Missing Georgia toddler Quinton Simon, who had been missing since October 5, is believed to be dead, police said.
His mother, 22-year-old Leilani Simon, has been identified as the prime suspect in his disappearance, the Chatham County Police Department confirmed on Wednesday.
“We are saddened to report that CCPD and the FBI have notified Quinton Simon’s family that we believe he is deceased. We have named his mother, Leilani Simon, as the prime suspect in his disappearance and death,” police said on Twitter.
“We know that thousands of people around the world will be heartbroken by this news, and we share your sorrow,” the post added.
According to reports, the youngster was last seen on October 5 at around 6 am.
He was reported missing a few hours later.
Leilani claimed that when she woke up, she couldn’t find her son. Her boyfriend, Danny Youngkin, said to police that he had last seen Quinton at 6 am.
Police said that they are now investigating Quinton’s disappearance as a criminal matter.
Diana McCarta, one of the boy’s babysitters, said she received a text message at 5:30 am telling her that she didn’t need to watch over him that dy.
That same morning, she received a message from Quinton’s grandmother asking if she had seen the youngster.
“I got a text at 9 o’clock saying, ‘have you seen Quinton?’” McCarta said.
“I immediately go to their house and try to help them look, but they didn’t want that. So I have just been waiting around like everyone else.”
Reports said that the grandmother, Billie Jo Howell, had legal custody of Quinton and his brother. She previously spoke of how Leilani “didn’t always do the right thing.”
A week before Quinton vanished, his mother was ordered by the state to pay child support for the boys.
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