Florida’s Heartbreak: The Hoaxed Disappearance of Lonzie Barton and the Shocking Truth Unveiled

In the summer of 2015, the small town of Jacksonville, Florida, was gripped by fear and uncertainty as the search for 21-month-old Lonzie Barton stretched on for months. The toddler’s disappearance, initially believed to be a tragic abduction, turned out to be a harrowing hoax that would unravel a story of neglect, deceit, and ultimately, a heartbreaking end.

It all began on a fateful night in July when William “Ruben” Ebron, the boyfriend of Lonzie’s mother, Lonna Lauramore Barton, reported to police that his car had been stolen from outside an apartment complex with the young child still inside. The urgency of the situation prompted an immediate and massive search effort, with officers scouring the area for any sign of the missing toddler.

However, within hours, doubts began to surface. Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Chief Tom Hackney expressed skepticism about Ebron’s account, suggesting that the car theft story might be fabricated. As the search continued, investigators chased down tips and leads, but Lonzie remained missing, leaving the community on edge.

Months dragged on, and the mystery deepened until Ebron finally changed his story. He confessed to detectives that Lonzie had tragically drowned in a bathtub while he and Barton were distracted in another room. To make matters worse, residential security footage later emerged, showing Ebron staging the car theft, further confirming the hoax.

In a desperate bid for redemption, Ebron led authorities to Lonzie’s remains, which were discovered beneath a pile of discarded tires in a wooded area off Interstate 295. The toddler had been missing for 172 days, and his body was too decomposed to determine an exact cause of death. However, an autopsy revealed that Lonzie had suffered multiple rib and skull fractures prior to his demise, painting a grim picture of the neglect he endured.

Ebron pleaded guilty to a slew of charges, including aggravated manslaughter of a child, child neglect, lying to police, and tampering with evidence. He received a hefty 20-year sentence, with additional time for drug charges, and is not projected to be released until September 28, 2037.

Meanwhile, Lonna Barton, Lonzie’s mother, also faced legal consequences for her role in the tragedy. She pleaded guilty to child neglect and lying to police, receiving a five-year sentence for those charges, followed by a consecutive seven-year sentence for unrelated drug offenses. Recently released on parole, Barton is now under supervision, according to VINE records.

The case has left a lasting impact on those involved, including Ebron’s mother, Wanda, who expressed sorrow over her son’s actions. “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,” she recalled fondly. “I thought he was the cutest thing ever.”

Wanda also voiced her concerns about the discrepancy between her son’s sentence and Barton’s, believing that Ebron’s punishment was excessively harsh given the circumstances.

Lonzie’s father, Chris Barton, faced his own legal troubles, being arrested on drug charges after his son’s burial. He was later released in 2018. As for Lonzie’s older sister, custody was granted to her grandmother, providing some semblance of stability amidst the chaos.

The story of Lonzie Barton serves as a sobering reminder of the fragility of life and the devastating consequences of neglect and deceit. As the community continues to heal, the memory of the young toddler who captured their hearts will forever be etched in their minds.