Evidence Links Remains To Caylee's House

Officials Release 911 Call Made After Discovery Of Remains Found In Woods Near Home Of Missing Fla. Toddler

(CBS/AP)  The search for missing Caylee Anthony may be over.

A medical examiner found evidence among a child's remains that link them to the home of the missing toddler, the county sheriff said Friday, offering the strongest indication yet that the remains may be those of the 3-year-old girl who disappeared last summer.

Orange County Sheriff Kevin Beary said investigators searched the home early Friday after the medical examiner found "some clues that came out of the remains" that "linked it to the house." He would not say what clues were found.

"We took some things out of the house that the forensic people are very interested in," he said.

The remains were found Thursday by a water meter reader on a wooded lot less than a half-mile from the house where 3-year-old Caylee lived with her grandparents and her mother, 22-year-old Casey Anthony.

Meanwhile, Florida officials on Friday released a 911 call placed by the worker who found the remains.

During the approximately 2 minutes of tape released Friday an official identifies the area where a skull was found as "the Caylee Anthony area."

A male caller from Orange County Utilities emergency dispatch center tells the 911 operator, "We've found a human skull" before handing the call over to another man. The 911 operator gasps and tells the caller to make sure the worker doesn't touch it.

CBS News correspondent Mark Strassman reported that DNA testing of the remains is underway, and detectives hope to have a positive ID of the remains by this weekend.

Beary said his investigators and the FBI would work around the clock and through the weekend to identify the child.

Asked if he believed if the remains are Caylee, Beary said: "I think it's a good possibility, but I have to wait seven to 14 days for the DNA analysis."

There are no other similar missing-child cases in the area.

"I say my prayers every day and one of them is to solve this case," said Beary, who is retiring in January. "I just hope that we solve the case on my watch."

A judge denied a motion Friday filed by the defense to inspect the remains, saying they must wait for a positive identification.

"The investigation continues, and with this recent development, I believe that everybody is going to be probably re-interviewed and we're going to talk to everybody," Police Captain Angelo Nieves of the Orange County Sheriff's Department told CBS Early Show anchor Julie Chen.

The investigators' focus now: the Anthonys' home. Detectives searched it again overnight, with the family kept out.

CBS affiliate WKMG reports that crime scene detectives removed materials, including seven large paper bags and four boxes of evidence. They also seized four vacuum cleaners and two pesticide tanks.

CBS News legal analyst Lisa Bloom said investigators are likely searching for possible matches between trash bags and duct tape found at the crime scene and what is at the grandparents' house. "If so, there is potentially a case against the grandparents," Bloom told Chen. "I emphasize 'potentially' for accessory after the fact, although no charges are pending against them."

It's the latest turn in a sad, six-month mystery in which a three-year-old girl disappeared one month before her mother reported the disappearance.

Caylee's mother, 22-year-old Casey Anthony, was indicted in October on first-degree murder and other charges, even though the toddler's body hadn't been found. She has insisted that she left the girl with a baby sitter in June, but she didn't report Caylee missing until July.

But Casey and her family have insisted she killed no one.

"We still believe firmly that Caylee is alive," said Cindy Anthony, Caylee's grandmother, last month. "That's where our focus has been from day one."

And in an earlier, recorded jail conversation, Casey Anthony said this about her little girl: "She's not far. I know in my heart she's not far. I can feel it."

Lawrence Kobilinsky, professor of forensic science at John Jay College of Criminal Justice (who has also been retained by Casey Anthony's defense team), told Chen that Caylee's mother, when informed of the discovery, "is apparently quite upset by this finding.

"I'm sure she's having psychological counseling."

Kobilinsky said the first step is to identify the skeletal remains, which he said can be difficult, particularly for a young child. "So you really need to use techniques such as mitochondrial DNA analysis [daughters and mothers share the same mitochondrial DNA]. If there is any soft tissue that remains, the normal PCR (polymerase chain reaction) analysis that we hear about in criminal cases is applicable."

