Missing Toddler - The Caylee Marie Anthony Case

In Orlando, Florida, a young child is missing and the mother is sitting in jail awaiting her turn in court. Recently, new developments have developed in the case, but none have led to the safe return of this beautiful toddler. According to the Internet Broadcasting System (2008), the local authorities have been actively searching for a two-year named Caylee Marie Anthony. The child has been missing, since June 9, 2008, but the mother "waited five weeks" to tell anyone that the toddler was missing. Subsequently, the mother was "arrested on July 16, 2008" for "obstructing the investigation" into her daughter's disappearance.

In addition, the 22 year old has stated, "she was conducting her own investigation" into her child's kidnapping. Casey Anthony has declared her innocence and has told authorities that Caylee has been dropped off with a babysitter" on the night the toddler disappeared. However, authorities have tracked down and questioned the babysitter that the mother has accused of taking her daughter. The woman "denies ever watching Caylee Anthony," so the police are baffled as to the whereabouts of this precious little girl.

The Investigation Continues

Case Update

The mother has admitted to authorities that she knowingly lied during the initial investigation, which has caused the police to wonder if she was involved in her child's disappearance. This deception and lack of emotions have caused the local authorities to investigate the mother. According to IBS (2008) the detectives admit that they are left with more questions than answers in this case. They are hoping that releasing this story to the public will help them find out the truth about what happened to Caylee Anthony. Fortunately, since going public, the authorities have been flooded with many tips.

National Attention

This case has gained national attention, since the story became public. Caylee Anthony has captured hearts with her infectious smile and big beautiful eyes. Her story has been feature on many national news stations and in popular magazines. According to IBS (2008), People Magazine featured the child's story, and it wasn't favorable toward Casey Anthony. In addition, several blogs have popped up about the toddler's disappearance. Hopefully, all this public exposure will bring Caylee home and get to the truth of what happened.

Grandparents Questioned

The grandparent's are standing beside her, despite her inconsistencies to the police and her past behavior. Recently, they have voiced their concerns about their daughter's "right to a fair trial". According to FCN (2008), the detectives and FBI have questioned the grandparents, in order to see what information they could add to this case. Unfortunately, the grandmother has made many inconsistent statements. Additionally, many of anonymous tips have led the detectives and FBI agent back to the grandparent's house on several occasions.

Grandmother's Inconsisties

Calls to Police

According to (2008) "grandmother called 911" and reported that Casey Anthony had "stolen a car" and "money" on "July 15^". Furthermore, Cindy Anthony expressed "concern" over her granddaughter's absence, which prompted the search for Caylee. She also stated that she
hasn't seen" or "heard" from Caylee or Casey in "since June 7". However, recently she told others that she "talked to Casey everyday" (IBS, 2007), without fail. She has completely changed her statements, which caused the mystery to deepen. The media and public are wondering why they believe their daughter, even though she had lied to them on multiple occasions.

Smell in Car

During the initial 911 calls, thegrandmother made several statements about a terrible smell being in the car. As she discussed the reason for her call, she stated several times to the operator that the car "smells like death" (IBS, 2008). Now, she is changing her story and blaming the smell on rotten food that was let in to car. However, a "deputy" that the car had a "decomposition smell" when the police impounded it. Theses statement has caused the public and the police speculate that Casey knows more than she is saying. Nevertheless, the grandmother still feels her daughter is innocent and she is telling everyone who will listen. They have held press conferences and have appeared on the national news. They have tried to rally support from the public, but many people have brought up the inconsistencies in the grandmother's story. Some people question whether the grandmother is covering for her daughter'

Media Statements

They have been very public with their support for their daughter and have held many press conferences. They have accused the police of building a "circumstantial case against her daughter Casey Anthony" (FCN, 2008). According to IBS (2008) , the grandparents were angry and felt blindsided by People Magazines coverage of their granddaughter's story. In addition, the grandmother told the media that they were "trying her daughter" for something she didn't do. Recently, she testified in court and swore that "Casey is a good mom" and should be "released on bail". Whereas, investigators revealed that Casey has "withheld evidence and has repeatedly lied during the investigation into her daughter disappearance. The grandfather George Anthony believes his daughter can assist in the investigation, once she is released for jail. However, she her self has made inconsistent or questionable statements, so the public is bias toward her also.

