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Sheriff: Strongly believe remains are Lonzie Barton's

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Police believe they have found the remains of missing toddler Lonzie Barton.

Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams said Ruben Ebron led officials to a search area on Jacksonville's Southside over the weekend.

Williams, JSO's Chief of Investigations Tom Hackney and State Attorney Angela Corey addressed the public following the search Monday afternoon.

"We do believe the remains found are Lonzie Barton," said Corey.

Corey, Williams and Hackney spent time at the search site at Bayard Boulevard and Snyder Road.

"That little boy didn't need to be discarded like a piece of trash and today, we're able to take what we believe to be him from being disposed just like that in hopes he can spend his eternity somewhere peaceful, not basically a garbage heap," Hackney said.

According to Corey, a guilty plea by Lonzie's mother Lonna Lauramore Barton started a series of meetings that led police to the discovery of remains.

Lauramore Barton's boyfriend, Ebron, is charged with child neglect, tampering with evidence and lying to police in connection with Lonzie's disappearance. She was also charged in his disappearance and pleaded guilty to child neglect and lying to police last week.

Ebron waived his right to a speedy trial Monday morning.

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Ebron is cooperating with police, according to Williams.

Corey said new charges are possible, but would not say what charges or against who.

Williams said it's yet to be determined how much Lauramore Barton knew about Lonzie's death and where his remains were located. She was seen crying at the jail after reports that her son's remains were found, according to a source.