Source: Lonzie Barton's mom to accept plea, testify against Ebron

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Action News Jax has learned that the mother of missing toddler Lonzie Barton will accept a plea Wednesday on one count of child neglect and lying to police.

As part of the deal, Lonna Lauramore Barton is set to plead guilty to the charges against her and is set to testify against Ruben Ebron, Lauramore Barton's boyfriend and the prime suspect in Lonzie's disappearance. Ebron's trial is set to begin Monday with jury selection.

Lonzie disappeared July 24 from an apartment complex on Jacksonville's Southside while in Ebron's care.

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Ebron told police the boy had been kidnapped in a car theft, but investigators unraveled those claims and charged him with child neglect, lying to police and evidence tampering. Lauramore Barton and Ebron are also facing drug charges in Baker County.

Lonzie's body has never been found and the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office now considers his disappearance a murder investigation.

We spoke to the State Attorney's Office and they would not confirm the plea deal, but a few minutes after that call, the office released a notice that Lauramore Barton will be in court Wednesday morning at 8:30 a.m. for a pre-trial hearing. Lauramore Barton had originally waived her appearance to that hearing.

A spokesperson for Lauramore Barton's defense released the following statement: "Ms. Barton is scheduled to make a plea tomorrow at 8:30 a.m. Ms. Barton's attorney will be available to answer questions following the proceeding."

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Action News Jax law and safety expert Dale Carson said Lauramore Barton will still have to answer some tough questions.

"Now whether she knows anything about what actually happened to the child is another question yet to be answered," said Carson.

State Attorney Angela Corey spoke with Action News Jax on Monday before the plea deal was announced. We asked Corey what she expected from the trial.

"It's tough to be going to trial already on charges and we still haven't resolved the main issue in that case," Corey said. "I think everyone thinks trying the murder itself and they don't realize that we haven't been able to charge that yet cause we haven't found that child's body."

Carson said it was no surprise Lauramore Barton cut a deal. She doesn't have a lengthy criminal history of time in jail. But Carson said this deal will have stipulations.

"There will probably be a recommendation from the state to not max her out," Carson said. "If you take a plea deal, you cannot appeal the outcome."

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