I can't. >> Can anybody come up with a logical reason that this right here happened? That we had to cut the carpet out and take your baby. That's his blood. That is your baby's blood. I swear before those >> I believe you. >> Those people I'm going to be swearing in front of. >> So why would he why would he tell anyone where he is? >> Cuz he's a coward. >> Cuz he's >> Who the [ __ ] is he scared of? >> He's only thinking about one thing. That's himself. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Even if he don't tell, he's still going to get charged with murder, right? >> He He's He's not thinking that way cuz he thinks he's smarter than everybody. >> He thinks he's smarter than everybody and he's just going to wait this out and >> and it's just going to go away and let me hate. >> It's not going to go away. >> Let Let me clue you in. >> This is Reuben, the man investigators believe killed his own child, then staged a fake kidnapping to hide the truth. >> What do you recognize that that pink highlight is? >> Cell phone number, >> right? Whose is that? >> Um, it's mine, >> right? This is the date 7:2515. >> That's the very first day that he went over there to jail. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Um, then obviously that's all the same day. So, >> in case you didn't believe that he has not got the loyalty to you that you think he does. >> Mhm. >> In case sometimes I know it's easier to prove something to somebody if they see it or hear it than it is to just tell them. Okay. >> So, you see what this highlight is? >> Mhm. Do you recognize that number? >> Not right at all. >> Okay, that's number. >> Okay, >> so these are all of his calls to her. Okay, >> different days. 82. I'm not trying to hide anything from you. 83 >> 83 83 84. I'm looking at it upside down, so if I say something wrong, just correct me. 84. Okay, >> here again. 86 >> Mhm. >> 88. You can see >> he's been trying to call him from jail. >> Well, yes. And there's been conversations as well. >> Okay. >> Okay. Here's you. Here's your number again. That's >> for 71 minutes. This mother sits across from two detectives talking about her missing 21-month-old son. She knows exactly why she's there. Her little boy is missing. Detectives are asking where he went, what happened, and when she last saw him, but throughout the entire interview, something feels strangely off. She never says his name, not once. Instead, she calls him love baby. Oh, my kid. Oh, baby, man. Three different ways to talk about her missing child without ever saying the one word you'd expect a mother to say. And while the detectives keep pushing for answers, everyone else seems to be breaking down except her. She stays composed. So, why won't she say her own son's name? >> When it was blocked. That was the day after you visited him on 810. >> Okay. >> That's when it was blocked. Okay. Okay. So, obviously he couldn't he show you the comparison is who you think he's clearly reaching out to. >> Yeah. >> Mhm. >> So, I don't want to I'm not trying to throw that in your face. >> No. >> Okay. I want you to have a feeling that, >> you know, it's pretty clear we listen and do everything we have to do to prove this case. >> And if part of it is getting you to understand we are not the ones trying to BS you, then I'm ready to do whatever it takes to make you buy that. Yes, sir. A white shirt on and um khaki shorts. Okay. Does this look like the shirt? >> This looks like could have been. I think so. Maybe. >> Yeah. If I'm not mistaken, they've turned this inside out for them. [laughter] Okay. Now, how about this? >> I know. It's like a generic, you know, right? >> Do you see what it's on? You see what this is? It's like laid on a brown piece of paper and it's got a measuring stick >> opposite of what you see these. Okay. That's just laid on a little brown piece of paper so they can put his clothes out. They're measuring this up. They're measuring it up for a reason. >> Okay. >> Is there anything that you notice about that shirt? Look. Look at it. >> Maybe down in here. >> Mhm. >> And through here, >> right? >> Stains. >> Take a look at that. >> Looks like blood to me. >> Yeah. >> Mhm. >> It's exactly what it is. >> Do you remember him being hurt in any way? Was he bleeding in any way? >> Not when I left him. >> Okay. Not when I got off the car. He got to work. He wasn't. >> Okay. >> And while we're talking about the blood right now, was there I can see you're I I can see where you're upset. Do you want to take a break a second? Okay, let me turn that over. All right, listen to me. Was there any ever any time that had a significant injury where he was bleeding a lot? >> No, he had a little scratch on his leg. Okay. But that was from where he um he just had like a little like a bug bite it looked like I guess and he scratched it. >> Okay. >> So he did that to himself bleeding in all that day. >> Okay. >> And any of the little bite that you talked about down there is nothing more than a band-aid would have needed even if that. Okay. So at any given time was he bleeding a large amount? Not whatsoever. Okay. In the last week, can you remember any time where he would have taken a fall where he was busted open and mouth bleeding? >> He didn't. He had a little mark right here um on his on the bottom lip, but he was um we were in the kitchen. I was with him when that happened. >> Okay. So, you saw it? >> Well, I gave him a popsicle cuz it was he was teething real bad and he bit his lip a little bit. So, >> but other than that, no. And it wasn't even he didn't even bleed, really his lip. Did any of that blood get anywhere else other than the kitchen? >> No, it didn't even get in the kitchen. I >> wiped it up. >> A little napkin. Okay. >> Was nothing. >> All right. This is um I want to show you that the and I'm looking at it upside down so you have to excuse me if I go backwards. This this purple line >> is basically a route >> route that he took or something. >> Right. I know there was some talk about whether or not you believe the validity of that video that we put out. until they asked me, "Is that Reuben?" And I told them, "Well, I'm kind of blurry, >> right?" >> And I was just being honest, >> okay? And let me, this is part of the clarification for you, okay? >> What I'm not allowed to do is make stuff up for you or him. I'm not allowed to make up evidence. I'm not allowed to tell you we found a bloody hammer and it belonged to the victim's blood. Is is I'm not allowed to make stuff like that up. Okay? So, understand me when I'm telling you something. This is something we know we will prove in a court of law. Okay. All right. So, our video time of him leaving is when you look at the video, he goes out. Watch him go out and within enough minutes he is this house right here. There's a little pin right there. >> Mhm. >> It says um >> Sierra Madre, >> right? Sierra Madre Drive South. Okay. The little pin. If you come out and come around here, you're going to pass this house. >> And when you pass this house, you come up here to this Sesperies Road. >> And then the car was dropped off right there. Okay. So, this house video, >> the interrogation changes the moment detectives reveal blood on the child's clothing. Barton