessarily that a caregiver is directly, physically or sexually abusing these kids, but they need some sort of assistance to be able to care for their children," Hetherington said.

The report also criticized DFSC for its mismanagement also led to the abuse of foster children.

"More often than not, you will find employees with high burnout rate. They're not being appropriately trained or supervised. They don't know what they're doing" Hetherington said.

WJCL reached out to Georgia DFSC for a comment but never heard back.

I started to respond to this the other night and may never get to it because I have some remarks on it but was so tired and can't now either to focus on this one and make the points I want to, especially more than one and have them and what I mean be shown clearly. Too many cases, behind on really active ones right now, too little time, heavy work life etc. and this one has not been up on the radar for awhile.

So it is hard to sink into and I probably never will get back to but Quinton was not trafficked, I gather the report was way broader than this case. Or apparently not. Also I guess the thing to do would be to read the entire report and I haven't but what does it say about this case specifically?

I hope to get back to that one day and read it but that's doubtful.

This entire set up with bad mom at home and GMA leaving them when I don't think that was allowed is b.s. I suppose it could be said she was not in a home alone with them as stepgrandpa was there and so was mom's bf but then again were they and that meant she never was alone with the or in charge when grandpa probably wasn't charged with their care and mom's bf went to work...

The whole SET UP should not have been allowed imo. GMA should have had the kids and away from the same residence as daughter.

Not fresh on this one but believe I recall just about all of it.

Believe me this doesn't even touch on what I had to say about this but it is a brief bit. Getting into just these agenices, the politics, the positions and where ALL the money that gets thrown to the really goes is its own beast. Of course that isn't touched on I'm sure.

I care it all gets hit and cleaned up but that's uhm another subject. I want more on this one when they relate it to this one. And specifics on what they found in THIS one. Maybe it is in the broader report, I don't know and I know I should read it and find the time but unlikely to happen and that's what happens in this world too, no one can do that in all cases, some don't even care to if they have the time and no one hears about such if the news or someone does not get it out there.

Anyhow that is sideways enough and not going to go there, catching up or trying to quickly on all but I already see now we have something with her talking to cops willingly or was she. And THAT too what is going on in many cases needs to be entirely addressed. Seen it in how many in just the last few weeks. COPS CAN TOO TALK to people if willing without a Miranda. If they have them detained and they cannot leave and want to that is a whole different animal but now we are seeing claims where they seem to be graying it. I am ALL for where they really couldn't leave, asked for a lawyer and were not allowed to leave or questioning I was not ended. That is wrong. However, we are seeing a few that is entirely NOT the case or no reason to think it was.

It also goes to HERE IS WHY IF AN OFFICER, INVESTIGATOR, ETC. YOU ALWAYS, ALWAYS RECORD. Because that will show 199 percent what the truth is.

I think I did a twofer meaning I saw the next post or a glimpse when I came in and tried to get my bearings and now she or her atty is claiming such a thing. So I saved myself a bit of time by reacting on both things and it saves me from reading that one in full which would probably take me on a full tangent about this lately claimed stuff in many cases that no one wants me to go on. Lol.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Quinton Simon’s mom gets trial date in Ga. toddler’s death

The former Burke County resident who’s accused of killing her son, Quinton Simon, has been given a date for a jury trial.

www.wrdw.com

Quinton Simon’s mom gets trial date in Ga. toddler’s death​

The former Burke County resident who’s accused of killing her son, Quinton Simon, has been given a date for a jury trial.

According to the Superior Court of Chatham County, jury selection for Leilani Simon’s trial will begin on Oct. 9.

The jury trial comes almost two years to the day since Simon was last seen alive.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Good, it's time she get convicted.

Not sure some of the others shouldn't also have charges. Grandma should be thanking her lucky stars she's not, and I'm not so sure how involved I think the bf may have been, maybe after the fact, maybe not. None of them were following the rules and the kids shouldn't have been with her as we know.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

“Not a smoking gun”: State wants to use Simon’s prior criminal history, allegations of abuse against son in trial

New motions filed in the Quinton Simon case are giving us an insight as to what evidence may be introduced as the state tries to prove that Leilani Simon is guilty of murdering her toddler.

www.wtoc.com

“Not a smoking gun”: State wants to use Simon’s prior criminal history, allegations of abuse against son in trial​

New motions filed in the Quinton Simon case are giving us an insight as to what evidence may be introduced as the state tries to prove that Leilani Simon is guilty of murdering her toddler.

This filing is the prosecution asking the judge on the case for permission to present certain evidence at the trial.

It’s all evidence that has to do with Leilani Simon’s prior criminal history, circumstances in the house prior to Quinton’s disappearance, and her behavior while police were searching for her son.

WTOC spoke to a local criminal defense attorney that says for this type of evidence, a pre-trial hearing is required.

Much of the evidence presented in the state’s latest motion in the Leilani Simon trial is what’s known as intrinsic evidence which is evidence that can put an alleged crime into context.

“This is evidence that doesn’t necessarily prove parts of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt, but it completes the whole story, it can go to explaining motive,” says Jonah Pine, a local criminal defense attorney.