Testing, however, may be compromised because of the exposure of the remains to contaminants in the environment. "Keep in mind, this area was under water because of Hurricane Fay until a couple of months ago," Kobilinsky told Chen.

"We may not know the cause of death and that is a key factor here. Even the postmortem interval may not be established with a degree of accuracy, so there are still a lot of questions."

Prosecutors announced last week that they would not seek the death penalty against Casey Anthony. But if DNA tests confirm these remains are little Casey, prosecutors could have the evidence needed to make this a capital case after all: a body.

"If the defense had been able to go to trial without a body being discovered, hopes for reasonable doubt might have been compelling. If the body proves to be Caylee, then it immediately becomes an uphill case for the defense," former U.S. Attorney Kendall Coffey said.

But law experts said it was unlikely the state would reverse its decision because prosecutors still have not determined a motive.

And depending on what the evidence yields, the discovery could also help defense attorneys.

Bloom said that if the remains prove to be Caylee, it drastically alters the defense of her mother: "If they can establish the manner of death is different than what the prosecution alleges, that would be helpful to them."

"If the body was tampered with, if wild animals got to it, if the evidence they get with it is contradictory in some way, then the job (for prosecutors) just got tougher," said Jim Cohen, a law professor at Fordham University in New York.

"This can verify or help to verify their theory: that the child was killed when the prosecution thinks she was killed," said Richard G. Lubin, a criminal defense lawyer based in West Palm Beach. "But until you do some of this scientific work, we don't know what it's going to show."

A spokeswoman with the state attorney's office said Thursday that officials wouldn't comment until the investigation was complete.

Even if it's Caylee, no one can say when the sorrow will end.

"It's a double-edged sword," said family friend Holly Gagne. "Either way there's pain, either way there's suffering. So there's no answer, no right answer."

[msay3]

I don''t think the Grandparents had anything with the child''s death, but I DO THINK that the Grandmother is guilty of obstruction of justice....

[NMlost]

She''s in Dr. G''s good hands for the initial autopsy, then to Quantico for the DNA testing. They''ll take care of her. Bless all those that have looked so long and so hard for this little one.

[myopinion381]

I sincerely hope that it is Caylee so she can be put ro rest properly. And if it does turn out to be her, and they can link the murder to her mother, either lock her up and throw away the key or put her in the chair.

[simplemind2]

It''s extremely ridiculous that some folks would take advantage of this kind of tragic event to push their personal agenda - e.g. media attention, relentless TV interviews, maybe even contemplating a book deal followed by movie contract. The reality might come back to simple truth - with today''s society, what kind of women should have babies and be able to raise them after they are born? Just look at a couple of people''s court episodes and one can realize there exists a lot of unfit women out there SHOULD NOT have babies!

[alliekat6]

The mother waited a month before alerting anyone to the fact her child was missing, she told lie after lie to the police who were looking for her daughter, all with the intention of impeding the investigation into her childs disappearance. The grandmother also didn''t notice her grandaughter was missing for a considerable time and then notified the authorities, yet refuses to accept her daughter may have something to do with it even tho she knows her daughter lied to the police?? I''ve heard of dysfunctional families, but this one really takes the biscuit.
RIP Caylee, may those involved in your death rot in hell

[cherry9105]

The Grandparents are guilty just as much as the mother is. What kind of people could do this to a child. There are so many people out there wanting to adopt yet,some people have to kill the children they have. She is is a better place now. RIP CAYLEE.

[kimmyj43]

I have known all along that that poor baby was dead. The grandparents are just as guilty as Casey. If Casey was my daughter, I would have beat the hell out of her until she told me what happened to that baby. I would have never stood up in front of the whole dang country and made a fool of myself. Cindy Anthony is a stupid, stupid woman and this whole case makes me sick to my stomach. Daughter or not, she should have done something to get that murderer to talk.

