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Lonzie's mother could still be charged in his death

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Lonzie Barton's mom was sentenced to five years in prison Friday but the toddler's death is still an active investigation.

Action News Jax Law and Safety Expert Dale Carson points out there is no statute of limitations for a death investigation, so Lonna Lauramore Barton could face additional charges.

Lonzie Barton disappeared July 24, 2015. Ruben Ebron, Lauramore Barton’s boyfriend, led authorities to the body in Jan. 2016.

“There are ongoing matters involving the death of Lonzie Barton,” said Mantei. “And a lot of people want to speculate and guess and say that things ought to happen and all I can say is, look, I don’t want to jeopardize anything that might happen, and so I’m not going to get into it.”

“It’s not over,” said Carson. “They can still charge her with murder if they develop sufficient evidence to do so.”

Carson said since Ebron already pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter, the new evidence won’t mean anything for him.

“For Ruben, it has no significance at all,” said Carson.

Lonna Lauramore Barton’s defense attorney said Lonzie Barton’s sister was in the car when Ruben Ebron dumped her little brother’s body in Bayard.

That’s just one major bombshell that came out during Lonzie’s mother’s sentencing Friday, the same day Assistant State Attorney Rich Mantei said Lonzie Barton’s death is still an active investigation.

Judge Mark Borello sentenced Lauramore Barton to the maximum sentence of five years in prison with credit for 169 days served. She will also have to pay court fees.

Lauramore Barton pleaded guilty to child neglect and lying to police.

“It’s clear that your actions and behavior in this case in no small part resulted in a death sentence for your son,” said Judge Borello.

Action News Jax asked Assistant State Attorney Rich Mantei if five years in prison for Lauramore Barton is justice for Lonzie.

“There is no way that you could say any term of years is ever justice for the death of an infant child, a helpless child,” said Mantei.

Lauramore Barton’s defense attorney Kevin Carlisle stuck with her story that Lonzie was alive when she went to work at Wacko’s Gentleman’s Club the night her boyfriend Ruben Ebron dumped her son’s body.

“He traumatized Ms. Barton’s daughter by bringing her daughter with him and making her ride in the car from Ravenwood Apartments out to Bayard with her dead brother,” said Carlisle.

Mantei said it’s Lauramore Barton’s fault her children met Ebron in the first place.

Carlisle also revealed his client faked her pregnancy in jail.

“She wanted Mr. Ebron to believe it because she thought that if he still had an emotional attachment to her, he would eventually tell her where Lonzie’s remains were,” said Carlisle.

Carlisle also said the seven healing rib fractures Lonzie’s autopsy revealed may have been caused by his sister pushing him down the stairs a month before his death.

Mantei said pictures of Lonzie on Ebron’s phone showed another major injury.

“On that phone, there documented a very serious abdominal bruise that the lone expert witness that testified in this case characterized as potentially deadly,” said Mantei.

Mantei said that expert witness testified the bruise could indicate internal bleeding.

Lauramore Barton has 30 days to appeal her sentence.

Action News Jax reporter Jenna Bourne was in the courtroom Friday and provided these minute-by-minute updates on her Twitter feed: