Cops ‘seize new evidence’ in case of missing Quinton Simon day after revealing they ‘don’t know’ where tot’s parents are
INVESTIGATORS have seized new evidence that they believe will "help move forward" with the case of a missing 20-month-old toddler.
Little Quinton Simon went missing on Wednesday when he disappeared from his home in Savannah, Georgia.
On Tuesday, the Chatham County Police Department said it has "seized evidence we believe will help move this case forward, and we're now working to analyze the evidence to see where it leads us."
However, they failed to disclose what evidence was recovered.
The update comes after investigators were spotted "draining" the pool at the family's Savannah home on Monday.
According to WSAV, the sound of a pump running could be heard from the home's backyard.
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"We went back today and re-searched the home where he was last at," Chatman Police Chief Jeff Hadley said.
Although officials initially said no foul play was suspected, Hadley said it's possible the toddler's disappearance could become a criminal investigation.
"We don’t have anything confirmed, so we can’t say anything absolute, but it is fair to say that in our efforts — and the cooperation with the FBI and them providing an abundance of resources to us — that we are looking at the criminal investigation aspect of it as well," he said on Monday.
During the press conference, Hadley revealed that investigators "don't know" where the toddler's parents are located.
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"I don't know where they are currently," Hardley told a group of reporters on Monday.
"I do believe they've been staying at the residence, but physically, right now, as I'm talking to you, I don't know where they are."
According to Hadley, over 40 FBI agents are assisting with the aggressive search for Quinton: “Everybody is being looked at, everybody is being interviewed.”
STRANGE TEXT
Diana McCarta - who babysat little Quinton and his brother for the past six months - revealed that she got a strange text from the boy's mother, Lelani, the day the toddler went missing.
“I’ve been keeping Quinton and Zane for six months. I kept them yesterday, and they went home last night [October 4],” McCarta told WSAV.
“I got a text this morning [October 5] saying they would not be here, would not be babysitting them at 5:29 [am], which was kind of odd because I have them even when she doesn’t work."
Quinton was last seen at around 6am on Wednesday, McCarta says other family members have asked her where Quinton might be.
“And then I get a text at 9am saying have I seen Quinton,” McCarta recalled to the outlet.
“I immediately go to their house. I try to help them look, but they didn’t want that. So, I’ve been just waiting around like everyone else.
“My heart is broken. I’m not his mother. I’m not his family. But I love him very much, and I just don’t know what could happen,” McCarta said.
FAMILY DILEMMA
Court documents obtained by WJCL show the family was at loggerheads before Quinton's disappearance.
Records show Billie Jo Howell, Quinton's grandmother, wanted to remove Lelani, and her boyfriend, Daniel Youngkin, from her home.
The papers claim that the pair have “damaged” Billie Jo’s property and that Lelani allegedly had a history of stealing from the family.
"She hasn't always done the right thing," Billie Jo said of her daughter.
"Sometimes she does really great, sometimes she doesn't. I don't know what to think right now. I don't know what to believe because I don't think anybody ever believes this is going to happen to them.
"I don't know if I can trust her or I don't. I just know I'm hurting, and I want this baby home. He's my baby."
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Billie Jo admitted that she’s been left “hurting” following Quinton's disappearance and stressed that she just wants him to come home.
Quinton’s grandfather said the child’s mother has lied to the family before: "I don’t know. That’s just bad to say, but she just likes to lie,” he told WSAV.