Only two-years-old, little Caylee Anthony disappeared on or about June 15, 2008 and the only person who has had a story to tell about that day is 22-year-old Casey Anthony, Caylee’s mother.
According to Casey, Caylee was dropped off with a babysitter, Zenaida Gonzalez, and when she returned to pick Caylee up, both were missing. Law enforcement authorities in Florida do not believe the babysitter exists, since the address Casey gave them for the babysitter is an apartment that had been empty for several months prior to the time Caylee went missing.
Cindy Alerts Authorities
Cindy Anthony, Casey’s mother and Caylee’s grandmother, contacted local law enforcement when Casey would not tell her where Caylee had been for over a month. Cindy became alarmed when she smelled a foul odor in Casey’s care and called 911 to report Caylee missing. This was the catalyst into the investigation into Caylee’s disappearance.
Casey Leaves Home with Caylee
Caylee’s biological father is still unknown, she and Casey had lived with George, and Cindy Anthony from the time Caylee was born. Reports indicate Casey wanted her freedom and moved out of the family home in June of 2008, taking Caylee with her. Casey told George and Cindy she had dropped Caylee off at Zenaida’s to babysit while she goes on a business for Universal Studios, Casey’s supposed employer.
Photographs have emerged of Casey during this time out at clubs drinking and partying with friends, all during the time Caylee is missing.
Casey's Lies
Casey lied to authorities about the babysitter and her address, and also lied about her employment status. Casey had been an employee at Universal Studios—but not for about two years, since she had been fired from their employ in 2006.
Although out partying and acting as if she had no care in the world, Casey claimed she did not report Caylee missing for a month because she was conducting her own investigation.
Arrested and Charged
Casey was arrested the first time in July 2008 and charged with obstructing an investigation, child neglect, and making false statements to authorities. During this time, authorities found a suspicious stain and some hairs in Casey’s car trunk. The hair strands were tested and forensics determined they belonged to Caylee. These strands of hair also showed signs of decay. Traces of chloroform were found in the trunk as well.
For Casey, the Orange County jail seemed to have a revolving door as she was in and out of jail after being bailed out by several times by different parties. Eventually, Casey was arrested for fraud because she had stolen and used a friend's checks without permission.
Finally, in October 2008, Casey was charged with first-degree murder.
A Tragic Find
On December 11, 2008, small bones were found by a utility worker very near the Anthony home in a wooded area that were identified shortly thereafter as little Caylee's remains. The coroner, Dr. G. indicated at a press conference that the cause of death was homicide.
Casey Anthony is expected to stand trial for the murder of little Caylee sometime in spring of 2009.
Cindy Adams - Cindy Adams has been a freelance writer for several years and specializes in research and academic writing. Despite this, she is addicted ...