immediately becomes upset and the detective notices it before continuing. Instead of pushing harder, she gives her a moment a calculated pause that lowers resistance. But the question now hanging over the room is simple. If the child was never seriously injured, why is there blood? >> This is dried a few days later, so it's a little bit lighter. >> So this is after that guy. This. Okay. This This right here is how we found your house. >> When we examine this sheet, it's very easy to see. >> It looks like this. >> Yeah. >> It's still wet, >> right? >> That's still wet. >> Okay. >> The sheet goes to our property room and it's put in a place safely, securely where it can dry. So, as it dried, it dries a little bit lighter. You see the difference? >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, this was at your house. Mhm. >> These these little little things here, that's what's called a hemodent test. They swab it >> to determine if it's based on the test. It's not the God's awful gospel. We send those swabs to the lab and we have to we just can't guess whose blood it is. >> This is simply to tell us whether or not it's blood, right? But this is they come back. Yeah. Okay, I know. I got you. You to see that there is upstairs. Okay. And do you you want to break this up? If you want one, you tell me. Okay. You want a break? >> I just want to get done. >> Okay. All right. We'll get done. Tell me what you see about this. Whose room? >> That's y'all's room. Okay. Does this look like what it normally looks like? [snorts] Weights >> on the ground. There's a little stool. It looks like >> Yeah, I sat right there sometimes. >> Okay. How about this stool? Is that something you recognize? >> Yeah. Yeah. He was he said he was going to put it back in the shed because it's taking up too much room. >> Okay. Now, I know this is a picture of this direction. The foot of the bed would be down here. >> Right. Um put in the pillows that I use to make the pallet. >> Okay. Where do you normally put the baby? Is it down here at the foot or over here? He >> normally sleeps on this side and he sleeps right here. >> Okay. But at the foot of the bed on the right by the flooring area. >> Do you ever set up a pallet over here? Never never set up a pallet over there. >> Okay, this is getting a little tighter. This is a little bit more zoomed in. Okay, I want you to pay attention to the floor area. [snorts] >> You notice anything? >> See, it stays >> right. There's a blow up. [snorts] This is what we took this carpet. Okay. [snorts] You know, sometimes I'm usually telling people, guess what? It's not like TV. It doesn't work like TV. This is going to work like TV. Do you see what that looks like? Yeah. That's the stool. You see what this is? Okay. I'm not going to make you stare at it. All right. We've sent a number of things to the lab. We don't just guess. We physically know. >> What did he do to him? >> Let's go back to the the bruise on his head a minute. And if you have ever thought in your mind, today is the day to say whatever you possibly can remember. If anything was different, [snorts] holy God, today's the day. Okay. I'm not >> I don't know. I mean, I know that he um he was very aggravated with the fact that [snorts] she wouldn't let him see his kids >> she >> and he had made um couple comments, you know, that uh he was holding I remember him holding in the kitchen and he was crying. Um, [snorts] Reuben was crying and I went to u take the baby for him to go upstairs with him and giving Reuben a minute, you know, and he's like, "No, you know, it's kind of he he helps me feel closer to mine. >> He just let me hold him." So, I let him hold him and then um later on he just um I don't know. He kind of made me he kind of made me mad at first because he was like uh he was like, you know, um I don't mind, you know, watching your kids. They, you know, they take my they take my mind off of my >> Detectives now dismantle the stolen car story using surveillance footage and timing. The evidence suggests the car was deliberately moved, not stolen. Barton accepts the explanation, but the real pressure comes from what it means. The disappearance may have been staged. The interrogation has shifted from what happened to to what happened created this story. >> If you know where my kid is, you you know where my kid is. You need to just [ __ ] tell me. Tell somebody that can go and get my kid. Take them to get I don't care. I just >> I don't care what you wanted to do. It was proper by your boy. >> Yes. You know, I mean, that's only fair for him. I agree with you. >> I mean, if he can give me that, I don't don't know why he wouldn't. >> Cuz he's a coward. [snorts] >> Well, like he's not going to spend life in prison any [ __ ] way. What does it matter? You know, you see what I'm saying? What have you got to lose? You done? You're in the worst position you could possibly be in any [ __ ] way. You're not getting out period. So, why wouldn't you tell me? >> I wish I had that answer. [snorts] Your mama asked me something today. Why would someone do something like this? What would reason? Do you can anybody come up with a logical reason? >> I can't. >> Can anybody come up with a logical reason that this right here happened? That we had to cut the carpet out and take your baby. That's his blood. That is your baby's blood. I swear before those >> I believe you. >> Those people I'm going to be swearing in front of. >> So why would he why won't he tell anyone where he is? >> Cuz he's a coward. cuz he's >> What the [ __ ] is he scared of? >> He's only thinking about one thing. That's himself. >> Yeah. >> Okay. And if he don't tell, he's still going to get charged with murder, right? >> He He's He's not thinking that way cuz he thinks he's smarter than everybody. >> He thinks he's smarter than everybody and he's just going to wait this out and >> and it's just going to go away. And let me hate. >> It's not going to go away. >> Let Let me clue you in a little more. Let me put it to you like this. We got and we've got Reuben. >> Okay, those are the two people that had care of the child. >> Okay, when push comes to shove, cuz it's going to >> push is going to come to shove. The shit's going to hit the floor. The wagon's going to have the wheel fall off of it. And guess what he's going to do? There's only, let's just face it, there's only two people we can blame for this incident right now, and it's you and him. The difference is >> you. Yeah, I was going to say >> you did not lose the car with that [ __ ] story. Okay, >> I damn sure didn't hurt my baby. >> Well, then that only means >> him, right? >> Right. And what kind of a coward what kind of a [ __ ] coward cannot just You know what? Call and get help. If you want to lie, lie and say he fell down the stairs again. Okay. Lie and say pushed him again. Lie [snorts] and say he fell in the bathtub. >> Anything. Just >> But don't throw him out. >> No [ __ ] >> Like a piece of garbage that the buzzards eat, the dogs pull apart, the bugs get on. Is that how you want your child to be remembered in your mind? Do you think that baby was alive? Think about it a minute, Lana. Think. We put an Amber Alert out for a child because a man told us a car