CHATHAM COUNTY, Ga. (WSAV) — The Chatham County Police Department (CCPD) has arrested Leilani Simon, the mother of missing Georgia toddler Quinton Simon.
The 22-year-old has been charged with murder in connection with the disappearance and death of her 20-month-old son, who hasn’t been seen since early October.
Police say Simon was taken into custody on Monday and has been transported to the Chatham County Detention Center where she will be held as she awaits a bond hearing.
In a Facebook post, police said they do not anticipate making any further arrests in the case.
On October 5, Simon reported her son missing from their Savannah, Georgia home, prompting a massive search effort.
Initially, Simon told authorities the boy’s father had taken their son. A few hours later, police confirmed the father was not involved, Nexstar’s WSAV reports.
On October 12, one week after Quinton was reported missing, Chatham County Police told WSAV the boy was believed to be dead. Simon was named a prime suspect at the time. The next day, Police Chief Jeff Hadley told WSAV they had obtained evidence that Quinton is dead.
Authorities began searching the Waste Management landfill in Chatham County shortly after. Hadley said they believe Quinton’s body was thrown in a dumpster and transported to the landfill.
Police were still searching that landfill last week.
“We have asked the teams on this search to endure the physical, mental and emotional burden of reporting to this landfill day after day – knowing that the chances of finding Quinton’s remains are low,” a Facebook post made by the police department on November 14 reads. “At this point, we do not have a scheduled end date for the landfill search.”
This story is developing.