JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The intense search for 21-month-old Lonzie Barton shook Jacksonville to its core.
Nearly two months after Ruben Ebron led investigators to Lonzie's grave in Bayard, the toddler's mother, Lonna Lauramore Barton, was sentenced to five years in prison.
Ebron's father, William Ebron Sr., said Lauramore Barton should serve 20 years like his son is serving.
"I'm disappointed it's not equal," said William Ebron Sr.
Ebron's parents, who were also in court for her sentencing, believe the judicial system went easy on Lauramore Barton, claiming she played a much bigger role in Lonzie's death.
"I think she saw more. I think they tried to basically pull her out of it and put all of the emphasis strictly on my son, like she had no involvement," said William Ebron Sr.
During the sentencing hearing Friday, Lauramore Barton’s attorney revealed that she lied about being pregnant with Ebron’s child to get him to tell her where Lonzie's remains were. It was a lie Ruben Ebron's mother, Wanda Ebron, believed.
"When I put money in her commissary, it was for her to eat more and to take care of herself. I gave from my heart so I have no qualms about that. It just shows what type of person she was," said Wanda Ebron.
The Ebrons didn't deny their son's involvement in the toddler's death but wanted to make clear they believe Lauramore Barton's punishment doesn't fit the crime. Wanda Ebron went a step further, claiming race also played a role.
"She was not out looking for her kid, because she knew where her kid was, but they gave her the benefit of the doubt. And when I say 'All-American Express card', where you treat black one way and white another way," said Wanda Ebron.
Prosecutor Rich Mantei came back out to speak with media after learning of that comment.
"To suggest that this case and the outcome in this case and the charges had anything to do with the race of any of the parties frankly is fraudulent. It’s phony, and it’s offensive," said Mantei.
Mantei said Ruben Ebron and Lauramore Barton were both initially arrested on the same charges of child neglect and lying to police.
It wasn’t until months later that Ebron pleaded guilty to the more serious charge of aggravated manslaughter of a child and was sentenced to 20 years.
"It’s not necessarily about what you believe in a situation like this. It’s what the evidence can prove," said Mantei.
Mantei commended Ruben Ebron for stepping up and admitting his guilt and wished other parties involved would’ve done the same.
According to Mantei, had they charged Lauramore Barton with aggravated manslaughter, the physical evidence they had was not strong enough to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt.
Cox Media Group