was missing >> and the baby was in it. Do you really think he was alive then? >> Not now. >> Not now. I don't. >> Not now. I don't either. >> This is why we were so >> Why would [laughter] he do that? >> Cuz he's a c he's an animal. He's a coward animal. He is not who represented himself to you. Your mama told me today the reason you fell head over heels with him is because he took such good care of you. Really? You're living in a room, right? You're the one out working 2 a.m. And [snorts] what is his trade? Drug dealer. You know that. And I know that. I know who he pays to go get his prescriptions. I know he gets some himself. No denying this. It's all over his phone. >> And and another thing really was my kids talked to him so I would do that to him. >> They don't care, honey. He cares about one. >> And he asked for him again today twice. You know when where's Reuben? I want to see Reuben. And you know that >> she doesn't know. >> Exactly. >> He doesn't know. She's innocent. >> Exactly. You know what I mean? That's >> Do you know why she's not hurt today? Because she's got a mouth. >> Yeah. There is no telling what's been going on. Looking at some of the messages that you and him have, I get the impression that he's very frustrated sometimes with with by one of the texts that said, "My bad, I gave him [ __ ] milk." Okay, who does that? Who complains about, "Oh, these kids are driving me crazy today." I know there's been times you called your mom. My god, these kids are driving me crazy. Hey, I'll come get them. Don't worry. Do you say to your mom, "You know what? I can't get him to potty train. I I had to give My bad. I gave him [ __ ] milk." >> Who does that about a kid they care about? >> He's a kid. >> Yeah. >> You drink? >> Yep. >> The detectives focus on a white sheet found inside the home, carefully walking Barton through the evidence instead of simply accusing her. They show her how the sheet looked when recovered and explain the testing process. Her answers become increasingly defensive. The question now becomes harder to ignore. Why was this particular sheet so important to the investigation that >> parents don't talk about their kids like that? You get frustrated with them as they get older. You know, they create different problems for you. They're active. [snorts] But have you ever said, "I'm so [ __ ] sick of you liking [ __ ] milk." Have you ever said that? >> No. >> No. They're kids. He's a defenseless little guy underweight. He must run around an awful lot because that boy didn't hold a lot of weight. And this man has done something to this child. And I can't impress upon you enough that if there is something else, I do I'm going to tell you right now, I don't think you know where this baby is. I don't. >> I don't. >> I don't. But if Reuben has said things to you that night, we've went over this about 12 times and this is going to be the last 13th because this gets real from here on out. >> He did not tell me anything that happened or anything that happened. >> No actions that he did, whether it be by on purpose or anything else. >> Because most of the time when you have these cases, people do what I said. They have hurt a child and it's usually never the biological family. It's the boyfriends. >> Mhm. They hurt the child and they come up with the stupidest crap. I was holding the baby and I had to go get a bottle and I tripped over the cord and I fell that much. >> You remember that one? >> The cord. I fell into the wall and it flew into Yeah. >> And the baby flew across the room and he hit the wall. >> This is not the first time that we've worked a child Olympic gold medal. >> That's exactly what I said. And then somehow he fell into the bathroom. >> He's using you to build this defense that he's great with kids. That kids love him and he loves children. >> I know. I can't say. I never seen him hurt my kids. I didn't see I've never seen him. >> Obviously, you didn't see him. >> No. Do you think he'd tell you? >> No. >> I just beat the brakes off today. >> You think he's going to >> I beat him so hard that behind his ear is all bruised up and the side of his face is swollen, >> right? You think he's going to do that? Hey, my bad. I [ __ ] milk again. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Really? >> You know, it's not going to happen. >> Of course, he's going to lie to me cuz I wouldn't report. >> Yeah. And then he's going to try to pull the ultimate lie. Someone stole the car and he was in the car. >> Yeah. Obviously, that's a [ __ ] lie. So, now what do we do? >> Now, what do we do is we continue to build this case. Okay. >> Okay. >> There's other things that we have to do um with some additional evidence. the I can tell you there is no one between the sheriff's office and the state attorney's office that this isn't priority number one. Okay. >> This is my priority too. >> Okay. >> It has been all along. >> Yeah. >> We have worked tirelessly and we will continue to and it's like I told your mama today, I am here for one human and one human only. I >> I can't even I have such bad nightmares because I just I just sit there and wonder, you know, where he is or what's what happened to him and I can't sleep without seeing his little face. There's um and I and I'll I'll let you explain this a little better with your medical background. Explaining basil fracture. [snorts] >> Basil skull fracture. you hit someone like a child hard enough in the head that what it does it can leave like a hairline fracture. It's not something that you can see. >> Okay. >> If you look at him, he looks okay, but he's not acting quite right. He becomes >> tired. You're a genius. >> And what's the reason that that bruise >> Well, I mean, I figured that it was just because, you know, I'm messing with you trying to lighten it up. >> The reason that bruise appears is because there's bleeding inside the head. So he about >> and here's where the skull ends and has an opening. So the blood is trying to escape >> and then what happens? >> So where does that go? Where does this blood come from? >> If it goes untreated, it can the fluid start coming out of the ear which is the cerebral spinal fluid. That fluid kind of filters the brain. It's like a cushion and it goes down your spinal column. If an opening occurs where this fluid starts to come out, not only does it come out, but bacteria goes in. >> Okay, >> when the bacteria goes into that that fluid, they develop menitis. They start getting fevers and if it's untreated, they die. >> So how all that happens is like >> that's one of the things that could have happened. So that's just what you >> but it can also it can also remember that lethargic that groggginess the irritability >> the vomiting >> they are hard to deal with because you don't you can't sue them. >> Detectives return to the bruise on the back of the child's head and force Barton to reconstruct its size, color location, and timing. She describes it as something that could have been an ear infection, but the detectives keep narrowing the timeline. Her earlier description of minor injuries now looks increasingly difficult to reconcile with what investigators know. >> The majority of cases where a young child is killed >> by >> a woman's