MACCLENNY, Fla. – Baker County files new charges against the parents of the toddler who disappeared in Jacksonville on July 24, accusing them with additional counts of selling the synthetic drug Molly.
The new counts of possession of a synthetic narcotic with intent to sell comes one two days after the Lonna Lauramore Barton, 25, and her husband, Christopher Barton, 41, were arrested after an undercover drug deal at a Baker County motel.
With the new charges, bond for Chris Barton was increased to $950,000 and $700,000 for Lonna Barton. Chris Barton's bond is higher because he also faces a charge of sales of a synthetic opiate.
A third person arrested in the drug transactions, Shawn Hall, was being held on $650,000 bond.
The couple was arrested hours after they appeared in a Duval County courtroom, each asking for custody of their 5-year-old daughter. Their younger son, Lonze, was 21 months old when he disappeared while in the custody of Lonna Barton's boyfriend, Ruben Ebron.
REPORT: Christopher Barton, Lonna Lauramore Barton, Shawn Hall arrest report
News4Jax said the couple left the Duval County Courthouse about 12:30 p.m. Wednesday. According to the arrest report, the drug transactions with undercover agents in Macclenny took place where at 2:45 and 6:50 p.m.
The Bartons were wearing the clothes they had on in family court. when they were arrested by the Baker County Sheriff's Office.
Lonna Barton's arrest came as she was out on bond on charges of child neglect and lying to police in connection with the disappearance of Lonzie. Prosecutors in Jacksonville said they will file a motion to have her bond revoked.
Baker County Sheriff Joey Dobson said the Barton's arrests were in no way related to the disappearance of their son, who has never been found.
The arrest report says a confidential informant was told Lonna and Chris Barton used syringes to inject themselves with Molly, also known as MMDA or ecstasy, and they encouraged the informant to do the same.
Baker County officials said Hall and the couple had been under surveillance and investigation for about a month. When Chris Barton sold Molly to undercover detectives three times between Tuesday and Wednesday, the Sheriff's Office made the arrests.
According to the arrest report, Tuesday's transaction was across from Glen Church of Christ in Glen St. Mary. Wednesday's transactions took place at the Motel 6 on State Road 121. Video surveillance taken at the hotel was collected as evidence.
According to officials Hall and Chris Barton were picked up in a vehicle that was headed down Interstate 10 just after they left the American Inn, where police found and arrested Lonna Barton.
In court Thursday morning facing felony drug charges, neither Lonna nor Chris Barton showed emotion.