Savannah Mother on Trial for the Alleged Murder of Her 20-Month-Old Son
Savannah, Georgia—In a tragic and emotionally charged case, Leilani Simon, a mother from Savannah, is facing trial for the alleged murder of her 20-month-old son, Quinton Simon. Opening statements began on Monday, marking the start of a trial that has captured the attention of the entire state. Simon, who stands accused of multiple charges including malice murder, felony murder, and concealing the death of another, has pleaded not guilty.
On October 5, 2022, Simon made a frantic 911 call, reporting that her young son had gone missing from his playpen inside their home in the outskirts of Savannah. The initial stages of the investigation led to widespread searches in the neighborhood and surrounding areas. For days, Chatham County police officers, alongside FBI agents, combed through every possible lead, hoping for a miracle. However, as days passed without any sign of Quinton, the tone of the investigation took a grim turn.
By October 18, Chatham County Police Chief Jeff Hadley announced the devastating news: investigators believed that little Quinton was no longer alive. Even more shocking was the revelation that Leilani Simon had become the prime and only suspect in her son’s disappearance. Soon after, authorities focused their search efforts on a nearby landfill, where they spent weeks sifting through tons of trash in a desperate attempt to recover the toddler’s remains. On November 18, 2022, after more than a month of relentless searching, investigators made a gruesome discovery: human bones that DNA testing confirmed belonged to Quinton Simon.
Prosecutor Tim Dean wasted no time in laying out the state’s case against Leilani Simon. In his opening statement, Dean painted a picture of Simon’s tumultuous personal life at the time of her son's disappearance. According to Dean, the relationship between Simon and her son was strained, contrasting sharply with how she treated her other two children. "She treated Quinton differently, and not in a good way," Dean told jurors, highlighting that the child was neglected and subjected to an environment of dysfunction and instability.
The prosecutor went on to describe Simon’s tumultuous relationship with her boyfriend, Daniel Youngkin, suggesting that this troubled dynamic further contributed to her emotional instability. On the night leading up to Quinton’s disappearance, Dean alleged that Simon had been using cocaine and Percocet, substances that likely impaired her judgment and fueled her actions. According to the prosecution, Simon killed her son, disposed of his body in a dumpster, and then went to bed as though nothing had happened. Dean’s words were chilling: "She killed him, her own son, got in her car with his body, drove to a dumpster, and threw him away like a piece of trash."
To strengthen their case, the prosecution presented video evidence from Simon’s police interviews. During these interviews, Simon gave inconsistent accounts of what had transpired that fateful night. Initially, she claimed that she had no recollection of what had happened to her son. Later, Simon admitted that she might have blacked out from drug use, further muddling the already complex narrative. In a particularly telling moment from one of these interviews, Simon confessed to her struggle with cocaine use, admitting, "I will never touch cocaine again. I become angry and impulsive when I'm on it."
However, despite Dean’s detailed recounting of the events, the prosecution has yet to present clear forensic evidence explaining how Quinton was killed. The child’s remains were too decomposed when discovered to determine the exact cause of death, a point that has been noted by the defense.
In stark contrast to the prosecution’s lengthy and detailed opening statement, Simon’s defense attorney, Robert Persse, spoke for just three minutes. Persse asserted that the state’s case is built on "rumor and speculation" rather than hard evidence. He warned the jury that the evidence presented would not be sufficient to support the accusation that Leilani Simon murdered her child. "The core conclusion is that Leilani Maree Simon murdered her child. The evidence will simply not support that bold conclusion," Persse declared.
As the trial progresses, testimony from law enforcement officials and individuals close to the family is expected to play a significant role. One of the prosecution’s first witnesses was Sgt. Bobby Stewart, the officer who responded to Simon’s 911 call on the day Quinton was reported missing. Stewart testified about Simon’s demeanor when he arrived on the scene, noting that her behavior seemed inconsistent with that of other parents in similar situations. When asked if Simon’s demeanor aligned with other missing child cases he had handled, Stewart responded, "No sir, I didn't."
Further testimony is anticipated from additional members of the Chatham County Police Department, as well as Quinton’s babysitter and her daughter, both of whom are expected to provide insight into the family’s dynamics.
As the trial continues, the prosecution will need to convince the jury beyond a reasonable doubt that Leilani Simon is responsible for her son’s tragic death. Meanwhile, the defense will seek to cast doubt on the state’s narrative, arguing that there is insufficient evidence to support the charges. This case is one that has shocked the Savannah community and beyond, and the outcome will undoubtedly have lasting repercussions for all those involved.