[love2bgran]

The ants will be on Larry King AGAIN tonight -- probably by phone -- to discuss the remains. I have to ask . . . WHO, after finding out their grandchild''s remains may have just been found, could POSSIBLY do a phone interview? I would have to be sedeated -- AFTER visiting the jail for a very loud, harsh conversation with my murderous daughter! These people are just unreal!

[cricketbeers]

Hurricane Faye hit in mid-August. Caylee was reported missing in July, but appears to have been missing since early June. The remains were in a trash bag. There was a search of the car as well as a search for Caylee. If this wooded lot was only 1/2 mile from her home, was she buried in that bag? Was she washed up to that particular lot after Faye? Was she stored in the trunk of the car in a bag for several days/weeks? I''m wondering why this lot wasn''t checked initially during the search for her. If it was, I''m assuming the bag was buried because there was all the talk about Casey borrowing the shovel, etc.

Just more questions that need to be answered.

[roulons]

Little spoiled Casey is sickening and her parents are obviously trying to cover for her. Cindy Anthony should be charged with obstruction of justice.

[crystalblue3]

The bag was not buried. It was in a lot that until a week ago was completely underwater. It wasn''t searched because they were afraid of *** up any evidence that may be found there while it was under a few feet of water. When they came back later, it was fenced in.

I watched some of the taped visits between Casey and her parents. Cindy kept prodding Casey about the whereabouts and Casey''s comments about her not being far seemed SO FAKE to me. Like she was saying things just to shut her mother up. No emotion at ALL. Other than she wanted to get out of jail.

This whole thing makes me SICK. I would have personally adopted Caylee if given a chance and I bet you hundreds of others feel the same way. Casey deserves NO mercy and her parents should be slapped for the obvious blind eye they turned.

[byeneocons]

I agree the Grandmother should be charged with obstructions of justice.

In one taped phone conversation, Casey said "I just know she''s nearby Mom, I can feel it."

Yep, she knew the body was only a couple hundred yards from the house.

[demorris4]

I think Casey buried her daughter in the back yard(remember the dogs "hit" on a body in the back yard)and her brother/boyfriend(or mother/father) moved her from the back yard to help cover it up. I think the whole family should be in jail. Cindy gave investigators the wrong hairbrush on purpose, she is as crazy as Casey! A firing squad would be to good for this whole family!!!

[usgeneral-2009]

Meanwhile, just as OJ continues to hunt for the "real killer", Cindy and George continue to search fast-food restaurants and shopping malls trying to find Caylee.

A chronic, habitual, absurd lie is hard to stop.

EXECUTE CASEY!

[nirak2-2009]

ms-1-1-1
It''s pretty hard for the father of the child to talk when he is 6 feet under.

[deathofusa]

- Did the human being known as CAYLEE worthless bio-logical father even so much as say "I LOVED MY DAUGHTER" his face is no where in sight puke AZ whole.
Posted by ms1-1-1 at 11:13 AM : Dec 12, 2008


The problem is that supposedly he died in a car accident a year ago. I don''t believe it. Take a look at the name CAYLEE. It is made up of Cayce''s name and her brother Lee''s name. I may be sick but I think Caylee was a product of Cayce and her brother Lee. Lee was the only one in the family that refused to give a DNA sample and a polygraph.

[davicar1]

A chronic, habitual, absurd lie is hard to stop.
EXECUTE CASEY! ------------------------------------------------- Posted by USGENERAL



= = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Execute an innocent person? You must be a Democrat.

[deathofusa]

Why would you say she`s innocent?
------------------------------------------------------
Posted by Evian_Ycnan at 12:46 PM : Dec 12, 2008


Because he''s DaVicar.

[farremoved]

Why would you say she`s innocent?



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by Evian_Ycnan

Probably since she hasn''t been tried and convicted yet silly! Hopefully due course will lead to her execution.........someday!

[lisaloo99]

I think that people ought to consider that George Anthony may be the guilty party.

