The Disappearance of Caylee Anthony
Does Her Mother Hold the Key to Her Wherabouts?
According to Casey, she dropped little Caylee off with a babysitter and has not seen her since. Florida investigators have reported that the babysitter does not exist and the supposed address of the babysitter is an apartment that has not been occupied for several months.
Alarming Revelations
Caylee’s grandmother, Cindy Anthony, alerted the authorities when Casey could not produce her granddaughter for over a month, again claiming Caylee was with the babysitter. Finally, after detecting a foul smell in Casey’s car Cindy became alarmed and investigators began questioning Casey about Caylee’s whereabouts.
Casey Wants Independence
Casey and Caylee had lived with Cindy and George Anthony from the time Caylee was born. Recently Casey had indicated she wanted to take Caylee and move out of her parent’s home. On June 9, Casey does just that and allegedly drops Caylee off at the babysitter’s residence. Only a day or so later, Casey tells her parents that she is having the babysitter, Zenaida Fernandez-Gonzalez, watch Caylee while she goes on a business trip for her employer, Universal Studios.
During this time, she allegedly tells friends that Caylee was spending the weekend with the “nanny.” While her family believes Casey is on a business trip, she is out at clubs drinking and partying with friends, which was seen in recently released photographs.
Important Dates
Originally, Cindy Anthony had believed she had not seen her granddaughter Caylee since June 9, 2008. However, Cindy recovered a videotape date stamped June 15, 2008 in which Caylee is visiting her great-grandfather at an assisted living facility.
On June 24, 2008, an ex-fiancé claims that he spoke to Casey on the phone and heard Casey reprimand Caylee for climbing on a table. He also believes he heard Caylee’s voice in the background.
Lies, Lies, and More Lies
During the initial investigation, not only did Casey lie about the babysitter and her address, she also lied to authorities about working at Universal Studios. In actuality, Casey had been fired from the organization in 2006. In addition, when asked why she did not report her daughter missing for a month, she claimed she was doing her own investigation.
Disturbing Evidence
Casey was arrested July 16, 2008 and charged with making false statements to authorities, obstructing an investigation, and child neglect. In the mean time, Casey’s car was searched using a cadaver dog who indicated the foul smell Cindy Anthony had noted was the scent of a dead body. Law enforcement also found dirt, an unknown stain, and hairs in the trunk, which will be forensically tested. On August 1, 2008, Florida CSI personnel entered the Anthony home and exited with two large paper bags.
Casey Is Stone Cold
Casey’s bond hearing resulted in bail set at $500,000 and a scolding from Judge Stan Strickland who chastised Casey for her behavior. While in court, Casey appeared to show no remorse or emotion. Casey’s attorney, Jose Baez filed a motion seeking Casey’s release, however, the motion was denied.
Grandmother Changes Her Tune
Cindy Anthony has appeared on various media news outlets to plea for the return of Caylee. Cindy is now convinced her daughter, Casey, has done nothing wrong and seems to imply that Casey knows something, but unless she is released, she cannot help authorities. This is also the message being sent by Casey’s attorney, Baez, who allegedly asked authorities for immunity for his client in return for a statement from Casey regarding Caylee’s whereabouts.
No Closer to Finding Caylee
There have been several erroneous sightings of Caylee around the country, with none having any validity. Although Casey maintains she has tried to help authorities, investigators have stated nothing could be further from the truth. Law enforcement, family, and concerned citizens continue to diligently search for Caylee, while Casey remains in her cell, likely holding the secret to little Caylee Anthony’s untimely disappearance.
