FWIW, here's a transcript of Heather Crawford's interview with Lonna and Chris Barton, as of the August 15 2:01 a. m. update:
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/story...rents-interview-believe-child-alive/31758843/
Reporter: Lonzie's mother, Lonna Barton said she has not spoken publicly because she did not want the focus to be on her. She says she's breaking her silence because she says it's time to thank everyone, from the police to strangers to loved ones – for everything that everyone is doing to find Lonzie and she and the toddler's father both believe their son is still alive.
(cut to interview)
Lonna Barton: He's just so joyful and... and I miss that.
R: Lonna Barton has not held her baby boy in her arms for 21 long days. It's home videos like this one that she now treasures more than ever.
(close up of video of Lonzie on Lonna's cell phone)
LB: 'Cuz there's not one thing on this earth that I want more than my baby.
R: She says that the last time that she saw her toddler was when he was in the car with his big sister and Ruben Ebron as they dropped her off at work.
LB: I gave him and Lily a kiss on their forehead and told them mommy loved them and I would see them when they got there to pick me up. I just never imagined I wouldn't see him again.
R: Hours later Ebron would call police and report his car stolen and Lonzie missing. Ebron said Lonzie's 5 year old sister came inside the apartment where he was and said she was scared.
R: Has she told you anything that might help find him?
LB: (tearfully) Not really, um... she just, you know, she just... says that, you know we, we have to find babyman and... pretty much everywhere we'll go she'll tell people you know my baby brother is missing, can you please help us find him... and every officer we pass she'll, you know, make him aware of that her baby brother's still missing and they still haven't found him can they please, you know, bring him home.
R: Lonna and Chris Barton agreed to sit down with us because they say they want the community to know how grateful they are for all of the support and the prayers and the time that has been dedicated to finding their son.
LB: All the time that is, you know, that they're inside their homes and taking their time, you know, before bedtime to squeeze that little prayer in for our son and our family... I really, you know, we really do appreciate it. We... we just want them to keep doing the same you know, and vice versa you know, we are praying for them too that they don't give up, you know, that God just keeps that little kindle of a flame burning in them... to, you know, keep our baby in their prayers and to not let them forget, you know, that he's still out there and he still hasn't been brought home and that he still needs them prayers.
Chris Barton: Everyone that has uh, babies... babies (LB: Hold 'em tight) Hold 'em tight, love 'em, squeeze 'em (LB: Don't take it for granted) don't... cherish every single minute you have.
R: They ask we not show their face (sic) for the sake of their other children.
LB: I don't want to be the focus, my baby should be the focus. They need to see his face, you know, not mine.
R: They [LE] have now said that they believe this is a murder investigation and that they believe Ruben has information that can help find him.
LB: I do not believe my baby was murdered. That's one thing that I refuse to believe, that evidence has not been put in my face, or on paper or in proof in front of me and that's one thing that I will not come to terms with, as far as even my baby not being alive, because until someone can prove otherwise, my b- I hope I … I can't help but I hope that someone has him that is taking good care of him.
R: Police have named Ebron as a suspect in Lonzie's disappearance. JSO released this surveillance video they say disproves Ebron's story. Lonna has so many questions and has visited Ebron in jail more than once.
LB: I just, you know, told him if there was anything, you know, that needed to be said, that was the time to, you know, do it, that... you know, that I would, you know... I'm looking for answers and... I was turning, you know, to him for them if he had them and... and he told me that I'm not the key, he was, he was not the key that, you know, everyone thinks that he was, that he wished he could give me the answers that I needed and that whoever had Lonzie and, has him, needs to just bring him home.
R: While Lonna and Chris light a candle each night for Lonzie they pray and have faith that their son will soon be back in their arms.
LB: I don't care if they set my baby down in the most public place ever and just walked away... I just want my baby back. You know, and at this point I wouldn't even ask questions.
R: I asked Lonna what she thinks happened to Lonzie and she said she truly doesn't know and as a mom that is the hardest part – the not knowing. I could see the pain in her eyes, I could hear it in her voice, but she and Lonzie's father refuse to give up hope that their son will be found alive. Heather Crawford, First Coast News NBC12, ABC25.
End.