Quinton Simon, Leilani Simon.Photo: FBI Atlanta; Chatham County Police

Quinton Simon, Leilani Simon

Quinton Simon’s mother allegedly beat the 20-month-old Georgia boy to death with an “object” in early October while high on a controlled substance, prosecutors say.

A 19-count indictment, filed Wednesday, charges 22-year-oldLeilani Simonwith three counts of murder, as well as making false statements, concealing a death and other counts.

The indictment alleges this “malicious” assault caused Quinton “cruel and excessive physical pain” before his death.

Simon then allegedly “discarded” her son’s remains in a dumpster at the Azalea Mobile Home Plaza, about two miles from her house. Simon allegedly lied to police about the purpose of the trip, telling them she went to the mobile home park to obtain the topical pain reliever Orajel from her friend Misty, per the indictment.

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When initially reporting Quinton missing, Simon claimed her son had vanished from his playpen inside their Georgia home. Early on, authorities believed foul play wasn’t involved. But theChatham County Police Department saidlater that Simon had become the “prime suspect” in the case.

“I’m here,” she told the station. “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.”

Human remains were found in the Superior Landfill in Savannah on Nov. 18. DNA analysis confirmed they belonged to Quinton, per an FBI statement.

It is unclear if Simon had entered a plea to the charges against her. Efforts to contact her lawyer were unsuccessful.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

source: people.com