He''s really creepy.

He worked in yucky stuff like that at his job for 30 years, and liked it.

A predator sexually abuses his daughter her whole life. He threatens to kill Caylee if she cuts him off or tells.

I think Caylee''s mom is acting like an abused child terrified of the consequences of telling the truth.

Sexual predators threaten their victims and the lives of those the victims love. And sometimes they carry out those threats. I think people need to be looking at George.

On Father''s Day maybe she cut him off, in a rage, he goes to her computer and looks up how to get the materials he needs to kill Caylee. Whoever hurt Caylee knew what stuff to get. Who is Caylee''s father? I''d be doing some dna testing on that as well.

The media and police have been too quick to accuse Caylee''s mom.

[cricketbeers]

cbsmember99 -- your post is very interesting. But why wouldn''t she tell the truth after she''s been in jail for so long? Surely she must know her daughter is dead, right? What is left to lose by telling?

I too think the father and Cindy should be prosecuted for obstruction. They are both very suspicious and creepy. I think they both had a hand in covering this whole thing up.

[deathofusa]

Posted by cbsmember99 at 01:07 PM : Dec 12, 2008


I really think Caylee''s father is Lee, her uncle. Take a look at the name, its made up of Cayse and Lee make Cayle. Lee refused to give a DNA sample and a polygraph. That whole family is screwed up.

[nillyjillie]

I''m a mother of two PRECIOUS little boy''s, that my whole family loves. I know if my kids where missing my mother would''t wait one day to call the cops, if I would''t let her see them talk to them or tell her where my kids were. My mother lives with me just like little Caylee lived with Cindy she knows that child and she knows how her own daughter is how could she believe any thing she said or says? Would you let your grandchild go to a babysitter that you have never seen talked to or knew any thing about? Who would do something like that, and how can Cindy and George cover for her? So many people want children and can''t have them and girls like Casey are blessed with beautiful children and they don''t deserve them. In my eyes the hole Anthony family should fry there all in on it. Those dogs hit at that house something happened there, and there covering it up. To try and save a worthless piece of wasted flesh and skin and air we all breath except little Caylee DEATH caused by her own mother.I hope every breath of air she takes she thinks about what she did to that little baby girl, and her grandparents GOD help them they lie as much as Casey. My mother would kill me her self if i did anything to harm my children, she sure the hell would''t cover for me. R.I.P LITTLE CAYLEE

[ngspeaking]

God bless little Caylee and may she rest in peace now. I hope that Casey does the right thing and tell the truth and not put her family through anymore ordeals as I do not think they can take anymore of her lies. I am sure the public who has been praying night and day for Caylee''s return is quite fed up too.

[davicar1]

Why would you say she`s innocent? -------------------------------------- Posted by Evian_Ycnan




The LAW says that she is innocent, it is THE basic tenet of our Court System. One MUST presume the innocence of the accused until it is proven otherwise.

[davicar1]

I know if my kids where missing my mother would`t wait one day to call the cops, ------------------------------------------- Posted by nillyjillie



UNLESS, of course, YOU had killed them, and she knew.

People, please stop with pretending to be so naive...Casey didn`t ''wait'' 5 weeks to report the child missing...she is the reason the child was missing!

You don`t rob a jewelry store, and hit the alarm on the way out. Criminals need time to set up alibis, conceal evidence, hide the body...

Come on, don`t you know ANYTHING about killing people?

[evian_ycnan]

The LAW says that she is innocent, it is THE basic tenet of our Court System. One MUST presume the innocence of the accused until it is proven otherwise.

Posted by DaVicar1 at 01:55 PM : Dec 12, 2008

So? We`re not in court. We don`t have any such presumption here. That presumption of innocence crapola is for the courtroom. Besides, there`s no presumption of innocence requirement there either. If there were, every defense attorney would begin his voir dire with "Do you believe my client is innocent?"

