Lonzie Barton family: 'I want to find my baby'

Missing toddler's family in Baker County hold out hope for searchers

In this family photo posted on the Help Find Lonzie Barton Facebook page,Lonna and Christopher Barton are shown, with Lonzie in his mother's lap.

MACCLENNY, Fla. – Even though Lonzie Barton's family lives in Baker County, far from where the toddler disappeared, they are trusting that the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office will get a break in the case in their search for the 21-month-old.

Holding onto hope, Kayla Barton, Lonzie's half-sister, who is in her 20s, is staying positive and pleading for answers to the question of her little brother's whereabouts.

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"I'm hoping someone has him and they are just waiting for the right moment to bring him back to his mom and dad," said Kayla. "I just cannot wait to see his smiling face. It's all I think about, him coming to us happy. I would plea to just please let us know where he is. He needs to be back home. We are heartbroken. If you just would open up, we just want him back home."

In this family photo posted on the Help Find Lonzie Barton Facebook page,Lonna and Christopher Barton are shown, with Lonzie in his mother's lap.

Lonzie and Kayla's father, Chris Barton, has not spoken to News4Jax, but Kayla says he is crushed.

Barton family photo posted on the
Help Find Lonzie Barton Facebook page.
Lonzie is pictured in his mother's lap.

"I called and asked my dad if he heard, and he was heartbroken," Kayla said. "He said, 'Kayla … he's so innocent, I want to find my baby.'"

Even though the family is hurting, they are thankful for the support and continuing efforts in trying to find Lonzie.

"I want to plea that whoever knows Ruben, please get into his heart and make him realize what everybody else is going through," said Kayla. "I want to thank every officer out there, every support that y'all have given, prayers, comments. Thank all for everything you do and y'all are a blessing to our family."

Lonzie's great aunt, Shirley Barton, also said that the family is hurt, worried and just wants to know the location of the baby.

"We just want to find him so we can get closure even if he's not alive," said Shirley. "We miss him and love him and we are thankful for the community for the police, the news, everybody involved. Just keep praying for the family and Chris and Lonna."

A vigil was in Jacksonville Saturday night, but the family is setting up another vigil in Macclenny. The candlelight vigil will take place Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Duck Pond Park on Lawder Street in Macclenny.