SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC/Gray News) – A jury has convicted Leilani Simon, the woman accused of killing her 20-month-old son and disposing of his body in 2022.
Leilani Simon was charged with felony murder, concealing a body, and lying to police in connection to the death of her son, Quinton Simon. She was found guilty on all charges.
Quinton Simon was reported missing on October 5, 2022. It wasn’t until six days later that Quinton’s mother Leilani was named as the only suspect in his disappearance and death.
On November 18, 2022, Quinton’s remains were found in a Chatham County landfill. Leilani was arrested three days later.
The jury’s verdict comes after eight days of witness testimony.
Simon will be sentenced at a later date. She faces the possibility of life in prison.
Prosecutors say it was a verdict that overcame the lack of physical evidence.
“This was a complex case because we did not have a cause or manner of death in this case because of what happened, so that’s always a concern. But the law enforcement agencies involved did such a good job investigating this case, and we did our best presenting the evidence that they had,” said Chatham County Assistant District Attorney, Jenny Parker.
Jurors were presented with 40 witnesses by the prosecution and almost 100 pieces of evidence that the State said pointed to Simon killing Quinton and throwing his body into a dumpster.
But still, almost six hours of juror deliberation became tense for those involved in the case.
“You don’t take a responsibility like that lightly, so I think they contemplated the evidence, that they were diligent in how they approached it, they took the necessary time to reach the conclusion that they did,” said Chatham County Police Department Chief of Police, Jeff Hadley.
Simon rarely shed tears throughout the trial but was seen crying before being taken away.
Parker says that she believes justice has been served for Quinton and to his mother.
“We can’t undo this. We can’t. But I hope it does give a lot of people out there who have been watching this trial some closure, and some confidence in the justice system,” said Parker.
Leilani Simon’s mother, Billie Howell, was not present for the trial but tells WTOC she feels like justice is served.
Howell responded in a statement to WTOC saying, “Our family is devastated and Quinton deserves justice. We want Quinton home so he can be laid to rest. I hate that I’m not there for Leilani- we love her but do not stand by any of this.”
WTOC asked Leilani Simon’s defense attorneys for comment, which they declined.
The Chatham County Police Department held a press conference following the verdict on Friday. Chief Hadley said in part: “Quinton Simon truly became Chatham County’s child during the weeks that our community was gripped by his disappearance. It is fitting that today, 12 men and women from our county delivered the final measure of justice for little Quinton with their guilty verdict. We hope this brings some measure of peace and comfort to everyone who loved Quinton.”
The Chatham County District Attorney’s Office also released a press statement following the verdict.
“As with every other case involving death or serious injury, particularly with child victims, my condolences go out to Baby Quinton’s family and those who mourn his tragic loss of life”, District Attorney Shalena Cook Jones.
In her statement, Jones acknowledged that while the verdict would not bring Baby Q back, she hopes it will make them more diligent in protecting vulnerable child victims and intervening in cases early where neglect and harm are evident.
“No matter what her sentence will be, this mother will have to live with her actions every single day of her life and that is a prison of its own,” said Jones.
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