Ruben Ebron entered a statement in court Friday after he was sentenced to prison in relation to the death of Lonzie Barton.
Lonzie disappeared on July 24. The body believed to be that of Lonzie's was recovered in January.
Ebron was sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to aggravated battery in relation to Lonzie's death.
Ebron’s statement:
"Judge Bordello, thank you for allowing me to make this statement.
"I would like to apologize to William and Wanda Ebron, my parents, and Debra and Lonzie Lauaramore, Lonna's parents.
"You raised us better than this, you did no wrong, yet this has affected you so much and for that I am sorry. None of you deserve the public scrutiny that this brought.
"I know our families will be forever be tied together and not in a way we had hoped for. Nobody dreams that this will ever happen to them or knows exactly how they would react if it does nor does any parents want to believe it ourselves but it happened and both Lonna and I were both involved. This was a tragic accident made far worse by our horrible decision making. All we can do now is pay for the mistakes we have made and hopefully learn from them.
"To Jessica; my children Shania, Trey and Michael and to Landon and Lilly I know you have been through far too much because of our actions and I am sorry. I regret not being able to be the partner, father and friend you deserved. I hope my efforts over the past four weeks and this plea today provide some measure of closure to everyone involved including the Jacksonville and Macclenny communities.
"And I apologize most of all to Lonzie Arin Ray Barton we failed to provide you the care you needed and I failed to protect you from the harm of others. I have and will continue to ask for forgiveness for what I did and what I failed to do. You were so young and you experienced far too much in your short life. You've touched so many lives but you were taken from us too soon. Baby man, may you finally rest in peace.
"Sincerely, Ruben William Ebron Jr."