JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Attorneys defending Ruben Ebron and Lonna Barton on charges related to the disappearance of 21-month-old Lonzie Barton were provided evidence collected by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.
Both are charged with child neglect and providing false information to police. Both have pleaded not guilty.
While News4Jax has requested a full copy of the evidence provided to the defense, the court filing that lists the "supplemental discovery exhibit" includes a quote attributed to Ebron saying he "could see why people kill their kids and run into a river with their car."
Ebron, Lonna Barton's boyfriend who was watching Lonzie at the time, is considered by police the prime suspect in the toddler's disappearance and presumed death.
Ebron was caring for the boy and his 5-year-old sister the night of July 23 while Lonna Barton was at work. Ebron called 911 early the next morning to say someone stole his car with Lonzie inside. Police said they obtained surveillance photos showing Ebron ditching the car a few streets away and believe his whole story is a lie.
According to the State Attorney's Office, the list of discovery evidence includes recordings of the 911 calls, statements by the defendants to detectives, crime scene photos, audio of phone calls made from both the Duval and Baker county jails, the investigations by the Florida Department of Children and Families and voice mail messages from Ebron to his ex-girlfriend before Lonzie's disappearance.
The State attorney's Office said Ebron commented that his former girlfriend "might end up dead in a ditch" and stated that injunctions "never stopped me" in the past because "all that s--- is a piece of paper."
Lonna Barton is out of jail on bond. Police added more charges against Ebron, including attempted escape, and he is held without bond.
Lonzie's body has not been recovered. There's a reward of $13,200 for information that leads to him. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 866-845-TIPS.