JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A little over 10 years after the death of 21-month-old Lonzie Barton, his mother, Lonna Barton, was released from prison Wednesday after serving time on child neglect and drug charges.
RELATED: Mother of Lonzie Barton released from prison after serving time on child neglect, drug charges
Lonzie’s disappearance gripped the Jacksonville community after the toddler was reported missing in July 2015 by Lonna’s then-boyfriend, William “Ruben” Ebron.
But Ebron’s report that his car was stolen with Lonzie inside was part of a ruse to cover up the child’s accidental death, investigators later learned.
Months of searching ended in January 2016 when Ebron led investigators to a wooded area off Interstate 295 in Bayard as part of a plea deal with the State Attorney’s Office.
Both Ebron and Lonna Barton pleaded guilty to charges in connection with Lonzie’s death, and Ebron continues to serve his 20-year sentence.
Ebron eventually admitted that Lonzie accidentally drowned in a bathtub while he and Barton were having sex in another room.
Wanda Ebron, Ruben’s mother, told News4JAX on Wednesday after learning of Lonna Barton’s release that she met little Lonzie just weeks before his death.
“I just know that the picture I have in my mind is Lonzie walking into my garage with his little blonde hair, blue eyes, cowboy boots on,” Wanda Ebron said. “I thought he was the cutest thing ever.”
Wanda Ebron said she does not harbor anger toward Barton but questions why her son’s sentence is significantly longer.
“If he was the one who panicked and had to take the child and drop the child off, his sentence might have been a little bit longer,” she said. “But it should not have been 10 years longer.”
Lonna Barton walked out of the Baker County Detention Facility at 12 a.m. Wednesday, according to the Florida Department of Corrections. She remains on active supervision and probation.
Ruben Ebron’s release date is currently set for Sept. 28, 2037, according to FDOC.