Lonna Lauramore Barton Police Interview - Toddler Lonzie Barton missing

Lonzie's mother, Lonna Lauramore Barton, sentenced to 5 years in prison

Eight months after toddler Lonzie Barton went missing and two months after his remains were found under a tire in rural Jacksonville, the little boy's mother stood mute before Circuit Judge Mark Borello and learned she would spend five years in prison.

Borello sentenced Lonna Lauramore Barton, 26, to the maximum allowable prison term after she pleaded guilty to one count each of child neglect and lying to police. As part of her plea, she agreed to testify against former boyfriend William Ruben Ebron Jr., 32, but that became unnecessary when Ebron confessed and told police where Lonzie's body was hidden.

Borello said the sentence was justified because Lonzie would still be alive if not for the actions of Lauramore Barton.

Prosecutors said the case is still being investigated, and Lauramore Barton's lawyers likely prevented her from speaking at the sentencing hearing to make sure she didn't incriminate herself.