boyfriend >> because the boyfriend has no real attachment to that child. >> No. >> And it's easier to lose your temper when it's not your child. >> Listen, if I could tell you like what he says to you and what he says that he's only telling y'all what y'all want to hear. You know what I mean? Not to hurt your feelings, >> dude. You just can't hurt my feelings. No worse than what they already are. >> I want you to understand all he's all he's doing is trying to manipulate you. >> Well, [ __ ] him. >> That's where you need to be. >> This is all about manipulation and control. >> Yeah. >> Well, he obviously >> this this that you saw on his his head. Remember how I was so emphatic with you? And you got to understand knowing knowing what I know and seeing what I see all these times. You see a kid's head bonged up like this and his cheek is red and he's got fluid, yellowish fluid coming out of his ear. That is a classic sign of, "Oh [ __ ] you have a serious head injury." >> I know that. >> Yeah. >> I've never had one of my kids >> have a head injury or anything. >> And see, >> you did that day. >> Violence toward children can quickly escalate. >> You know, >> obviously. Yeah. Listen, we go back to the same thing. It's you or him. [snorts] And it's him that came up with this elaborate plan to try to say that. And anytime you confront him with something, well, [snorts] I'm telling you, we saw you walk back. Yeah. Yeah, I walked back. But you didn't see me run through the woodline. No, [ __ ] We didn't see you run through the wood line cuz your ass didn't walk through the wood line, >> right? You drove that car out. >> Yeah. No. >> Yeah. He he spent time trying to figure out how to cover his tracks up to the point of staging this abduction of which would have was already gone. >> So at what point of the night when I was gone did he do something with it? >> Well, the time frame is narrowing down. >> And just think about it a second. This starts a head injury. >> Mhm. >> Britney points that out to you that morning. Do you and you don't >> I'm going to assume that since you only see it Thursday that it's possibly not there Wednesday. But if this is the first time you're seeing it, if you gave him a bath the day before, do you remember seeing it? >> No, it wasn't there. >> Okay. So then we can when I say that's what he means when we can talk about timelines. If you gave him a bath Wednesday or you gave him a bath Thursday morning or whatever the time frame is and it wasn't there, then we know sometime around when Britney was there between there and the last time you saw him where it wasn't there, that's when that happened. >> Right. >> Now, could there be another injury? >> I had to have bed before I got up. >> I agree with you. >> Had to have been before I got up. >> And here, you know, there was so much talk about, you know, whether you do or don't do laundry at 3 in the morning. Look, I get you do laundry at 3 in the morning. That's what you get off. >> I do laundry. Well, [ __ ] I ain't got off before I don't know when, but normally I would do laundry on my day off >> and that's just how I do it. Sometimes I'll throw a load in at 6:00 when I'm home. >> You don't get home until 2:00. So, I get it. But when asked, is it normal for him to go to the laundry mat at 1:45 in the morning? >> Not alone. >> But alone before, why would you drive out it? None of his timeline makes any sense, >> right? For example, I know I got to go get you at two o'clock. I don't have any gas in the car. Okay, guess what I'm gonna do? I'm not gonna go at 12 o'clock and get gas and then come back in. What? Two kids? Who wakes two kids up to go get gas at one time, but you don't have to be anywhere for 2 hours and it's freaking midnight? Who does that? No one. No one does that except Ruben. >> He left at 12:30, too. >> 12:33. He was at the kangaroo. Did he normally do that when you're at work? >> What? >> Drag the kids around town. [clears throat] >> No. He normally stay at the house with them, >> right? >> Until I got off. That' be the only time he'd bring him out was >> Ruben had to ride the club a lot, didn't he? >> Mhm. I mean, when I didn't have if I was at home and I had the kids, then he would go. We never went at the same time unless >> unless I be Yeah. Right. Right. Is there is there any places down on the southside by the avenues avenues mall 95 Philips Highway? Is there any places that you know that he would hang out? Like some people go hang out at the pool hall on on you know the one at Bay Meadows by the um Wind Dixie. Some people hang out there's a place called they call the pits down Mclloren Road. >> I've never heard of that place. Um um bet poker room. >> I don't know where. I don't know exactly where that is. >> Regency. >> I don't know. I've never been there with >> Is that the one on Monument? The one that used to be Garden Ridge. >> That's Reg. >> Okay. Well, I've never been there. >> There's another one. There's the one There's one in Orange Park. >> No, he would go I'm >> the one at Reed Street. >> I'm assuming that he'd go to the one closest to our house. >> Okay. >> But anything down by the avenues, Phillips Highway, >> latitude 30. You ever go there? >> I've never been there. >> Okay. I've never been there and I know he did pool tournaments at Bear Assets, but that's >> Yeah, that's way out. >> Do you know the girl that he Her name is Christy? You get pills from >> the pro the girl? Yeah. I didn't like her. >> Yeah. Um >> I didn't really take to her too. I only met her a handful of times. >> Where did you Was it with Reuben? >> Mhm. >> Was it with you? >> Uh-huh. >> Had to be. I guess you both together. >> Yeah. They um I would make him they they had to get out the car to do whatever they were doing cuz I don't do pills. >> I don't take them out and >> I don't like to be mixed up in that. >> Okay. So they Was he buying from her or selling to her? >> He um he would give her money, she would go somewhere and then he whenever she would get back, he would get out the car and get in with her >> and I guess do whatever they were doing, >> right? And then get in your car. >> Okay. [cough] Um >> cuz I I really refuse for him to do >> Where did you Where did y'all commonly meet her at? What location? >> Um I was trying to explain that. Um it's like I know when you um when you come out of >> Mhm. >> you go straight or you go >> take a right or left. You take a right >> and you go straight through that light >> Uhhuh. >> and you take that road all the way down. >> Okay. >> So like wherever that leads to. I'm not really good with area names and stuff. >> Do you drive? >> Do I drive? Not very often. Not in Jacksonville. I've only lived once since May. >> You You're good on dirt roads. >> Yeah. [laughter] >> So, I mean, it's just And actually got yelled at that about that a lot. You have to pay attention where we're going. You You know, you have no sense of Well, I'm not from Jacksonville, >> right? >> So, but I know that we would meet um we'd always uh pass a play. either at a gas station or um it's you can turn turn in. It's got like a um a Panda Express and it's got >> So it's like places where you common places like out in the open. >> You weren't going to her house? >> No. >> Never went to her house. >> Um one time and that was just to drop her off though. >> Okay. Why didn't you like her? >> She was just [ __ ] >> Okay. All right. >> So, how do you feel about her? [laughter] >> How I feel about her? Just like I think that she's a [ __ ] I bet I bet if you asked her how she felt about you'd get the same Well, you might get a worse word. >> Yeah, >> probably. