JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has officially named William Ebron, 32, as the suspect in the abduction case of 21-month-old Lonzie Barton.
Lonzie went missing around 2 a.m. Friday. Ebron told police that someone stole his car that he left running, with toddler inside.
JSO now says it has evidence that proves Ebron is lying about his car being stolen. Chief Tom Hackney said that finding Lonzie is a matter of Ebron cooperating with investigators.
“He has the answers in this case -- we feel -- and I want that from him, and we need that from him,” Hackney said.
He says police are hopeful, but they need to find Lonzie soon.
“Give answers to the family. Let us find Lonzie -- hopefully alive -- but if not, Lonzie deserves to be back with his family in whatever shape he is,” Hackney said.
Since Friday, more than 60 police officers and dive team members have searched for Barton. Two tips came in on Saturday to where Lonzie might be.
One was at the intersection of I-295 and Philips Highway. The second location was by the Avenues Mall.
Several areas along Philips Highway are still being searched for Lonzie.
Hackney says Ebron knows where he is, but getting him to tell them is proving difficult.
“The victim’s family deserves answers. The community deserves answers. One person that has that key to us, hasn’t provided that to us, and that is very frustrating,” Hackney said.
Hackney said police brought Ebron with them while they checked out several tips Saturday, but Hackney says he is still not providing enough helpful information.
WJAX
