Loved ones in Baker County leaving a light on for missing Lonzie Barton

BAKER COUNTY, Fla. — Vigils and special events are set up across Northeast Florida to show their support for missing 21-month-old Lonzie Barton and his family.

People in Baker County left on their porch lights and lit candles for the missing toddler as his family is holding onto the hope he's OK.

Action News spoke with exclusively with Lonzie's grandmother and she said she's shocked her daughter's boyfriend is the main suspect in the disappearance. She said she's one of the many that will be leaving a light on for Lonzie.

Candlelight and porch lights in the streets of Macclenny are all simple gestures of hope that started so little Lonzie can symbolically find his way home.

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"I've cried a little bit, it's hard to hold back," said Judy Barefoot, who's leaving a light on and candle lit. She lives a few yards away from where Lonzie and his family used to live right outside Macclenny.

"I've known this baby before it's born, I've held the baby, it's really hard it really is," Barefoot said.

Monday, we went to the house of Lonzie's grandmother and spoke exclusively with Debbie Lauramore. Her daughter is Lonzie's mom Lonna.

Debbie told us off camera while she had little interaction with her daughter's boyfriend and main suspect William Ruben Ebron, she's shocked by his arrest.

Debbie Lauramore adds Lonzie's 5-year-old sister Lilly is going to stay with her and she hasn't given up hope her grandson is still alive.

It's a feeling neighbors like Barefoot and Robert Moore share as they light their candles for Lonzie.

"I hope and pray he's alive," Barefoot said.

"This is a win, no win situation, the child comes up everybody wins everybody's happy, but if they don't then everybody mourns," Moore said.

A vigil will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday at 453 West Macclenny Ave.

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