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> You might get a worse word. >> Probably. >> You want to understand what's going on? >> The detective carefully reconstructs the conversation about the Charles Bruise and the argument with Reuben. Instead of directly calling Barton a liar, she lets Barton confirm the timeline herself. That strategy matters. Every confirmation becomes another piece of the timeline. And once the timing is established, the question becomes unavoidable. What happened while the child was in Reuben's care? >> She got mad because >> he admits that he had sex with her. >> Well, that was okay. Well, that must have been after I left or something. >> No, he he came over here to our building >> while I was in the house. >> Yeah. >> I I didn't hear all of it, but I can I believe him, but I >> I believe you. But >> I guarantee it was the 1st of July. July 1st. I I remember the date, right? July 1st. >> July 1st. something about, you know, they had wackos and they met and then they came home. >> She come back to the house as I was getting ready and you went off. >> No, she left her kids there, >> right? >> She said she was coming back to uh >> and she did. >> Uhhuh. >> She did. And when she came back, that's when she claims it happens. He admits it. >> This is July 1st. >> Okay. >> He admits it and says, "But it was consensual." >> Okay. >> I'm not I'm trying to, like you said, what else could you possibly absorb? You know, it is what it is. But yeah, he he admitted. >> I really don't think that he raped her, though. I mean, hell, y'all were together for 12 years and you have three kids together. I don't think they raped you. [laughter] You know what I mean? I think that you talked to him and then you got he wouldn't leave me for you. >> It's probably I don't say that I blame you on that one. >> I mean, that's just logical consumption, y'all. I mean, if he forced her, then I don't mean a consumption or an assumption. >> An assumption. Yeah. >> I mean, I'm just saying if I was with someone for 12 years and had three kids with them, obviously I like to sleep with them, >> right? >> For when I got knocked up three times by them, >> right? >> And been with them for over a decade. >> Yeah. Yeah. Makes sense. >> That's just logical. >> There's definitely tension with y'all. >> With me and her? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. [ __ ] yeah, there was. >> Yeah. >> Why was it so hard for you to believe that he did this? >> Because I just never seen it be harmful towards my kids. I mean like towards you know maybe argue with me a little bit but not >> I've never seen him and I've had people come and pay him for them to keep his you know other people's kids. I mean >> you know the old saying if if not you then who? If it wasn't you then who you know and the story about the car being taken. >> I mean he's just so good with his own and my kids liked him. I mean still asks for him you know she I like him very very much. Do do you do you know his past? Do you know his past with adults? The the the violence that he has >> I mean I knew I know about one incident with >> Mhm. >> And um which I didn't really know full detail on it. >> Or whose story belongs to who, right? >> Yeah. Um >> how about her sister? >> Um never about her sister. Uh never really didn't get into that situation too much really. So no, not a whole lot. Um, I knew that he had gotten u that he had went to prison for 2 years, but I didn't really know the detail on it. Just as far as I had known that it was uh for robbing someone or running from the law or something like that. >> Do you know what his brother's in prison for? >> No, I don't. And I've never met him. So, >> I've never met any of his siblings. >> Well, no one know what you've seen. >> No way. If I'd have known this all, you guys would have never got a chance to talk to him because I'd have already [ __ ] killed him myself. >> That's what exactly what I was waiting on from you. >> Honestly, when y'all were in the room together, >> we if I if I would have known all this and I even sensed him hurting my kid, if I'd have known anything about it prior to him making that adoption [ __ ] star, the stolen car [ __ ] >> If I have seen him hurt my kid or knowledge him hurting my kid, y'all wouldn't have got a chance to get to him. Knocking me up for murder. >> Why? Why else? >> Cuz I'd have [ __ ] killed him. >> Why else would we have all this the blood? >> Because obviously he did something to my >> the baby's child and blood >> and he stages this whole >> because he's trying to cover his own ass. >> Yeah. >> And that's um >> this is a timeline from 3:00 in the afternoon. >> That's obviously not going to [ __ ] work >> till 3:00 when we got you when we got you guys. >> This is too much work has been done. You recognize that? >> Yeah. That's Ruben. >> Yeah. >> At an ATM, >> right? getting out money out of your account. >> That's his account. >> Well, I thought, you know, I was consider share >> account. I was considering it, you know, community property. >> Doesn't look like my kid is in there, though. >> Don't does it. >> Well, shocking. >> Well, this the first time I've known about this. I mean, they told me that he pulled money out, but they didn't tell me that my kid wasn't in the car, so I didn't know that. >> We tracked him everywhere he went. This is where he went to McDonald's. I know it's hard. >> Have you talked to >> I have. >> What'd she tell you? She told me two different things. >> What did she tell you? >> Um she told me one time she told me that um he was in the car when they went to the laundromat because I asked her, you know, cuz I was that was what I was trying to put together was from the laundromat >> to home, right? >> You know what I mean? Was he in the car from there to there? And um she had told me yes, he was in the he was in the car >> sleeping at the laundromat. And then um she first go around she told me that he was in the car at the apartment. And then probably about a week later, you know, I kind of slipped that question in there again. You know, well, what happened? You know, where'd you all Where did Reuben go? You know, I was trying to get trying to get her to tell me if um anyone else had seen if she had seen anyone else, you know what I mean? So, because I didn't think he was good enough to pull something off >> by herself, >> right? you know what I mean, >> right? >> And um she then she told me, "Well, he wasn't in the car. I don't remember seeing him." So, I was just like, "Maybe she's, you know what I mean? Maybe this just too much for her and she can't, you know, so I just really didn't go by much on what said for the most part." >> Now, this not the first time that she said he wasn't in the car, >> right? But I'm saying like I don't just sit around. >> Barton