The mother of a missing US toddler has been charged with his murder after his lifeless body was found in a landfill. Police announced the arrest of 22-year-old mother Leilani Simon on Monday after her son, Quinton, went missing last month and she herself reported him missing.
"This afternoon Chatham County Police Department detectives arrested 22-year-old Leilani Simon and charged her with first degree murder, concealing the death of another person, false reporting and making false statements in connection with the disappearance and death of her son. her 20-month-old Quinton Simon," authorities said.
Police Chief Jeff Hadley said Simon has been the only suspect since the child was first reported missing.
The toddler was reported missing by his mother on October 5 this year and Simon claimed someone had abducted him at around 9am that day. Meanwhile, the mother of the perpetrator of the serious crime reportedly told the police that she never trusted her daughter.
Police confirmed that human remains had been found in a landfill after a month-long search on Friday. An FBI lab confirmed the remains were human. He said: “Further tests, including DNA analysis, are being carried out and we have every reason to believe that this will confirm that the remains are Quentin's.
"This is a devastating development for everyone who loved Quinton, for the many people who knew him after his disappearance, and for our department."
Police said Simon is now being transported to the Chatham County Detention Center to await a hearing and they do not anticipate making any further arrests in connection with the case.
FBI Special Agent Will Clark added that what happened to Quinton was "unthinkable" but said it could be "days before we have the final results" of the DNA test.