Search for missing toddler enters sixth day
The search for a missing Savannah toddler is now in its sixth day and there are still more questions than answers.
SAVANNAH, Ga. – Monday marks the fifth day since 20-month-old Quinton Simon was reported missing from his home on the Georgia coast. Quinton’s disappearance has garnered national attention at the time due to the many questions that still surround the case.
The toddler was reported missing from his home on Buckhalter Road where he lives with his mother, her boyfriend, grandparents and two other children last Thursday morning. A massive search was launched almost immediately. The Chatham County Police Department quickly reached out to the FBI for help. On Monday, more than 40 agents from the Savannah and Brunswick offices, as well as agents from specialized FBI units such as the Child Abduction Rapid Deployment Team, were on the job.
Chatham County Police Chief Jeff Hadley said Monday they would continue to aggressively investigate the case.
“I want to assure everyone that we will continue to use all investigative resources at our disposal to locate little Quinton,” Chief Hadley said during an afternoon news conference.
Quinton Simon (Chatham County Police Department)
The Chief said law enforcement executed multiple search warrants, conducted multiple interviews and used as much technology as possible to find answers, but more importantly to find Quinton. He said nothing is out of the question.
“Everyone is being looked at, everyone is being questioned, everyone who has been in contact with Quinton in the recent days of his disappearance is being looked at, is being questioned and that’s a tremendous amount of work,” the chief said.
The boss also said this is still a missing person case and no suspects have been named, including the biological father, who does not live with the child.
During Monday afternoon’s press conference, he declined to speculate as to why Quinton’s family had not publicly issued a statement or request for the toddler’s safe return.
The chief said there was still no evidence of a kidnapping. A Levi’s Call, Georgia’s Amber Alert System, was not activated as a result.
Chief Hadley also addressed the growing online speculation as the case receives wider coverage.
“Well we have to obey the Constitution, we have to obey the law because we want to make sure we’re doing it right,” the chief said, adding that he doesn’t want to lose any evidence if the investigation leads to any criminal charges.
Recent requests for the initial 911 call and body cam video of responding officers were also denied based on this factor. The boss added that it can be frustrating, but investigators have to work within the law to get this right.
On Monday, investigators continued to target specific areas.
“We returned today and re-searched the house he was last in,” the chief said.
Chief Hadley said he believes investigators would work through at least the week before re-evaluating the case. He believes they are far from exhausting all possible leads.
In the meantime, he said, keep everyone on deck searching.
“They are tired but determined and I couldn’t be prouder of them. They’ve been working 18-hour days with the FBI since last Thursday morning,” he said.
When asked by reporters if he thinks they will find Quinton, Chief Hadley simply replied, “I think we will, I do.”
Quinton was last seen in a light blue Sesame Street t-shirt and black pants.
They’re asking anyone with credible information to call the detectives at 912-667-3134. Anyone who thinks they have seen Quinton is asked to call 911 immediately.