finally reaches an important psychological shift. She admits she no longer believes Reuben's story, that the car was stolen with the child inside. Her language becomes emotional and direct. He did something to my baby. But detectives keep pressing because suspicion isn't enough. They want to know what she knew, when she knew it, and what she did after realizing his story wasn't making sense. >> So, here's the thing. Here's the thing. >> I got to make them believe it. >> Yeah. 31 seconds it takes him that um you know 31 seconds it takes him to say and it's because the dispatcher says here's what happens they got to get your information right >> and then they're going to tell you common practice we're going to check the towed vehicle file because sometimes people's [ __ ] gets um repoed >> repo >> right so before we go send an officer to make a stolen vehicle legally those people can repo your car >> so they don't want to put a stolen vehicle in the system with a tow truck driver going down the road. You know, that makes no sense. >> So, the dispatcher told him, "I'm going to have to check this on the tow and storage list, sir." And he says, "And my son was in the back seat." Just like that. Oh, and my son was in the back seat. The dispatcher said, "Whoa, hold on. What?" Say what? What' you say? The dispatcher gets panicked. Your son was in it? Yeah, he's in the back seat. Not ever panicked at all. >> That would have been like the first part. >> Yeah. >> My car I would just said my kid just got kidnapped, but someone stole my car. What's more important, the kid or the car? >> [ __ ] both. If my kid's inside the car, then that car is very important, >> right? >> Find that [ __ ] car and my kid in too. >> It wasn't important to him. >> Wasn't important to him. You know who else? When he made his text >> when he made his text to uh what did they do with him? I mean, where where in this point of time? I mean, you see where he's went. Where could he have went with him? >> There's a time frame. >> It's not adding up to me. >> See what he puts to Daniel. I'm outside. Car stolen. police talking to me now. Do you see anywhere where it says missing? >> No. >> Do you see him say baby man's gone? What the [ __ ] do I do? That's what he sends him. Cuz it means no more to him cuz this is just a story. >> Do you think that Daniel knew? >> No. >> No. >> Well, who else says help? >> It's just an example of how little it meant to him. >> Okay. Well, all the [ __ ] same of how little it means to him. You still need to figure out where my kid is. >> Absolutely. And we we already know where he's going. >> Yeah. >> Where's my kid? >> Mhm. >> That's why this timeline was important to us. That's why these pictures were important as to what was it like when you left because do we not now agree that there are things that weren't the way you left it? >> No, he went home and cleaned up. >> Yeah. So no matter what. >> But what I can't figure is why how did he get around? >> You assume she was there. >> I don't I don't think >> well paying attention all the time. You know, she's a kid. She's watching TV. >> She She's easy to describe. >> And you know what Daniel told us when he >> was she probably watching TV with >> Yeah. >> probably playing the tablet and she >> was she was when they got back to the house. There was a period of time that he was home just with the two kids. >> So, how did he get it past Daniel even? You're a grown ass man and you can't tell me you're inside this apartment and you ain't hear nothing happen to my baby and you just watched Ruben walk out the house with a bloody baby and everything. You're [ __ ] full of [ __ ] Someone's full of [ __ ] >> Listen, hold on. Hold on. No, >> that's not I mean that's not possible. I would know if someone was in the other room hurting a kid. >> But he wasn't there. Okay. >> Well, why would Daniel was when they got back from McDonald's? When Reuben and the baby got back from McDonald's, the McDonald's and the getting the ATM, he does go back to your house >> and he is there a couple hours alone before Daniel gets home. When Daniel comes home, he goes in his room, brings Lexi in his room cuz he thinks they're in there asleep. Well, hears him come in, goes to the room, knocks on the door, comes in at this point, and stays with Daniel for a while. >> But the baby is still there with with And >> we we that's something we're trying to decide. >> That's what I'm saying. I mean, because I don't see how he would just if if blood or anything like that happened to the baby, she would say it. >> And that's what I'm saying about Daniel. Think about that in the same room. Okay? If she saw it, she would say it. Same thing what Daniel would. Daniel is all about doing the right thing. It's not It has nothing to do with Daniel. And And to be honest with you, I don't think sometimes things happen and people can plan it out. And it ain't me. It's never me. >> Cuz if I turn her against me, she'll tell the cops. >> Yep. I'm telling >> what y'all are telling me. What the [ __ ] >> No. What he's saying is if he told you Oh [ __ ] >> [ __ ] yeah. I would tell y'all. Y'all wouldn't have even had No, he he wouldn't be not wouldn't be [ __ ] breathing. >> Am I going to hear from here on out? Am I going to hear um >> He's innocent. I love him. >> Yeah. >> No, [ __ ] that. >> At 11:00 tonight, are you going to wish him you love him and pray about him? >> That's over. >> Oh my god. I pray to God that he gives him the [ __ ] needle. >> It's a different prayer than you said a couple days ago. I just I don't know. I want to be sure. I just didn't see him being capable of hurting my kid. But now I see it very [ __ ] bad. >> If not him, >> some of the worst killers out there >> were the nicest people you'd ever want to meet. >> Yeah. Ted Bundy, nice guy. >> Many of them. They they they got their their way into you because of their kindness and their charms and then they had their fun. >> Right. Look at Pete the pedophile. I mean, do you and but do you think that it was premeditated or do you think that he just lost his [ __ ] temper, hurt him, and >> you know, you know, the only person that can tell us that? >> The person who's not talking, >> the [ __ ] coward. That's who. >> He's not going to man up. >> Put my brother in the room with him and just beat him to death. >> You know how many people in the city have [laughter] called us wanting 10 minutes in the room with him? >> My brother wouldn't need >> And listen, I want I want to I want to make you understand. >> He wouldn't need 10 minutes. My brother done told me if they'll give me the opportunity. He said, "You'll have two options." Unless the speaker, I'll just break his [ __ ] neck right there and we can all be done with this. We're not getting the baby back anyways. But my brother really doesn't [ __ ] matter. >> I want to make you understand that no matter what all along I've looked at every avenue possible to include you because I had to. Nothing personal. >> Hey, if I if I hadn't done anything, I'd deserve my be right there. And I'd give I'd give my life for my baby for him to just have one more minute of his. >> Let me ask you a question on another note. You remember Britney? [clears