Quinton Simon: Search For Savannah Toddler Leads Police To Landfill

SAVANNAH, GA — Chatham County Police Chief Jeff Hadley said he is confident the remains of Quinton Simon, a 20 month old missing toddler, will be uncovered in a landfill.

Law enforcement began extensively searching for the Savannah toddler in a Chatham County landfill "some time ago" based on evidence, Hadley told media Tuesday.

"I have every belief that we'll find his remains here at the landfill," he said.

Quinton has been missing from his Buckhalter Road home since Oct. 5. An Amber alert was not issued because the case did not meet a particular criteria and there were no signs of abduction.

Police named the toddler's mother as the main suspect on Oct. 13. Hadley confirmed Tuesday she is still the prime suspect but no one has been charged in the case yet in efforts to not jeopardize it.

"We still have work to do," Hadley said. "We still have an investigation to do."

Hadley said he believes Quinton was "placed in a specific dumpster at a specific location" and taken to the landfill.

Will Clark, senior supervisory resident agent in charge of the FBI’s Savannah and Brunswick offices, said it is uncertain how long it will take authorities to scour a particular portion of the landfill.

The entire landfill is not being searched, Clark said. Experts have been brought in from other areas, including Atlanta, to assist.

He said several days of planning have gone toward preparing for the landfill search.

"This will not be quick, it will not be easy and the outcome is uncertain," Clark said.

He added authorities did not want their investigation to "end up at this point, but the evidence has taken us here."

Hadley announced on Oct. 11 that new evidence had been gathered in the case, but authorities are not sharing details of the evidence.

Once hopeful of locating Quinton alive, Hadley said the case has taken its toll on police but that his department remains committed.

"We want justice for Quinton just like everybody else," he said.