Leilani Simon, the Georgia mother convicted of murder in the death of her 20-month-old son Quinton Simon, was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole.
The sentence was handed down on November 21, 2024, by Chatham County Superior Court Judge Tammy Stokes.
Simon, 22, was found guilty of all 19 charges related to her son’s death, which occurred more than two years ago. In addition to the life sentence, Simon received an additional 10 years.
Her sentencing follows a trial where disturbing details about Quinton’s death were revealed.
Quinton Simon was first reported missing in early October 2022, when Simon called 911 claiming her son had disappeared from his playpen.
However, after a thorough investigation, Simon became the prime suspect. Authorities soon discovered Quinton’s body in a landfill, confirming the worst fears.
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Throughout the investigation and trial, Simon maintained her innocence, at one point suggesting her son may have been taken by someone else.
But the evidence pointed to her involvement in the toddler’s tragic death, including allegations of abuse from those close to Simon.
During her trial, several witnesses, including family members and a former babysitter, testified against Simon.
The babysitter claimed Simon was physically abusive, even recounting incidents where Simon pushed Quinton into a pool and neglected to care for him when he was injured.
Simon was convicted on two felony murder counts, malice murder, concealing a death, reporting a false crime, and 14 counts of making false statements to investigators.
At her sentencing, Simon requested that her son’s ashes be given to her brother, Paul Simon. “I want my baby home,” she said in a statement.
Despite the heartbreaking circumstances, Simon expressed a desire to have her son’s remains returned to the family.
The case, which shocked the community, remains a somber reminder of the devastating consequences of child abuse.
As Simon faces life behind bars, Quinton Simon’s family and the community continue to mourn the loss of the innocent child.