Dozens of people gathered in Baker County Saturday to celebrate the life of Lonzie Barton six months after he vanished.
Even though a considerable amount of time has passed, people in Northeast Florida have not forgotten about the toddler.
The 21-month-old's likely remains were found Jan. 11. The community is now coming together and looking for closure.
On Saturday, Stephanie Johnson and dozens of others attended a vigil in Baker County.
Johnson volunteered in searches for the toddler and said she was devastated to learn that Lonzie had been found.
“You know that it's going to happen, that they're going to find him,” Johnson said. “I don't think you’re ever prepared for something like that.”
More than five months had passed since Lonzie disappeared when Ruben Ebron, the only suspect in Lonzie’s disappearance, led police to Lonzie’s remains in a wooded area in Bayard. Chief Tom Hackney said the location was too heartbreaking to describe.
“He can spend his eternity in somewhere that’s peaceful and not somewhere that’s basically a garbage heap,” Hackney said.
Lonzie’s autopsy results for his likely remains are still pending, but those at the vigil said he’s still in the prayers and hearts of the community.
“I like to call it a celebration of life,” Johnson said.
Johnson said the next step is justice for the toddler.
“It's at a point now where we all worked hard searching, praying -- now that he's been discovered, we have the opportunity to celebrate his life (and) have a little bit of closure.”
Six months have passed since the toddler disappeared under the care of Ruben Ebron. As the investigation moves forward, all three of Lonzie’s caregivers remain in jail.
Ebron and Lonzie’s mother, Lonna Lauramore Barton, are both scheduled to appear in court in February.
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