JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office dive team searched a drainage ditch Monday near where 21-month-old Lonzie Barton was reported missing.
JSO said it was searching the ditch near a JEA easement off Old Kings Road based on a tip it received. It said crews has previously searched this ditch, which is near the Ravenwood Apartments where Lonzie lived with his family.
The search concluded just after 2 p.m.
It came two days after Lonzie would have turned 2 years old. The community gathered in Baker County to hold a birthday party for the child and pray for his return.
Lonzie was reported missing on July 24 by his mother's boyfriend, Ruben Ebron.
Ebron and Lonzie's mother, Lonna Barton, are charged with child neglect and lying to police. Ebron also faces other charges related to an alleged escape attempt after his initial arrest.
Both contend they had nothing to do with the boy's disappearance, and neither faces any charges directly relating to that.
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said Barton left Lonzie with Ebron and went to work the night of July 23 even though Lonzie had apparent head injuries and fluid coming out of his ears.
Early the next morning, Ebron called police, saying his car had been stolen with Lonzie inside. Police have said that never happened. Hundreds of law enforcement personnel searched for days for Lonzie, but he has not been found.
A reward of up to $13,200 is available through Crime Stoppers for any tips leading to the recovery of Lonzie's body.