In this case, the prosecution is asking to introduce several pieces of this type of evidence including evidence of Leilani’s “antipathy” towards Quinton. The motion says that Leilani “never bonded with Quinton” the way she did her two other children.

The motion also brings up evidence of Leilani’s “abuse and neglect of Quinton” saying Quinton’s babysitter told law enforcement that “they had observed bruises on Quinton and that Quinton sometimes seemed not to want to go home” with Leilani.

Leilani’s previous drug use is mentioned, as well as her behavior while law enforcement agencies were searching a landfill for her son.


The hearing on whether this evidence can be admitted into a trial is coming up within the next two months. A trial is scheduled to take place in October. WTOC will continue to cover the case.

 

[GrandmaBear]

I see plenty of reason it should be allowed as it all relates imo but who knows if it will be. Sure hope so and think of COURSE it should be.

I wonder who has the other kids, it sure as heck should not be grandma, she failed already, badly. Trying to recall, there was a brother wasn't there and then a baby or younger one that maybe was the boyfriend's? The two others weren't though if I recall, meaning Quinton and his brother.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

The Trial of Leilani Simon: Hearing addresses what evidence will be allowed in toddler murder case

Leilani Simon will stand trial for the murder of her toddler son in October.

www.wjcl.com

The Trial of Leilani Simon: Hearing addresses what evidence will be allowed in toddler murder case​

Leilani Simon, the Chatham County mother accused of killing her toddler Quentin Simon in 2022, attended a court hearing Friday as her trial date nears.

Authorities allege Simon killed her child, then put his body in a trash bin. His remains were discovered weeks later at a local landfill.

The state submitted seven pieces of evidence Friday, including conversations between Simon and detectives, witnesses and her ex-boyfriend Daniel Youngkin.

They believe this evidence should be included in the trial for the jury to see.

Robert Persse, Simon's defense lawyer, argued that the evidence presented by the state does not address the core issue of the case.

"The ultimate question in this case...is did this defendant commit the crime that’s alleged," he said, "… irrelevant to the ultimate question is all this personal stuff of which, frankly, our position is the state’s offering it just to make her look unstable, and bad."

Judge Tammy Stokes took the evidence under advisement.

The defense did not oppose two other motions to seal redacted information and exclude inadmissible evidence.

Another hearing is scheduled for September 17 to address any remaining issues before the murder trial begins on October 9.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Huh? Sounds kind of dumb really. Who committed it then? Pretty sure they have some damning evidence as to who was home, video, dumpster, not even sure of all but give me a break. And what the heck about this is all "personal stuff'..

To be sure, I even read the link and nothing more in it than in the post.

Of course it relates, and it isn't like they are talking about her and her mom out partying afterwards are they...

I suppose has to go that way but not sure why a judge would hesitate to rule on such.

I'm no sold on the bf either but only to the extent of maybe helping her cover or not being perfect. She killed him. Not a fan of GMA either. But she wasn't there and did not do it.

Maybe it's just news, but his argument sounds pretty ridiculous.

But then, these days ridiculous things for defendants sometimes fly.

JUSTICE FOR QUINTON.

And sorry, grandma, hope the other two are somewhere else and safe.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

It's been 2 years since Quinton Simon died. When will his mother go to trial?

Leilani Simon was arrested after investigators found Quinton's remains in a landfill.

www.wjcl.com

Its been almost 2 years since Quinton Simon died. When will his mother go to trial?​

Saturday marks two years since Quinton Simon, a Savannah 20-month-old, was killed. Prosecutors say his mother did it and, in less than a week, a jury of her peers will decide for themselves.


Leilani was indicted on 19 counts back in December 2022. In it, prosecutors say she beat Quinton to death with an object before throwing his body into a trailer park dumpster.

Fast forward to the present, where Leilani is now just days away from standing trial.

Superior Court Judge Tammy Stokes will preside over the trial, which is set to begin Wednesday morning in Savannah.

 

[GrandmaBear]

I have said more than once that I am not the biggest Vinnie fan but will also say this case doesn't;'t have a ton of attention, it did at the start but not now. And this show starts out with the 911 call. Which I find VERY interesting. Maybe I missed it and it's been linked before, I don't always get time to go into all links but I know I never heard it before just now. Mom's bf is particularly interesting in that I don't think he is buying a word of her crap. I haven't listened to all yet but from the get go, pretty interesiting...

 

[GrandmaBear]

It is actually interesting because real records are being used and don't think too many have covered such. At least I haven't seen it. It's also disgusting how she treated him and his remains. Imo.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Some very hard details. I hope she rots and she rots slowly and no apologies from me for saying that will be coming.

 

[GrandmaBear]

The bf clearly lied about seeing Quinton that morning. He must have a deal I would have to guess.

The second half of this show gets into grandma again and how her rap sheet is even longer and how did she have custody and even with custody, she left these kids in her daughter's care.... Yeah, I'd agree that one has not been addressed nor has how CPS could have granted grandma custody either...