Deputies on missing Fla. toddler: 'Found nowhere you'd want a child to be'

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Remains were found during the search for a missing Florida toddler, according to the Jacksonville’s Sheriff’s Office.

Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams and State Attorney Angela Corey announced during a news conference Monday afternoon that the remains were found in a wooded area and that they believe they are those of 21-month-old Lonzie Barton.

"It is a very sad day when we find these remains we believe to be Lonzie's, but it is the first step in justice," said Chief Tom Hackney. "The child was located in an area nobody would want a child to be."

The remains were in a "garbage heap" in a wooded area after the boyfriend of the child's mother led them to the site, Hackney said. It was about 9 miles from the apartment where the boy was last seen alive.

Raw: Sheriff's office speaks out after remains of missing toddler found

“The fact that we were able to bring some justice for Lonzie, is what I'm most proud,” said Williams.

No cause of death has yet been determined and a medical examiner still has to positively identify the remains, Corey and Williams said.

Deputies had been searching the area since Sunday night.

Ruben Ebron, 32, the prime suspect in Lonzie's disappearance, was brought to the State Attorney’s Office by officers.

Lonzie disappeared in July. His mother, 26-year-old Lonna Lauramore Barton, and Ebron, her boyfriend, were accused of child neglect.

Barton pleaded guilty last week to child neglect and lying to police and agreed to testify against Ebron. The judge has not yet decided whether she can do so, however.

Ebron's trial was supposed to start Monday morning, but was postponed when he waived his right to a speedy trial.

A hearing is scheduled for Jan. 19.

Corey said new charges are possible for both.

Ebron's attorneys and prosecutors declined to comment Monday.

Barton's attorneys also said they could not yet comment on the developments.

Last week, Barton told the judge that Ebron had dealt drugs every day of their relationship.

She acknowledged leaving Lonzie and his 5-year-old sister with Ebron while she worked as a dancer at a local bar.

According to court records, Ebron called police July 24, saying the boy had been strapped inside a car seat when he stepped back into his apartment to get something.

While he was inside, Ebron said someone stole the car with the child inside.

Police found the car a short distance away, but there was no sign of the child.

Investigators at the time said Ebron was lying about the abduction and car theft, and that he likely knew the child's whereabouts.

Barton's cousin, Sabra Rhue, arrived at the search site Monday to see if the remains were Lonzie's.

She said she is not close to her cousin, but has been devastated by the toddler's disappearance.

"For six months I've been thinking of Lonzie," she said. "It's going to be a long process for me. Extremely hard."

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