As for the charge of giving false information, Hackney said when the investigation began, a patrol officer spotted Lauramore on her way home from work shortly after her son was reported missing, and when asked if she had any information, she lied.
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Police said she was uncooperative in the early part of the investigation, denying that she knew her boyfriend, Mr. Ebron, when first questioned by a deputy.
Lonzie’s disappearance has since been declared a murder by police, and Ebron is considered their No. 1 suspect, though Lonzie’s body has not been found. In a televised interview last week, Lonna Lauramore Barton said that she believes her son is still alive.
Investigators said Lauramore would also take Lonzie on drug runs that Ebron would conduct.
Ebron is the prime suspect in Lonzie’s disappearance.
Hackney said Lauramore was neglectful after learning about an unexplained bruise on Lonzie’s head, and without finding out how it happened, still left him in Ebron’s care.
But she went to work anyway, leaving Lonzie in Ebron’s care again, despite the obvious injury. She also found yellow fluid coming from Lonzie’s ears, and the toddler kept vomiting. Ebron is now jailed on two child neglect charges and a charge of lying to police.
The vehicle was found, but Lonzie remains missing. He pleaded not guilty and is due back in court September 2.
If Ebron does eventually post bond on his charges out of Duval County, he would then be transferred to Baker County where he would be held without bond in a drug case, according to Rich Montei, an assistant for the State Attorney. The 5-year-old, he said, came inside because she said she was scared, and when he returned outside, Ebron reportedly said that the auto was driving away.
Last week Sheriff Joey Dobson said JSO investigators received a tip from the group regarding an “disturbed patch of dirt” at 1017 Steel Bridge Rd.
About 20 minutes later, police had located the orange 1995 Honda Civic just four blocks away. Surveillance video obtained from a neighbor’s home discredited that narrative, police said. Lonzie was not in the vehicle or the immediate vicinity.
Police have said that the surveillance video below disproves Ebron’s story.
In the video, Lonzie is not seen.
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Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida is offering a reward of $13,200 as of August 3 for anyone with information that leads authorities to Lonzie.
