While the child has been missing for four weeks, and the Chatham County Police Department and others have been digging through “thousands of tons of garbage” in a landfill, authorities put out a statement Wednesday saying that it is possible he may not be found.
“We knew going into this landfill search, the odds of recovering Quinton’s remains were low,” the department wrote on Facebook and Twitter. “Most landfill searches do not end in a recovery due to many factors including volume of trash to search and compression of the debris, however, we stay focused.”
“The landfill search has been a task more grueling than anyone could imagine,” added the post. “We would like to thank the dedicated Chatham County Police Department, FBI, GBI and Chatham County Sheriff’s Office personnel who have gone to that site day after day – determined to find Quinton and to find answers.”
Quinton Simon.Chatham County Police Department
The police added that the boy’s mother, Leilani Simon, 22, remains the prime suspect, stating that “everything still points” to his remains being recovered in the landfill.
She was previously named as the prime suspect after her20-month-old son went missingfrom their Buckhalter Road home in Savannah on Oct, 5, although no charges have been filed against her. The child was reported missing around 9 a.m. the morning of his disappearance after Quinton’s family realized he was gone at 6 a.m. He was wearing a light blue Sesame Street shirt and black pants.
“We want him back in our arms, holding us. That’s what we want,” she added.
Previously, Chatham County Police Chief Jeff Hadley told reporters that police believe Quinton’s body was put in a trash bin and laterdumped at the landfill, according to theSavannah Morning News.
While many have aided in the search, other locals have since picketed outside the family home in Georgia, where four people were arrested for either blocking the home’s driveway or banging on the windows earlier this month, perWTOC. TheNew York Posthas since reported that Leilani and her mother, Billie Jo Howell, werespotted at a bar on Tybee Island. The mother denies her involvement in her son’s disappearance.
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Chatham County Police Chief Jeff Hadley speaks at a press conference about the search for missing toddler Quinton Simon.Uncredited/AP/Shutterstock
“I’m here,” she told WTOC. “I’ve been here every day since this. I’m not running and I’m not hiding. And if something does come up that I am at fault, I will take myself to that police station.”
“We would also like to thank the many people – both here at home and around the world – who have offered support and encouragement during these last four weeks,” Chatham County Police Department continued in it’s post. “We appreciate every word and act of kindness for our department and everyone who is working so hard on this case.”
The Chatham County Police Department urges anyone with information on the boy’s whereabouts to contact them at (912) 652-6940.
source: people.com
