The mother of a missing Jacksonville toddler has pleaded not guilty to charges of child neglect and giving false information to police.
Lonna Lauramore Barton, who is free on bail, formally entered her plea during a hearing Wednesday. Her next appearance is scheduled for Oct. 6.
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office has been searching for Barton's 21-month-old son, Lonzie, for more than a month. The boy disappeared July 24 while in the care of his mother's boyfriend William "Ruben'' Ebron.
Police say Barton failed to tell them her son had a bruise on the back of his head and was leaking yellow fluid from his ears before she left him with Ebron so she could work on July 23.
The Florida Times-Union reports that Ebron remains in jail on child neglect and recent escape charges.
