JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A considerate co-worker and a nice neighbor.
That's how those who worked with and lived near Lonna Barton are describing her as they pray that her son, Lonzie, is found safe.
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The toddler disappeared late Thursday night or early Friday morning while William Ruben Ebron Jr., Barton's boyfriend, was watching Lonzie and his 5-year-old sister while Barton was at work at Wacko's Gentleman's Club, where she dances.
Right now, investigators say Barton, 25, is with her 5-year-old daughter and is working with police to help find her 21-month-old son.
One of Barton's Ravenwood Apartments neighbors, who asked not to be identified, said she never saw any issues when Barton was with Ebron. She said they were always friendly, and she even frequently saw Ebron with the children in the car.
Barton's coworkers are joining others in praying for Lonzie's safe return and are also organizing a fundraiser to help the young mother (pictured right, holding Lonzie, with Lonzie's father, Christopher Barton, in a family photo posted to a Facebook page created to help get the word out about Lonzie's disappearance).
"She's always happy, bubbly. She's happy to be here," said Ellise Perbtani, who worked with Barton at the club for the last few months. "I just remember the first time she introduced herself to me and she came and sat by me. She was just sweet. She didn't have anything to do at the time and she was trying to start conversation, and that's just not something you see a lot in this environment."
Perbtani said Lonzie's disappearance has rocked those who work with her.
As the search stretched on, with authorities pointing to Ebron as a suspect, Perbtani and others at Wacko's knew they wanted to do something to help Barton.
Grigoriy Marzoyev and Wacko's management decided to start a fundraiser.
They will match every donation customers or employees make to Barton and her family.
They said it's just about helping an employee who needs it.
"She's worked here on and off. We never had any problems with her. She seemed considerate, very responsible," Marzoyev said. "We didn't expect nothing like this to happen. It's caught all of us off guard."
Perbtani said the fundraiser is the least they can do.
"It gives us a sense ... that we can do something, because it's difficult sitting at home knowing what's going on and just feeling helpless, like there is nothing you can do," Perbtani said.
Donations can be made at Wacko's, at 3701 Emerson St. in Jacksonville. For more information, call 904-399-1110.
The Department of Children and Families is investigating to determine what is best for Barton's daughter. Officials with DCF said they know this is a difficult time for the family, and they want to be respectful and keep in mind that the girl could have lost a sibling.