Quinton Simon: His remains were found in a Georgia landfill. Here's the latest on the case

Update: A previous version of this story erroneously reported that Billie Jo Betterton, also known as Billie Jo Howell, was charged with contempt in connection with Quinton Simon's disappearance. That is incorrect and has been updated in this article. For the most up-to-date information on the grand jury indictment, click HERE >>.

Shortly before 10 a.m. Oct. 5, Leilani Simon reported her 20-month-old son, Quinton Simon, was missing from the Buckhalter Road home owned by Simon's grandparents, Billie Jo and Thomas Howell.

More than a month later, remains later identified as Quinton's, were discovered at a county landfill. A few weeks later, Leilani was charged in connection with the toddler's death. His grandmother was arrested in December.

Quinton's disappearance, the investigation and the landfill search grabbed national attention and prompted some protestors to show up at the family's Georgia home.

Here's what you may have missed and the latest information about the case.

Where did they find Quinton Simon?

A week after the toddler was reported missing, a massive search of a Chatham County landfill started.

Toddler's body foundBones found in Chatham landfill identified as those of missing toddler Quinton Simon

Landfill searchChatham County Police, FBI to search landfill for remains of 20-month-old Quinton Simon

During the search, law enforcement officers combed through 1.2 million pounds of trash.

"The working conditions were grueling and hazardous, and searchers knew that the chances of finding Quinton were low. Historically, the FBI says landfill searches are only successful 5 percent of the time," according to the Police Department.

The search was conducted by multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Chatham County Police, FBI, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Chatham County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

On Nov. 18, partial remains were found at the landfill. Ten days later, the FBI Laboratory Division confirmed the bones were those of Quinton Simon.

Quinton Simon's obituary describes love of music

Quinton Oruta (Ruth) Simon, 21 months old, of Savannah, Georgia, went to Heaven on Wednesday, October 5, 2022.

Quinton was born in Hinesville, Georgia.  He loved TV remotes, phones and tablets.  He loved to watch PJ Mask, Paw Patrol, and Dragon Tales.  He enjoyed chasing his brother and copying everything that his brother did.  He was a bright, happy, fun, smart, loving, little monkey.  He would say “thank-you” no matter what it was, even if he was the one doing something for someone else.  In the mornings, if the music was on, he would dance, smiling, spinning in a circle, and clapping.  Quinton always gave everyone love and hugged their legs.  Every time he did something he was proud of, he would come to whoever was close by and ask for “boom”, which was a little fist bump.

Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Funeral Homes in Pooler was in charge of arrangements.

Mother Leilani Simon charged with malice murder

Chatham County Police arrested Leilani Simon, 22, Nov. 21, and charged her with malice murder, concealing the death of another, making a false report and making false statements in connection with the disappearance of her son, 20-month-old toddler Quinton Simon.

A Chatham County grand jury Dec. 14 issued a true bill of indictment against Leilani Simon for the murder of her son.

IndictmentChatham County grand jury indicts Leilani Simon in Quinton Simon's murder

Chatham County District Attorney Shalena Cook Jones stood outside her office in the Chatham County Courthouse and detailed the 19 felony charges against Simon, 22. Those charges include one count of malice murder, two counts of felony murder, one count of concealing the death of another, one count of falsely reporting a crime, and 14 counts of making false statements during the course of a police investigation.

On Oct. 12, the Chatham County Police Department named Leilani as the prime suspect in Quinton's disappearance.

Leilani was denied bond by a Chatham County judge Nov. 23. She had waived her right to a bond hearing.

Grandmother Billie Jo Betterton charged with contempt

Billie Jo Betterton, 45, the grandmother of Quinton Simon, was arrested and booked into the Chatham County Detention Center Dec. 12. Also known as Billie Jo Howell, Betterton was charged with contempt of court. These charges are not in connection to the indictment of her daughter for the murder of her grandson.

Family conflict reported between Quinton's mother and grandmother

Before Quinton disappeared, there had been conflict between Betterton and her daughter, according to court documents and police reports.

At the time of Quinton's disappearance, Betterton had obtained custody of him and an older sibling.

Family problemsQuinton Simon Update: Search dogs brought to home as Chatham County investigators analyze evidence

In early September, Billie Jo filed a dispossessory notice with the Chatham County Magistrate Court to evict Leilani and her boyfriend Daniel Youngkin from the home on Buckhalter Road.

In April, the Georgia Department of Human Services Division of Child Support Services sued to require Leilani Simon to remit monthly child support payments for her two sons. She failed to appear in Superior Court on Sept. 21, and Judge Lisa Colbert signed the Default Order for Paternity and Child Support stipulating that Leilani Simon pay $150 a month (an amount adjusted for low-income persons).

Quinton Simon's father and other family

Aside from his mother, Leilani Maree Simon, Quinton's obituary listed as survivors: father, Henry Moss, Jr.; a brother and a sister; grandparents, Billie and Tommy Howell; great-grandparents, Vernon and Ruth Sikes, Michael and Evelyn Simon; uncles, Michael Simon, Matthew Simon, Logan Simon, Paul Simon, Joe Swain, and Quinton Betterton.

Quinton's disappearance drew national attention

After Quinton's disappearance, protestors started showing up in front of the family's home, prompting police to implement measures to limit "disruption" on the street.

Protestors arrive at Simon homeQuinton Simon: Chatham police unveiling measures to 'limit disruption' outside family's home

Several protestors were arrested. Some blocked the driveway, while others tried to stop residents from leaving. Another was arrested for banging on windows and doors of the Simon home.

Police said at the time the protests were taking "precious resources" away from the department while it was trying to be "focused on the most massive investigation in the history of CCPD."

"Many of the people claiming to want justice for Quinton have turned his tragic and heartbreaking case into a money-making circus. And, they have made it impossible for the people who live in the area to enjoy the peace and tranquility of their homes. This is unacceptable and has to stop," police said in a release.

What's next in the case?

Quinton Simon’s case and the legal proceedings against his mother are now in the hands of the Chatham County District Attorney’s Office. The Police Department referred questions to District Attorney Shalena Cook Jones.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Quinton Simon: Who's been arrested, what's the latest and what's next?