Leilani Simon, who killed a 20-month-old son, wants his remains released

Leilani Simon was sentenced to life in prison on charges related to her son’s murder Thursday, and she wants her son’s remains given to her brother.

Officials found Leilani’s 20-month-old son, Quinton Simon, dead at the Waste Management Landfill in Chatham County, Georgia, in 2022. Officials combed through 1.2 million pounds of trash over 30 days searching for the missing child.

Simon was convicted of 19 charges last month, including malice murder, felony murder, concealing the death of another, falsely reporting a crime and making a false statement.

Her sentencing was at the Chatham County Courthouse. Judge Tammy Stokes presided over the case.

Stokes sentenced Leilani to life with the possibility of parole plus 10 additional years.

“It is clear that the life and death of little Quinton Simon affected many, many individuals, but also society as a whole,” Stokes said before handing down the sentence.

Prosecutors recommended a sentence of life in prison without parole plus 65 years and a $117,000 fine. The defense recommended a life sentence with the possibility of parole.

When asked if she would go to court, Leilani declined. She also declined to testify at her trial.

However, Leilani responded to questions about the release of her son’s remains. She expressed her wish for the remains to be released to her brother, Paul Simon.

“I want my baby home,” Leilani said.

At the sentencing, Chatham County Police Detective Marian Lemmons spoke about various theories Simon proposed to explain his son’s disappearance.

“She started mentioning random vehicles that had been following her all night or had stopped in front of her house, just trying to raise suspicion,” Lemmons said.

Lemmons said Simon also claimed at various times that Quinton’s father, Henry “Bubba” Moss, and babysitter, Michelle McCarta, may have been involved in the disappearance.

When the prosecution asked Lemmons if Simon ever expressed any reluctance or hesitation to implicate these individuals, she said no.

The defense challenged Lemmons, asking whether putting out a theory that doesn’t pan out makes someone a liar. She said no.

“I think it shows her state of mind underneath it all, and her lack of responsibility and disdain for her child,” Lemmons said.

Talea McCarta, Michelle’s daughter, spoke of her family’s love for Quinton.

“Quinton was like a little brother to me,” Talea said.

Talea said Quinton often spent time at her house and she misses him every day. She said she wishes Leilani would have asked her family for help.

“My mom would have taken Quinton in a heartbeat,” Talea said. “It would have been without hesitation. Quinton, it was like he was blood to us.”

Her brother Paul said he never saw any evidence that Quinton had been abused.

“She was always pretty fair to him. I never saw her hit him,” Paul said. “She wanted to yell at him, but I mean, everyone gets frustrated.”

He asked the judge for some leniency in her sentencing.

“She’s going to spend time in prison, but at the same time, she’s still extremely young, and no matter what it looks like at the end of the day, she’s still my sister. And I feel that even though she was convicted of what she was convicted of, she still deserves a chance, even if it’s later in her life, to have an opportunity to still live her life,” Paul said.

Leilani became emotional at several points during the case, including her stepfather’s testimony.

“I just wanted to pray that one day she would be able to walk among us. I mean, I don’t want to be here, I’m getting old, but that you would at least give her one more chance at life in instead of just putting her away and throwing the key away,” said Thomas Howell, Leilani’s stepfather.

Leilani’s mother, Billie Jo Howell, also spoke at the event. She said her daughter “deserved better.”

“I should have been a better mother and a better grandmother,” said Billie Jo.

Billie Jo said she will continue to support her daughter.

“I love you and we’re going to get through this because I raised you to know that I love you unconditionally,” Billie Jo said. “And today I’m not putting conditions on it because I love you, Leilani.”

Leilani’s friend and aunt also spoke at the sentencing.

Leilani was accused of assaulting her son with an unknown object before disposing of the body in a dumpster. Officials arrested her two days after Quinton’s body was found.

Leilani’s boyfriend, Danny Youngkin, said he last saw Quinton alive around 6 p.m. 6 a.m. on October 5, 2022. Leilani then reported Quinton missing at 9. She told officials she thought someone had entered his room and taken him.

The trial began with jury selection on October 9. Opening statements began on October 14.

The prosecution called 36 witnesses to testify as they presented their case. The defense called no witnesses.

Jury proceedings began on October 24 after closing arguments. The jury deliberated for two hours before being excused for the night. The deliberations continued the next day, and the verdict was announced just after 2:30 p.m. local time.

During closing arguments, prosecutors showed videos, cell phone records and footage from police body cameras to support their case.

“She might be calculating, she might be manipulative, but she’s not necessarily that smart,” said Chatham County Special Assistant District Attorney and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tim Dean. “She doesn’t understand that when a child goes missing, they pull out. She seriously underestimated and didn’t understand the capabilities of people like the Chatham County Police Department.”

In his closing statement, defense attorney Martin Hilliard said prosecutors did not present enough evidence to prove their case.

“We said at the outset that most, if not all, of the state’s cases were based on speculation and character assassination,” Hilliard said. “And we sat here for an hour and 28 minutes listening to Mr. Dean say exactly that.”

Chatham County Assistant District Attorney Jenny Parker made a rebuttal argument.

“Leilani Simon is not a mother; she is a monster,” Parker said.

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Update 11/21/2024 2:06 PM ET: This story has been updated with more information.

Update 11/21/2024 2:49 PM ET: This story has been updated with more information.

Update 11/21/2024 3:24 PM ET: This story has been updated with more information.

Update 11/21/2024 3:47 PM ET: This story has been updated with more information.