Where is Caylee Anthony's Father? Why Aren't Police Investigating an Important Clue in the Case?

George Anthony, the father of accused murderess Casey Anthony, and grandfather of slain toddler Caylee Anthony, recently attempted suicide in a Daytona Beach hotel, miles from his home on Hopespring Drive. His desperate act and the consequent media attention underscores a glaring omission in the Caylee Anthony tragedy. George Anthony, a former grandfather, wrestles with suicidal depression as a result of the tragic events of the past year. Where is Caylee’s father?

The Curious Silence About Caylee’s Father

An August 4, 2008 report ,by Channel 9 WFTV News, stated that the Anthony family didn’t know who fathered Caylee. There was some speculation on the internet that Jesus Ortiz, a former Colonial High School classmate of Casey Anthony, could be the father. Mr. Ortiz died in a car crash in the Spring of 2008, and his family reported to the Orange County Sheriff’s office that, to their knowledge, their son never dated or even knew Casey Anthony.

Apparently, suspicion about his paternal ties to the slain toddler was sparked by the condolences on his MySpace page, which included one from “Caylee Anthony." The Orange County Sheriff's Office was supposed to use the late Mr. Ortiz’s blood, obtained from a toxicology sample, to establish or negate his paternity to the unfortunate Anthony toddler. If the DNA test was ever conducted, there is no record of it on the internet.

Is Caylee’s Father Relevant to the Investigation?

The relationship between Caylee’s parents is a clue in determining Casey Anthony’s mental state last spring when her daughter disappeared. Although it is apparent, whatever the courts may prove about her guilt or innocence, that Casey Anthony suffered from some form of mental illness, that diagnosis is not sufficient to understand the heinous nature of the crime that she is accused of perpetrating.

Many people suffer from mental illness or head injuries and they lead productive and healthy lives with proper rehabilitation, medication, and therapy. Only Casey Anthony’s partner in fathering Caylee knows her reaction to the pregnancy, the events that precipitated it, and the events immediately consequent to the conception. This information would seem to have an enormous impact, not only in terms of evidence, but in consequent sentencing if, in fact, a guilty verdict is reached.

Have the Police Already Identified Caylee’s Father?

The silence from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office indicates that the police may, in fact, already know the identity of the slain toddler’s father. Perhaps this information is part and parcel of the prosecution’s case. If not, one has to wonder why the identity of Caylee Anthony’s father is a clue that Orange County detectives do not choose to pursue.

Jan 30, 2009 4:06 PM

Guest :

I keep feeling like there is some undisclosed information as to the parentage of Caylee that the Anthony's are holding and it is adding to the depression and feelings of suicide for Mr. Anthony.

Jan 31, 2009 10:00 AM

Guest :

hubby and I have been watching Caylee's disappearance and discovery since from beginning. I need to ask Nancy Grace if Lee Anthony could be the undocumented father which would cause secrets and shame for the family. Accusations of Lee (Casey's brother) had tried to force her into having sex, or assaulting her sexually her, possibly one nite during an argument and a nite of partying. Caylee is very visible to everyone and distinctive for baby Caylee to to be named after Lee. What is the possibility? Caylee's name has been mispelled quite often as Cayalee and/or Caylee. Could this be another twist for the defense? Question #2. Casey said behind bars to her mom she was going to write letters to her brother, lawyers, mom, dad to tell everyone the truth. Were these letters ever written or received? Observations by myself of Caylee being held by the great-grandfather seemed rehearsed and uncomfortable, eventually Caylee eased her body. Was the man who held her so tenderly told of the gruesome crime committed? Who is the law protecting in this case? An abuser has consequences in the real world, a mother charged with murder will have another year to live and spin web after web of lies when her daughter did not have a choice how,when to begin her life.

Feb 2, 2009 11:05 PM

Guest :

I think and have thought for a while that if you find out who the father is that you will fill in some missing blanks to this case . I wonder why Nancy Grace has not had any comments about this . I also think that the father , if alive , has a rite to know he had a daughter , especially under these circumstances . Why would the Anthony family not try to find out who the father was from child birth on , especially for child support issues and health issues . Seems like something is being kept secret here .

Feb 28, 2009 10:06 AM

Guest :

I am wondering if the father is Casey's brother. They have an oddly close relationship. I feel like he has been making an extended effort to cover her tracks. He even admitted at the funeral that the two of them have a secret. Why would he be supportive of a secret that would cause Caylee harm unless there is something that he is motivated to cover up too?

Apr 24, 2009 3:40 PM

Guest :

I agree with one of your guests' comments. could it be that Casey's Dad George is the father of Caylee??
His 'breakdown' points towards more than the great stress any parent would have to go through in death of grandchild..... this is an unusual response by George.
Caylee resembles George and Lee, Casey's brother in addition. Such a tragic end to this little angel's life!