New Developments in the Case

Collecting Evidence

The detectives have revisited the grandparent's house to collect evidence in this case. They have collected "more evidence" (Newport Television, 2008) to examine from the home where the toddler, spent most of her time. According to the IBS (2008) the crime scene investigators collected bags of evidence inside the Anthony's house. In addition, the Casey's attorney has said that "the police are doing their jobs". The police are looking for any clue that will lead to this little girl, since the mother isn't cooperating.

Stolen Gas Cans

The detectives have returned to collect some gas cans, which were inside the Anthony's home. Theses were "reported stolen" around the time that Caylee disappeared and the detectives believe that they were "taken for the car". According to IBS (2008), the grandparents had nothing to say, when police retrieve the gas cans. Police believe that Casey may have taken them the night she disappeared, so they will be testing the cans for any evidence or fingerprints. The detectives believe that these cans were in the truck of the car that Casey was driving.

FBI Joins Investatigation

The Federal Bureau of Investigations has joined the case and agents have begun questioning those related to this case. According to IBS (2008) the agents have questioned Cindy Anthony for over six hours. The grandmother has stated that she is happy that the FBI joined this investigation, because "more people are looking for Caylee". However, the detectives involved have become "frustrated", because the family seems to know more than they are saying. The police and agents are trying to get Casey to "trust them" and tell what she knows.

Conclusion

This helpless child is out there somewhere and she needs to come home, with or without the mother's help. Honestly, it is possible that the mother killed her own daughter, just as it is possible that the child was actually kidnapped. Unfortunately, Casey Anthony's actions and behavior has made her look suspicious. However, the police and FBI are working together to bring this little girl home, but they can't do it without Casey's help. Nevertheless, the mother is still refusing to talk to anyone, but her attorney and her family. The Anthony's are claiming that Casey feels that the detectives are "building a case against her" (IBS, 2008). Therefore, the authorities are working hard to bring this toddler home, no matter what the outcome is.

References First Coast News (2008) Grandmother Mum in Case of Missing GirlRetrieved on the World Wide Web on August 6, 2008http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/news-article.aspx?storyid=115282

Internet Broadcasting System, Inc. (2008) Girl Not Reported Missing For 5 Weeks; Mom Doing

Own Search: Case Baffles Central Florida Investigation

Retrieved on the World Wide Web on August 3, 2008

http://www.news4jax.com/news/16909249/detail.html

Internet Broadcasting System, Inc. (2008)Police Seize Evidence In Missing Girl Mystery: Mother Jailed On Child Neglect Charge

Retrieved on the World Wide Web on August 3, 2008

http://www.news4jax.com/news/17071877/detail.html

Newport Television LLC (2008) New evidence collected in missing girl's case

Retrieved on the World Wide Web on August 3, 2008

http://www.fox30online.com/news/national/story.aspx?content_id=f49eb3ad-3ccd-4f22-b239-0555db513c43

Internet Broadcasting Systems (2008) People Magazine Article 'Blindsides' Missing Girl's Family: DNA Results Expected In Anthony Case

Retrieved on the World Wide Web on August 5, 2008

http://www.news4jax.com/news/17082604/detail.htmlInternet Broadcasting System (2008) 911 Calls Show Inconsistencies In Missing-Girl Mystery: Call: 'Daughter's Car Smells Like Dead Body'

Retrieved on the World Wide Web on August 4, 2008

http://www.news4jax.com/news/16985356/detail.html

Internet Broadcasting System (2008) Deputy: Mom's Car Smelled Of 'Decomposition'

Retrieved on the World Wide Web on August 5, 2008

http://www.news4jax.com/news/16957366/detail.html