JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) _ The mother of a missing toddler has been accused of child neglect and giving false information to Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office investigators.
Chief Tom Hackney announced the arrest of Lonna Lauramore late Tuesday, adding that she lied to police after 21-month-old Lonzie Barton was reported missing on July 24.
Lauramore’s boyfriend Ruben Ebron Jr. was arraigned Monday on charges of felony child neglect and giving false information to police.
Hackney says Lauramore lies hampered the early stages of the investigation.
Hackney also says investigators have learned that the couple got into an argument over a bruise on Lonzie’s head hours before he disappeared.
She then went to work, leaving Lonzie and his 5-year-old sister with Ebron.
Lauramore was booked into jail Tuesday night.
