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Lonzie Barton’s Remains Have Reportedly Been Found

By Chelsea Hoffman
Published on: 13:58 PST, Jan 11, 2016

The search for a missing Florida child Lonzie Barton has been concluded, according to authorities in Jacksonville. This development comes after First Coast News reported that Ruben Ebron led law enforcement officials to a location where human remains were discovered. What could this mean for the case authorities are investigating, and who will ultimately go down for the death of this child?

It has been 149 days since 21-month-old Lonzie vanished under mysterious circumstances. Over the course of the span of the search, authorities in Jacksonville, Florida have focused on one suspect: Ruben Ebron. Just after 4:00 p.m. on Monday, the sheriff’s office hosted a news conference, which confirmed that Ebron had contributed to the discovery of the toddler’s dead body.

First Coast News also reports that Ruben Ebron took a plea deal, which involved him leading authorities to the location where Lonzie’s body was hidden. He is expected to enter a plea of guilty to a count of aggravated manslaughter, but what does that mean about the story behind the death of Lonzie Barton?

While the news of the discovery circulates, social media is lighting up with reactions to the details that surround it. Most people are expressing sadness that a toddler has been found dead after months of searching. Meanwhile, others are scoffing at the idea that Ruben Ebron may only be slapped with manslaughter charges. Nonetheless, no details have been established as to what exactly happened to Lonzie.

WTLV reports that court documents have been released, which indicate that Lonzie Barton was already dead before he was even reported missing. So these newly released details are beginning to shed light on a confusing and sad case. The documents revealed that cadaver dogs detected the “presence of the odor of decomposition” by the driver’s side of Ebron’s vehicle. The documents also reveal that Ebron told authorities that nobody sought medical attention to a head injury the toddler had suffered. He reportedly recalled that Lonzie was drooling blood and was refusing to eat in the days before he was reported missing.


When Lonzie Barton was reported missing, Ruben Ebron told authorities that he was kidnapped while his car was being stolen by thieves. The car was eventually found abandoned, with no sighting of Lonzie. Ebron quickly became the prime suspect in the disappearance of the Florida child.

As for Lonzie’s mother, Lonna Barton, no reports are indicating whether or not she will stand accused of failing to seek medical care for her son, if what Ruben Ebron said is the truth. If Ruben Ebron is telling the truth, then what else could have been revealed to law enforcement officials? It’s likely that the public may have to wait for an autopsy before those questions are answered.

[Photo via Twitter]

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