throat] >> The detective puts Barton in the most uncomfortable position yet. Only two people had care of the child, and Reuben's stolen car story is collapsing. Then she asks whether the child could even been alive when the Amber Alert was issued. Barton finally admits she doesn't think he was. The interrogation is no longer about a missing child. It's about what happened before the disappearance was staged. that he would do good work, but he didn't want to come in on time and didn't want to work when they told him to work and they ended up getting rid of him. >> Okay. >> I thought he got fired cuz he got locked up in Baker. >> Yeah. Well, that was >> that's what I thought. >> Sometimes, you know, they know they need the workers. >> That's a driver's license photo. But here, >> I want to go check on your mama. >> Yeah, >> if you don't mind, just give me a second. Go check on your mama cuz I don't want her to think I'm trying to pull the wool over her ass cuz I have a good respect for her. Rob is the guy that bought Ruben's bike back in May. >> Mhm. and um Mo, >> Mauricio, some someone else. >> Those are the three people he talks to daily. >> Mhm. >> And Courtney, that black guy Courtney he went to his wedding. >> Um but and all those numbers are in his phone. >> You talking about the the iPhone, >> the smartphone that he has, the phone, the Samsung you guys have? >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> And that one. Okay. >> And if you look through his text messages, you'll see he talks to him on a regular >> or that Nerf guy that lives in that subdivision the car was stitched in. >> He's called what? >> H >> what do you call him? >> Nerfett. That's his real name. Nerfett. >> Nerfett. >> Nerfett. N U R F E T. >> Nerfett. >> Nerfett. >> Who's he? He sometimes um will like get served I guess by Reuben or or or Reuben will go to him >> to get some cuz he ner would be like I guess like the middle guy I guess to go somewhere else. >> But >> he lives in that neighborhood where he ditch he ditched the car. >> Mhm. >> How close? >> Pretty [ __ ] close. >> Nerf. >> Nerfett. And I threw that name out there before. >> Mhm. And no, no. Oh, we checked by his house. Your kid's not at his house. It's okay. >> What does he look like? >> Um, he's uh looks like he could be like Puerto Rican or >> Mhm. >> something like that. Young, stupid. >> Mhm. Does he live about with his parents? >> Um, I don't know. >> You know who he lives with? >> I don't know who he lives with. I never got out of his house or nothing like that. >> What street? Where can you bring that map for me back out? >> She took them with her. >> Oh. >> Um, is that I can't like starts with an N. >> And it's about say either two streets in. >> Mhm. >> Or fourth street. It's either the second street or the fourth one. It's not Argentine. >> Old Kings. Now you talking about the right next street coming out of your driveway or four streets down old Kings. >> No, in that subdivision when you come out my sub when you come out our apartments and you take that first left, >> you either go down two streets or four streets. >> Okay. >> And I only think that I only think of him because I know that I heard him telling Ruben one time about um he was like, "Yeah, man. Um I know where we could get a good look. you know, if you're interested, it'd be easy. Man, stupid, you know, this, that, and the. So, I know that he would be down for crime >> or, you know, I mean, at least willing to go rob somebody so for the right amount of money. So, why not help prove it for the right amount of money? >> Did you see where the car actually got left? You ever go back there? >> This is the first time that's actually been pinpointed to me where the car was ditched. >> Oh, you never saw it? >> No. >> Did he ever tell you had any family that lived back there? Mm- I didn't even know. >> No, they detectives told me that he had that it was found in front of his a cousin's house. >> I didn't know that he had cousins back there, though. I thought that Nerf was the only person that we knew back there. >> Okay. >> Nerfred's the only house I'd ever been to with him. >> You ever see that guy before? >> [clears throat] >> think so. Okay. Just curious. >> Yeah. Let me go see what she's doing. You need anything? >> Yeah. >> Me, too. >> Yeah, I do. I need you to go over there to the jail house. >> Like I said, you wouldn't believe the number of calls of people that want a few minutes with him out. I sat with your mom for a little while. Um, she wanted to see the the majority of the pictures that I just to make sure that you know I'm I'm clear with both of you. Part of the reason we had to talk to her was to get her information as to whether she harmed the child, whether she was aware the child was harmed, whether the child gotten into any drugs. That was some of the allegations against her. Okay? >> She's given me an answer to that and I'm satisfied with the answer. >> Okay? Some of the things that went on in here with this baby. >> If I ever see you with the black man again, I'll disown you. [snorts] >> You understand me? >> Yeah, I understand you. But you have to understand too. >> White men are just as capable. >> Yeah, let's let's do this. >> Let's do that. >> I understand what you're saying, mama. But >> I'm not like that. Okay. I'm not going that way. I understand where she's coming from. >> Yeah, because it was a black man that does this. I understand. >> But let's just say this, >> but there are plenty of white men that have done the same thing. >> You stick to your own. >> Here's the thing. At [snorts] this time and point, I want >> Investigators return to the timeline and begin narrowing the window in which the injury could have happened. Barton agrees the bruise wasn't there when she last saw the child without it. That creates a dangerous gap between what she remembers and what investigators believe happened. The detective now has something powerful. Shrinking timeline that leaves fewer places for the truth to hide. >> No, that she's talking about that girl from the club. >> Oh, yeah. No, I thought somebody missed. No, we asked we asked your daughter if she knew there was a there was a girl from Wackos that back in March that went missing. >> Okay. >> Had nothing to do with this. Had nothing to do with Reuben. >> All right. >> It was a girl that went missing that she was never found. >> No. Well, I mean to my knowledge, he had nothing to do with that. [snorts] But that was just to find out if there was common knowledge that this girl went missing from Wackos and how she what what source she went missing. because we have a missing person and sometimes you like to look at patterns and go does somebody know this pattern you know so that's why we were asking we were asking that um [snorts] some of the things that and and I cuz I don't want your mama to be surprised by this okay some of the common things that came out um [snorts] the knowledge of Reuben's drug business okay does that mean she harmed the child no >> there were some things that I'm sure that we would agree that probably weren't the the wisest of decisions that I'm sure she will learn from that occurred. And you two fighting over it probably isn't the greatest