Just over two years ago, a Georgia woman reported her 20-month-old son missing. On Friday, a Chatham County jury convicted her of murder in the boy’s death.
Investigators believed Leilani Simon killed the toddler before dumping his body in a trash bin, and the jury agreed. On Friday, Leilani Simon was found guilty of all 19 charges against her in the death of her son, Quinton Simon, local news outlets reported. That includes counts of malice murder, felony murder, concealing the death of another and making false statements.
The case made national headlines after the mother reported her toddler missing, launching a massive search for the toddler. The guilty verdict came after a “two-year quest for justice” for Quinton, Chatham County police Chief Jeff Hadley said in a social media post Friday.
South Georgia mother charged with murder in toddler’s death
Every single person who worked for our agency — both sworn officers and civilians — played a part in this case,” Hadley said in a Facebook post . “From detectives who worked more than 48 hours straight with no break for sleep when Quinton was first reported missing, to civilians who put in marathon days making sure we had supplies and support for our landfill search — this case took every bit of physical, mental and emotional strength our employees had to offer.