Scroll Left Scroll Right

U.S. Prosecutors: Colo. gunman threatened professor 1 of 9
World Iran: "Rural white" Americans fond of Ahmadinejad 2 of 9
U.S. Minneapolis gunman had just been fired: Police 3 of 9
Gallery Manipulated photography before Photoshop 4 of 9
Sports Regular NFL refs return, get standing ovation 5 of 9
CBS This Morning Beach Boys reuniting for last time? 6 of 9
Politics Voter registration fraud claims singe GOP 7 of 9
Entertainment Another ratings coup for Honey Boo Boo 8 of 9
World Somali militants forced from last stronghold? 9 of 9

July 15, 2011 12:21 PM

Print
Text

Casey Anthony's father George supports "Caylee's Law"

By: Camille Mann
Topics: Daily Blotter

George Anthony reacts during his testimony at his daughter Casey Anthony's trial June 29, 2011.

/ AP Photo/Red Huber

(CBS/WKMG/AP) ORLANDO, Fla. - "Caylee's Law," which would make it a felony for parents or caregivers to not report the death of a child to authorities within one hour and a child's disappearance within 24 hours, is gaining momentum in Florida as well as other states, and Casey Anthony's father George has decided to speak out in support of it.

Pictures: Casey and Caylee Anthony, personal photos

Talks of the legislation began shortly after Casey Anthony was found not guilty of murder in the death of her 2-year-old daughter, Caylee. A petition for the new law has1.1 million signatures, including George Anthony's, reports CBS affiliate WKMG.

"This is a great legacy for my granddaughter. Other children still need assistance. If it reflects on my daughter, well, so be it," George Anthony said to a Washington Post blogger.

Last week Casey Anthony was acquitted on first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse and aggravated manslaughter charges in the death of her daughter, Caylee.

Caylee Anthony was not reported missing until 30 days had passed.

Judge Belvin Perry sentenced Anthony to a total of four years in jail on four counts of providing false information to law enforcement, as well as a fine of $4,000, plus court costs. However, due to credit for time served and good behavior, Anthony is scheduled to be released this Sunday.

Several other states are also seriously considering adopting "Caylee's Law."

Complete coverage of Casey Anthony on Crimesider

85 Photos

Casey Anthony personal photos

View the Full Gallery »

21 Comments +

Add a Comment See all 21 Comments


by SinisterTwist July 20, 2011 1:45 PM EDT: I have a hard time with this law as it currently stands. It's a good idea but it's too easily abused and manipulated. What about all of the different circumstances?

What if the person who is supposed to report the death/disappearance is so distraught that they can't react? That they're in denial? What if the person is being threatened by someone else to keep quiet? This actually happens a LOT, especially if the death was due to one person abusing the child. You don't know how easily controlled an abused person can be until you've either walked in their shoes or tried to help one escape their situation. They're literally brainwashed by the abuser. What about the cases where a parent doesn't know a kid is dead or missing? What if little Suzy died in her sleep and the parents didn't report it at first because they didn't think she was dead? What about the cases where a parent wants to wait to see if their kid reappears, afraid that reporting the kid to the police might end badly? What if the parents aren't close to civilization and can't get to a phone or to an area where they have reception, like if they were to go camping? There's a lot of circumstances to think of.

Even if these things were written into the law it would still be easy for an actual guilty person to lie in order to save their skin. In a lot of cases it'd be hard to prove that they knew the kid was dead or missing.

I think it's a good idea but without it being refined this is going to be an easily corrupted and misused law that will only end up wasting the taxpayer's money and monopolizing the police force's time as they try to weed through the reports to see which ones actually require their attention and which are just parents who had genuine circumstances beyond their control. As it is now this would only do more harm than good and wouldn't really end up deterring actual crimes since there'd be a lot of parents getting out of the felony charges because of their specific circumstances.; Reply to this comment


by Toostie July 15, 2011 7:51 PM EDT: Hard to believe that anyone in this world would not report
a child missing within 1/2 second. Especially a parent.
I still cannot believe the jurors verdict I keep thinking
I'm going to wake up and it was just a dream. Poor Caylee
no justice for her Momster taking her life.
I don't plan on watching or buying antyhing to do with
Casey. Someone this evil does not deserve anything good in
her life.
Glad her Dad is not welcoming her back home I hope him and Cindy
never do. They need to honor their precious little granddaughter Caylee.; Reply to this comment

by nobiskits1 July 15, 2011 4:38 PM EDT

George Anthony needs to be the one in that family to do the right thing. George needs to file the civil action against Casey for the loss of his granddaughter. I agree that they all lied to protect that girl. Chances are they have been doing just that for most of Casey's life.

Great article by Peter Hyatt. Critical thinking, something we all need to get back to.

http://seamusoriley.blogspot.com/2011/07/critical-thinking-and-casey-anthony.html

People know that by being outraged it is sending a big
"I love you" to Caylee. An HONEST and TRUE big love.

Reply to this comment


by Bobbb33 July 15, 2011 6:00 PM EDT: Everyone must support Caylee's law. In fact schools and daycare centers must be involved in this law, if a school or a daycare center loses contact with a child under 18 for over 10 days, that school or daycare center must immediately report that fact to the police and police must investigate the exact whereabouts of the child. If the parents have moved and are not traceable at original location, a national BOLO (Be on Look Out) must be issued in their name.

by cwtloki July 15, 2011 3:35 PM EDT

It is amazing that this even has to be made a law for crying out loud.