idea. More so, [snorts] this is mostly the time to try to figure out where to go from here. Okay, does that make sense? >> There wasn't I'm trying to say she didn't always make the right decisions, but in my mind, she's done nothing to hurt this child. [snorts] If you think I hurt my kid, she >> No, I don't like the idea that >> she doesn't think that. >> I don't think that, but if I did, I'd >> Well, why are you looking at me like that? If I thought he'd hurt my kid, I wouldn't have [ __ ] left him with him. >> And I And And you know that's >> I'm I'm hurt, too. Just because >> Well, you're looking at me like I've done something wrong. I didn't do anything wrong. I didn't know he was going to [ __ ] hurt him. >> Never left my kids with you. If I'm giving you a dirty look, I just >> She's just She's just She just saw these two. And so your reaction is one way, hers is another. Okay, does that make sense? Some people react differently. >> You know, I've never been a big crier. I cry sometimes. I cry alone. Sometimes I don't cry. I'm just, you know, you're >> I'm not I don't No, these are not heartbroken tears. These are the tears that I I gave up that opportunity while he was across this table from me. I would have choke the [ __ ] life out of him if I had known this then. >> I'm just very very angry. >> Well, I'm going do everything I can to get him put in Baker. >> Well, they give him the let >> do this. Let's let the process go where it's going. So, at this point, I want you both to understand um we're going to continue to make this case. We work, as you know, with the state attorney's office daily. Mr. Manti, u Miss Corey, Miss Kite. >> Why didn't he just call me tell me, uh, I can't deal with your kid? I don't understand that. >> Nobody's Nobody knows that. I've kept one of my other grandkids all the time. [snorts] >> Yeah, he knows that because something happened that that caused something to happen. And >> she said she kind of feels like he just maybe just snapped and lost it. And it's possible >> he hurt like just went. >> But you don't snap on a baby like him. He was too sweet. >> Do you know when you know baby to start with? But >> he'll look at me. Do you know when my last >> my baby >> I know. Do you know when >> I know it's your baby, but it's my baby too. >> Lord have mercy Jesus. Okay. Thank you. My last baby death was Florida, Georgia this past year. That's just mine. There's 24 people in this office to to try to understand why these men do what they do. I can't ever begin to explain it to you. There are all sorts of opportunities. >> I don't trust men. Did I tell you if I ever divorced your daddy, you would never have another man under my roof? Why was that? I don't trust men. You wonder how I ended up with one? No. Daddy since I was 14. He made his mistakes, but I told him, I said, "You won't make them with me. You made them with your first wife. I've known you because my his sister >> sister daddy >> his his wife and my aunt were sisters. So I'd known him all my life and I knew the mistake that he had made. I said, "You won't make that mistake with me." And he did time. >> I get it. >> But anyway, I wasn't do with nothing with children, right? >> He was good with children. Very good with children. Speaking of >> so I believe that everybody deserved a second chance but not you know not this kind of chance not being a murderer not on an innocent baby. >> Nope. >> Not even a teenager. Not even a 5year-old fouryear-old 10y old. [laughter] >> I know Lord. How do you talk? >> That was the sweetest baby. >> I know. And talking was never cried. >> Mama let her get done. Please let her get done. I pray you go home. >> Listen you you understand what you read in my paper right? Hm. >> You don't get to go home. >> What >> did you hear? Did you ask me if that was a warrant sign for you? >> Yeah. >> That's was signed for you for child neglect. Yes. >> Child neglect. >> Yeah. It's not for It's not for hurting your child as far as this incident. >> Barton becomes increasingly emotional as detectives confront her with the possibility that Reuben staged the entire abduction. She insists that if she had known he was hurting her child, she would have stopped him herself. But the evidence keeps pointing back to the same question. if she didn't know, what did she actually notice before it was too late? That question carries the interrogation toward its final reckoning. >> Okay. On his head, just like when your mama talked, if that baby has an injury on his head like that, you have to immediately get him care. Okay. Right or wrong? >> Yeah. Okay. So, I need a lawyer. >> That's up to you. I can't I can't give you that information. >> Okay. Well, >> I didn't see no He was not hurt when I had him. >> I believe that >> he was not. >> Well, tell her I love him. She wants Listen, at this I'm going to let you sit in here with her, but when she asked for a lawyer, I want to >> I know you do, but when she asked for a lawyer, I have to do what you need to do is I'll get a phone call sometime tomorrow. I'll get a phone call. going to leave that [ __ ] house where I can't where you can't accept my call >> cuz I'm not going to have no money on my books either and it could take a week for them to get me out. >> You need cash right now for put money on the books so you can have fun at window out there and go get you some. >> That's fine. What you do is you come right here. Remember the state the big when we came in where we came in at where you parked. You know where we parked at across the road? >> I'll find it. >> The jail visitation center is right here. The big two stairways that come up together right there that we passed and there's two computers in there. You need to ask her how you put money in there for me. And that'll allow me to buy a calling card where I can call you and it won't charge your phone bill. Okay? Where it won't cost you. I'll be able to order a calling card and some [ __ ] tan loss. I'm gonna um look for a lawyer tomorrow. I will they'll send me several and then I'll meet with a couple of them >> until I don't know why he done that. >> I don't know either. But it's just like I said he didn't have no toleration. >> I won't be in here long. I wouldn't be I won't be in jail long. A thirdderee felony is the least charge they can give you. No, he'll get his >> They're giving me the very very lowest one that they can. >> Yeah, he took he took away our >> Oh, he's getting the death penalty. No, make sure that he >> But I can tell you this. >> If he don't get [clears throat] a bullet between his head, >> bingo. >> He didn't have to do that. He gave us our baby. All he had to do is say, "Come get this baby." >> I'm going tell you this right now. I'm going to do everything I can to get him in the baker. I'm going to go find out. >> Do you hear me? >> Tomorrow you start calling down here. You need to let Hugh Fish know I'm locked up. >> What do you see, Bio? Look closely at his story. What do you think really happened? Was it truly an accident or is he leaving something out? Drop your theory in the comments. >> Want more interrogation breakdown? >> Hidden details and psychological analysis. Like, comment, subscribe for more interrogation breakdowns.