Jurors are only asked if they believe they can set aside any prior opinions and render a fair verdict based on the evidence presented in the courtroom ; they are never asked for that prior opinion.

[evian_ycnan]

Posted by cbsmember99 at 01:07 PM : Dec 12, 2008

Keep your eyes open. Judging from the Cindy-Casey relationship, it would not suprise me if they don`t try to throw granddaddy under the bus... and he`s just whipped enough to go along.

Those people are enablers and Casey is a psycho.

[debrasimons]

From day 1, I have noted a lack of what appeared to be genuine emotional maternal concern on the part of Caylee''s mother. I believe the whole story was made up as it made no apparent sense whatsoever. A normal caring mother would be screaming in agony if her 2 year old baby disappeared for 30 minutes and she thought she might have been abducted, much less weeks. The accused mother appears to be a sociopath and lacks concern over anything other than her own needs. Debra Reece Simons, Asheville,NC

[davicar1]

My goodness, you sure talk out of both sides of your mouth....What happened to your statement about being innocent until proven otherwise.... --------------------------------------- Posted by willo1301


Oh, I`m just putting my two cents in regarding POSSIBLE scenarios.
I stand by what I said about the importance of the ''Presumption of Innocence'', THE cornerstone of our judicial process.

[rrozsa-2009]

willow1301 -- Sometimes DaVicar1''s posts border on "trolling", but I believe he/she mostly just likes to get people''s dander up. He/she can play devil''s advocate equally against whichever side he/she perceives as getting too "smug"..... Harmless and usually somewhat entertaining IMO.

[davicar1]

there`s no presumption of innocence requirement there either. If there were, every defense attorney would begin his voir dire with "Do you believe my client is innocent?" Jurors are only asked if they believe they can set aside any prior opinions and render a fair verdict based on the evidence presented in the courtroom; they are never asked for that prior opinion ------------------------------------------------------ Posted by Evian_Ycnan


while I am certain that nowhere in the wrold there exists a complete idiot...you certainly come very, very close.
Of course the presumption of innocence is not extended to the jury, they ARE THERE to judge the evidence. Presumption of Innocence is the sole reason that Burden of Proof lies with the prosecution! Why in the world would the State try ANYBODY, if the presumption of innocence were not so? You should at least watch one episode of Law&Order before you write anything here.
SHEESH!!!

[rrozsa-2009]

And I''ve known DaVicar1 every now and then to say something actually memorable.... ;-)

[fush2]

if she wasnst guilty of jack..then she wouldnt have lied now all this is going to blow up in her face...good for her..and im glad that they wont give her the death penalty theres no suffering in that

[docpeter1953]

Keep your eyes open. Judging from the Cindy-Casey relationship, it would not suprise me if they don`t try to throw granddaddy under the bus... and he`s just whipped enough to go along.

Those people are enablers and Casey is a psycho.

Posted by Evian_Ycnan at 02:23 PM : Dec 12, 2008
________________________

Ya know that wouldn''t be too far fetched of an idea. Mom claims her father s&xually abused her and was abusing his granddaughter, and ''acidentally killed her''. Grandma comes out and declares that her husband was knoewn to have s&xually abused her daughter. Both tried to cover-up for fear of grandpa''s reprisal.

Grandpa gets death sentence, mom and grandma get accessory and are out in a few. meanwhile the sell the rights to the book and movie and have income whenreleased from prison.

Think I better start writing the story before someone else does. maybe I can make some $$ also.

Personally though, I do feel a lot of regret for the child, she was such a cute girl and whatever/however this happened it is a shame. She started out with such potential, and her little young life was wasted. God rest her soul.

[docpeter1953]

People, please stop with pretending to be so naive...Casey didn`t ''''''''wait'''''''' 5 weeks to report the child missing...she is the reason the child was missing!

You don`t rob a jewelry store, and hit the alarm on the way out. Criminals need time to set up alibis, conceal evidence, hide the body...

Come on, don`t you know ANYTHING about killing people?

