Attorney: Lonzie Barton's sister was in the car when body was dumped

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The mother of Lonzie Barton was sentenced to prison on Friday in connection with her son’s disappearance in Duval County Court.

Lonna Lauramore Barton pleaded guilty in January to charges of child neglect and giving false information to police. The judge sentenced Lauramore Barton to the maximum of five years in prison with a credit of 169 days served, plus fines.

Lauramore Barton is not a candidate for probation because of unrelated drug charges in Baker County.

The parents of Ruben Ebron, Lauramore Barton's boyfriend, showed for the sentencing.

"I'm never gonna dispute my son had some involvement but he wasn't alone" said William Ebron Sr. "True justice for this baby would be equal amount."

Lauramore Barton's parents were also in court for the hearing. However, no witnesses testified on either side.

Lauramore Barton's attorney said she bought fever reducer as well as eye and ear drops the day before Lonzie disappeared. The attorney also said she planned to take him to the doctor the day he went missing.

Lonzie disappeared on July 24.

State Attorney Rich Mantei said photos on Ebron's phone showed a serious abdominal would that would potentially be deadly and photos of multiple injuries to the head.

Lauramore Barton's attorney said she lied about being pregnant because she thought it would make Ebron tell where Lonzie was located. She can't have any more children because of a surgery she had after Lonzie was born, attorneys said.

Lonzie's remains were found in the Bayard area in January after Lauramore Barton’s boyfriend, Ruben Ebron, led authorities to the remains after she pleaded guilty in exchange for testimony against Ebron. Ebron told officials Lonzie was locked in a bathroom and drowned while they were intimate.

The State Attorney said Lauramore Barton and Ebron have different versions of what happened to Lonzie, but neither can be disproved by evidence.

Attorneys said Ebron traumatized Lonzie Barton's sister when he made the girl ride in the car when Ebron dumped the toddler's body.

Mantei said an autopsy showed that Lonzie had seven healing rib fractures. The defense attorney said Lauramore Barton took Lonzie to the doctor after his sister pushed him down the stairs.

Ebron pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter and is serving a 20-year sentence.

Lauramore Barton and Ebron also face unrelated drug charges in Baker County.

Cox Media Group