Reply to this comment


by suese July 15, 2011 6:28 PM EDT: I so agree with you! We don't need any more laws. I understand that it is a way to get some justice for Caylee and I am all for that though.

by stephaniedaugherty July 15, 2011 2:08 PM EDT

I think the courts did the right thing, even if she was guilty it still wasn't proven beyond a reasonable doubt. That's how the system has to work, or we'd be putting more completely innocent people in jail than we already do.

I think the principle behind Caylee's law is sound, but we need to take the time to think about all the details. Laws shouldn't be made out of strong emotional reaction, they should be made after careful deliberation. Hasty lawmaking results in things like the child abandonment safe haven law that in one state let parents abandon any child, no mater what the age.

As an example of the details that have to be worked out in the case of Caylee's law, the parent has to know the chile is missing to be able to report the fact - if the child is in someone else's care, they may not know right away that the child is missing. If the law applies only to parents, there's another loophole right there, or perhaps a case where a parent will be punished for a caregiver's silence. All these little things need to be worked out, or the law will perpetuate injustice, rather than fixing it.

Reply to this comment


by angelofurnightmare July 18, 2011 10:52 AM EDT: I agree that the law needs to be well written and cover as many bases as possible. It is so sad to me that there needs to a be law to tell some people to report a child missing. It seems that simple love and common sense should dictate that you try to locate a missing child

by harrystruman7 July 15, 2011 1:38 PM EDT

I propose we create a law where it is illegal to kill your child.
Once this is passed than there will be no need for the caylee's law.

Reply to this comment


by suese July 15, 2011 6:31 PM EDT: Or, to at least report it immediately if your child is in harms way or has been harmed. It takes all kinds for sure and Casey is one sick puppy.

by erasmus111 July 15, 2011 1:33 PM EDT

"'Caylee's Law,' which would make it a felony for parents or caregivers to not report the death of a child to authorities within one hour and a child's disappearance within 24 hours..."

I cannot believe that there isn't already a law!!

Reply to this comment


by suese July 15, 2011 6:31 PM EDT: You would think that would fall under child neglect!!! How could the jury no see that??

by NoSacredCow July 15, 2011 1:17 PM EDT

I don't agree with the one hour notification. Some grief stricken parent cradling their child in their arms is going to think "Hey I've got 50 minutes left to call the authorities"???
I don't think so. Is there going to be discretion when it's enforced or will they make it mandatory?
Reactionary laws created in situations like these can do more harm than good.

Reply to this comment


by erasmus111 July 15, 2011 1:37 PM EDT: Most parents wouldn't have a problem with reporting the death of a child immediately. Why? Because most parents would be calling 911 in hopes that their child could be REVIVED!! It's a natural instinct! For most people, that is.


by AMH2730 July 16, 2011 12:52 AM EDT: The only people who wouldn't notify the cops immediately, whether their children are missing or dead, are those who played a part in whatever is wrong with the kid. Who the Hell WOULDN"T want the police to get there a.s.a.p?


by SinisterTwist July 20, 2011 1:36 PM EDT: You guys obviously haven't dealt with a grief stricken person before. Sometimes people go catatonic when faced with extreme problems or be so overwhelmed with emotion that it was impossible for them to have any rational thought. True story- I had a friend who committed suicide. The person who discovered them ended up being so horrified that they didn't move, talk or do anything for at least a good 30-40 minutes. They were so traumatized that they were rooted to the spot. And before you ask, no. They didn't kill anyone. It was a very obvious suicide and the friend had people to vouch for their whereabouts.

That's the problem with this law so far. It's not taking into account the different ways people react and some truly innocent people might get hurt because they didn't react how you think people should react.

by RetiredandBored July 15, 2011 12:54 PM EDT

The Anthonys were instrumental in helping their daughter be acquitted by lying at various times on the stand. They should have put Caylee first. When the car was recovered, George should have immediately called the police instead of taking the car home, cleaning it and destroying vital evidence. Maybe Caylee's Law will help other children, but it's way too late to help poor little Caylee.

Reply to this comment


by Jhihmoac July 15, 2011 1:59 PM EDT: Exactly!


by USMC-Mom July 15, 2011 2:04 PM EDT: Sadly true, but if the Law is made and passed and used to the fullest then hopefully the next time justice will be served... because there are too many children killed by those they trust most.


by moonflower2010 July 16, 2011 10:29 AM EDT: George didn't clean the car. He had to go to work. You must understand that his wife was the boss, not him. Just like he said in his suicide letter. He knew something was amiss with his daughter, but was told to stop being negative by his wife.
The only thing I can fault him for is staying with his lying wife.
Also, He should sue that River Cruz person or whatever her alias is now. She told the police they had no sexual relationship, but gets on the stand and says they did.
Yes, perjury was committed by several, but not George, in my opinion. :)


by DenverBroncofan July 15, 2011 12:36 PM EDT: I wonder if Caesy will be able to to the state or government for using her name as a law title?; Reply to this comment