Posted by DaVicar1 at 02:02 PM : Dec 12, 2008
__________________

Evidently not as much as you do. Hmmmmmmmm.

[jsilver2th]

I''ve had an uneasy feeling about grandma for some time- a little too cooperative- the wrong brush tells a lot- very sad- mom seems to be meth victim. mental

[bushwhacked8]

Posted by DaVicar1 at 02:02 PM : Dec 12, 2008

I was wrong about you. Great post.

[cheddarboy82]

this story is getting a little old.

[susieq_13]

I hope this case comes to a rest. May the child they find RIP. She''s w/Jesus and God now. Which is a much better place than this one...

[matrixrx2003]

OMG Tonight on CNN will be complete DRAMA.

Nancy Grace will be having a cow about this & listen to how she says the word Caylee. She can not say the word Caylee correctly.

[bantuman01]

We''re all over looking the obvious here. Caylee''s mother is showing all the classic signs of abused child/adult syndrome and we all know that abuse begets abuse. Caylee is a child born out of incest hence her mother just doesn%u2019t care what happens to her and I believe she is still suffering from the effect of the incestuous act. A DNA test of the whole family is needed to determine exactly who within that family fathered that child. My observation from all the uttering%u2019s and insinuations coming from the Anthony%u2019s house indicates a great elaborate scheme of deceit by all concerned. They knew this beautiful child was dead long ago and I believe after speaking with their daughter it became clear to them the magnitude and ramifications of this horrendous act. I hope the authorities will try to entangle this shameful act within that demented family. beautiful child is dead and I believe after speaking with their daughter it became clear to them the magnitude and ramifications of this horrindeous act.

[debinok1]

My boys are my world, when one of them gets out of sight and I cant find them I go nuts, There is no way I could stand by for weeks not knowing where they were and not call the police. She did something to that child. And she has stalled and lied for months about it.

[rrozsa-2009]

OMG Tonight on CNN will be complete DRAMA.

Nancy Grace will be having a cow about this & listen to how she says the word Caylee. She can not say the word Caylee correctly.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by MatrixRX2003 at 05:11 PM : Dec 12, 2008
=================================================

Yes, you should have heard her last night after the remains were found. Of course, she has been focusing on this case for six months -- my husband and I refer to it as the Where is Caylee show....

[evian_ycnan]

You should at least watch one episode of Law&Order before you write anything here.
SHEESH!!!

Posted by DaVicar1 at 02:38 PM : Dec 12, 2008

Well, at least we now have your creds.

Regards,

[debinok1]

Caylee''''s mother is showing all the classic signs of abused child/adult syndrome and we all know that abuse begets abuse
Posted by bantuman01
*********************
You are wrong! I was abused as a child, the cycle can be broken, it is a choice you have to make. Some people choose not to break it. If she was abused, she had the option to leave or to tell someone. If she chose to continue the violence with her own child that was her CHOICE.

[bushwhacked8]

Posted by DebinOK1 at 05:34 PM : Dec 12, 2008

Exactly. It''s the classic "the devil made me do it" excuse. Blame someone or something else for your actions then sit back and wait for the sympathy.

[debinok1]

Exactly. It''''s the classic "the devil made me do it" excuse. Blame someone or something else for your actions then sit back and wait for the sympathy.
Posted by Bushwhacked8
********************
To many people use the bad things in their lives as excuses for the bad things they do, it ends up making everyone who ever went through what they did look bad. Overcoming what I went through wasnt easy, it took years of counseling and then more years in parenting classes undoing the damage, But its a choice, you either use the abuse as a crutch or you choose not to. Its that simple.

[lmartink]

Sounds like a suitable penalty for this *** would be a death sentence. Ten years sitting in prison thinking about it, and then one day "zap".

How many people out there would have loved to have adopted this little 3 year old girl?

[lmartink]

This could be the end of the Nancy Grace show. How nice. For months it''s been all Caylee, all the time.