Testimony in the trial of a Georgia mother accused of murdering her 20-month-old son Quinton took a startling turn as FBI agents described her accounts as "emotionally shallow" and inconsistent, revealing that her movements were tracked to a landfill where authorities believe she disposed of his body.
The trial resumed Monday against Leilani Simon, who is charged with murdering Quinton in October 2022 and disposing of his body in a dumpster. The prosecution called Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent Robert Corley to testify, who reviewed cell phone records from Leilani, her brother Paul Simon, and her then-boyfriend, Daniel Youngkin.
Corley indicated that Youngkin and Paul Simon's cell phones were located at the 535 Buckhalter Road house on the night and morning before Quinton was reported missing, according to Savannah Morning News.
Meanwhile, Quinton's father, Henry "Bubba" Moss, had his cell phone tracked near the South Carolina-Georgia border. In contrast, Leilani's cell phone was tracked, as revealed by Savannah Morning News, near the Azalea Mobile Home Plaza, where authorities believe she put her son's body in a dumpster. Corley's testimony was supported by another FBI agent who had previously testified.
FBI Special Agent Brad Snider also testified about multiple interviews he conducted during the police investigation. In response to questioning from Chatham County Special Assistant District Attorney Tim Dean, Snider described Leilani Simon's demeanor as "inconsistent" and noted that her responses were "emotionally shallow," as Savannah Morning News indicated.
He detailed his interview with Leilani on October 12, stating her story changed three times, including an admission of "significant" drug use on the night and morning of Quinton's reported disappearance. as reported by Savannah Morning News. She also claimed to have thrown away a garbage bag full of shrimp pasta and admitted she did not pick up Orajel from a friend, contradicting her earlier assurances that the event had taken place.
FBI Special Agent Savannah Solomon testified that when she interviewed Youngkin, he was initially "forthcoming" but later became defensive of Leilani. He ultimately confirmed that he and Leilani Simon stayed in a hotel room on October 8, 2022, which was "bugged" with audio and video surveillance equipment by the FBI.
Solomon further revealed, according to Savannah Morning News, that Leilani texted her, stating she would no longer lie for Youngkin, indicating he was the last person to leave the 535 Buckhalter Road house, where Quinton was last seen. However, Leilani later admitted that her text was merely a "theory."
Solomon stated that she never told Leilani that Quinton was dead but mentioned that he would be found in the landfill.
Leilani Simon reportedly showed no shock at this information, in stark contrast to the emotional response of Billie Jo Howell, Quinton's grandmother and Leilani's mother, who reacted with "horror" and "disbelief" when informed of her grandson's fate.
