Missing Georgia toddler Quinton Simon’s mother, Leilani Simon, was in court on Monday for a hearing over concerns for the safety of her other two children.
According to WTOC 11, Leilani Simon, along with her mother, Billie Howell, appeared at the Chatham County Juvenile Court in Savannah Monday morning, in connection “with the custody of Quinton’s two siblings.” Howell has custody of both Quinton and one of his siblings, a 3-year-old.
Also in court was the father of one of Simon’s children and that child’s grandfather, who said he was there to support the child and make sure the child’s safety is a top priority.
The court hearing was closed to the public and the records have been sealed, due to a gag order in the case.
Both Simon and Howell left the court building quickly after the hearing and didn’t respond to the media waiting outside.
Leilani Simon made her first public appearance since Quinton Simon went missing today.
She was in Chatham County Juvenile Court for a hearing regarding the custody of her other two children.
Leilani is the only suspect in Quinton's presumed death. Details tonight on @WTOC11 pic.twitter.com/ImvN70YLqI
— Shea Schrader WTOC (@sheaschrader) October 17, 2022
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Simon reported Quinton missing on October 5; she said her current boyfriend saw the child at about 6 a.m. in the family’s Savannah home.
Later, when Simon woke up, Quinton was gone, according to what she told a 911 dispatcher. She made the 911 call shortly after 9:30 a.m., telling the dispatcher she found the door open, although Quinton isn’t able to open the door by himself.
“Thinks someone came in and took him,” the dispatcher told responding officers.
Police launched an extensive search of the area, calling in help from other nearby jurisdictions as well as the FBI. As of October 18, Quinton remains missing but police said earlier this month that the child is likely dead.
Leilani Simon has been named the primary suspect in the child’s disappearance and presumed death, but so far, no charges have been filed against her in the case.
To Report Information on Quinton Simon
- Call 911 or submit a tip to the Chatham County Police Department’s Crime Tip at https://police.chathamcountyga.gov/Tips.
- Submit a tip through the CrimeStoppers online tip portal at https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=757.
- A dedicated tipline has been established for the case at 912-667-3134.
Check back for updates.
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[Featured image: Facebook- Leilani Simon/Chatham County police – Quinton Simon]
