Quinton Simon, 20 months old, went missing from his home in Savannah, Georgia, on October 5. Police have now said finding him is their "highest priority".
Authorities have been scrambling to find missing 20-month-old child, Quinton Simon, who was last seen Wednesday morning at his home in Savannah, Georgia. Quinton's grandma, Billie Jo Howell, made an emotional plea to the public, hoping that someone would come forward with information that would lead them to him. "I want him home. He's just a baby. Please don't stop looking," the grandmother said. His grandfather said, "We just want to know something. We are concerned with his well-being. He's a happy kid. He always had a big smile on his face. We're still hoping and praying."
Police have stated that they are working 18- to 20-hour days in the hopes of finding Quinton Simon alive. According to authorities, the FBI is also aiding with the probe. The child's mother, Lelani Simon, 22, told authorities she last saw him in his playpen at 6 a.m. Wednesday, according to CNN affiliate WJCL. He went missing just after 9 a.m. that day. "I hope he's still alive. We don't have any information to believe he's not," Chatham County Police Chief Jeff Hadley said during a press conference last week. According to CNN station WTOC, the initial report stated that the toddler had wandered off.
Quinton's grandmom has been pleading for Simon's safe return in a series of Facebook posts. "I’m begging if anyone knows anything please help the FBI and our family! #quintonsimon my monkey dew!!" she wrote in one post. Another post reads, "I can’t even being to understand why my family has to endure these horrible times. God I beg of you to please send my baby Quinton home safe. We are all so very afraid. This little boy is smart, silly, the absolute cutest, and most loving. Tommy and I are not ok. Everyday without this little boy is tearing our hearts out of our chest."
According to court paperwork, Billie Jo Howell, Lelani Simon's mother, and her husband have custody of Quinton and his three-year-old sibling. In early September, Howell also requested that Lelani and her boyfriend be removed. Police have not stated whether foul play is suspected in the disappearance of the toddler. “Finding Quinton Simon is our highest priority, and the intensity of our work is as strong as it has been since the day of his disappearance,” police said Saturday in a Facebook post. The police have regularly been posting on Facebook with updates on the toddler's search mission. The police have already investigated the house, the backyard pool, and a nearby pond but have discovered no trace of Quinton. As of Sunday afternoon, no suspects or persons of interest had been identified.
Police announced Sunday that they are re-canvassing specific neighborhoods. "Today we will be re-canvassing some specific areas as we continue to work to find Quinton Simon. We are not in need of volunteers, but want to keep you informed about our efforts to find this little boy."
Anyone with information about the disappearance is urged to visit the Chatham County Police Department's website or the Savannah-Chatham County Crime Stoppers at (912) 234-2020. A cash reward is being offered for information leading to the baby's safe return.
References:
https://www.wsav.com/crime-safety/chatham-county-police-seek-to-locate-missing-20-month-old-child/
Cover Image Source: Facebook/ billie.betterton
