More Bones Found Near Caylee's Home

Investigators Continue To Search Site Less Than A Half-Mile From Where Missing Toddler Lived

(CBS/AP)  Today marks the fifth day of searching a wooded area for clues in the case of missing toddler Caylee Anthony, after a child's skull was found by a utility worker on Thursday.

CBS affiliate WKMG-TV reports that investigators discovered more bones this weekend in the wooded area less than a half-mile from the Orlando home that the 3-year-old girl shared with her mother and grandparents.

Orange County Sheriff's deputies, agents from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and FBI experts converged on the vacant property to comb it for clues.

Forensics teamed worked through the night, combing the dirt for any more remains, reports WKMG.

WKMG confirmed that animal bones were also found in the wooded area.

On Sunday Sheriff's spokesman Carlos Padilla said that the thick undergrowth has made for slow searching.

"They're being very tedious and very methodical," he said.

The area where the remains were found had been under water from this year's hurricane season. That poses a problem.

"Any time you have water at a scene, it just really destroys evidence," criminal profiler Pat Brown told The Early Show anchor Harry Smith. "First of all, it helps deposition proceed quickly. And then everything gets wiped away, you know, literally washed away and it's under water, so it's a disaster."

Brown also commented on the news that trash bags and duct tape were found at the wooded area, and that investigators were trying to get a match to similar items in the Anthony house.

"But here is the problem: It's been months," she told Smith. "People use trash bags pretty regularly, so if you ripped it off [a roll] and used it in a crime, chances are six months later you're not going to have that exact box, and the next box, say they brought the same brand, but everybody in the neighborhood buys the same brand."

Duct tape is also being examined as possibly having captured trace elements of a suspect. "It gets fingerprints, and you get your hair stuck on it," she said. "And you're in a rush so you might leave things, sometimes tear it with your teeth because you can't get it torn, then you have saliva. But how about that water? This is probably going to destroy everything on there."

The discovery of the skull was the first major break in the case in months, following the disappearance of Caylee in June.

Caylee's mother, 22-year-old Casey Anthony, waited a month to report her daughter missing. She initially told police that she left the child with a baby sitter, but detectives said her story was untrue. Anthony was charged in her daughter's murder on Oct. 14.

Although DNA results on the remains probably won't be released for several days, authorities and even Anthony's own attorneys are treating the find as if it is the little girl.

One of Anthony's attorneys, Linda Kenney Baden, said during a court hearing last week that "anthropological measurements and hair color" of the remains were said to match Caylee.

"We're getting very little access," Kathy Rice, a forensic anthropologist who is a member of Casey Anthony's defense team, told The Early Show's Smith. "We're getting no access at this point either to the remains or to the scene itself. We would just like to be there as independent observers."

"Would that be normal procedure, or would the local prosecutors want to at least get a positive ID first?" asked Smith.

"I've only served as a defense expert twice in my entire career, but on both of those occasions, we didn't meet this kind of resistance, we were allowed access," Rice said. "Of course, they're not going to be our best friends, but this is a bit more resistant than I'm used to seeing."

Sheriff Kevin Beary said that a search of the grandparents' home where the mother and daughter lived had also yielded links to the remains that he would not reveal. There are no other similar missing-child cases in the area.

Anthony is being held without bond at the Orange County Jail.

Brad Conway, the Anthonys' new attorney, told WKMG that while George and Cindy Anthony are being realistic about the probability that the body is little Caylee, "they pray that it’s not.

"Until there's a positive identification they're not going to give up hope. None of us will."

On Sunday, the suburban neighborhood near the Anthonys' home and where the remains were found buzzed with activity. Inflatable Santa decorations and holiday lights were an odd backdrop for the crime scene vans and satellite TV trucks.

Neighbors wandered over to take photos of a small, makeshift memorial for Caylee, which included a unicorn, a Cinderella fan and teddy bears of varying sizes and colors.

California bounty hunter Leonard Padilla - who had previously bailed Anthony out on lesser child neglect charges - stood by a canal, taking photos with well-wishers and handing out autographs. At one point, Padilla had conducted his own search for Caylee, and on Sunday, he pontificated on how long detectives might stay at the scene.

"Thank you for all of your help," neighbor Tim Lewis, 45, said to Padilla, shaking his hand.

Lewis, a 45-year-old flight attendant, admitted he has been captivated by the case.

"The truth has been very hard to find in this story," said Lewis, as his two daughters snapped photos of a cowboy hat-clad Padilla. "Maybe, finally, the truth is going to come out."

[cmackcoop]

I wish all of you that have not read all the evidence the DA has in the case so far (interviews, text messages, computer report, etc.) please go to the webiste InvestigationDiscovery. There is a timeline, documents, search warrants, etc....if you just read, listen and watch the videos...I doubt if you will still think Casey is innocent of anything!
As for her mother Cindy, I belive she is so guilt ridden, she can''t think straight. It has been reported and in some of the interviews, the Cindy and Casey had a really bad argurment (about some money Casey stole from her grandmother''s bank account that was set aside to take care of her husband''s assisted living expenses), and the next day, George reports that he sees Casey and Caylee leaving the house...that was the last time anyone in the family saw Caylee. There was a lot of animosity going on between Cindy and Casey (please read Cindy''s post that will be found on the website)...it is very insightful!!!!
It was also reported that during the last search for Caylee when some bones were found by the divers, when Casey was informed...she had no recation and just marched right back to her cell...when they told her last week about the discovery of the skull...she requested a sedative....

[clathrate]

Even the most terrible, neglectful, spoiled, coddled, or immoral of upbringing shouldn''''t lead to these parents killing their kids. What in the hell is going wrong with these people?


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Posted by akpals

You''d be surprised my fried. Our culture is teaching these people day by day that there are no rules, there is no absolute wrong from right, and you can just do whatever the hell you want as long as it serves your purposes.

We have become an amoral, decadent, inhuman society of sociopaths, slackers, whiners, and bums. It should come as no surprise that this type of thing is becoming the rule rather than the exception.

[cmackcoop]

You can look in Casey eyes and tell that she killed her little girl. Now the truth has finally come to the light. To bad the Police didn''''t work harder to find Caylee sooner.


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Posted by FlipOver2 at 05:00 PM : Dec 15, 2008

By the time the police got involved, Caylee has been missing for 30 days. No one knew she was missing but her mother Casey. Cindy contacted Casey''s friend Amy and almost begged her to take her to Casey (who was staying with her boyfriend)...this happened July 15...the last time anyone other than Casey had seen Caylee was June 15). It was on July 15 that Cindy called the police and reported Caylee missing. Then Casey started from day one lying to the police. Given what they had to work with, I think they have done an excellent job thus far. Just think about it, they already felt they had enough evidence on her to convict her of murder...and now that they have the remains...this should really lock up their case very tight....wonder what sort of lie Casey is trying to come up with now!!!!

[culturechang]

OMG, Nancy Grace will have an *** tonight on TV.

[akpals]

The thing that always shocks me about these abuse and child murder stories when the parents are the killers, is how could they do that? With the frequency of these cases increasing, one has to wonder what is going wrong? As an older adult, I keep questioning parenting skills, and still can''t imagine that Americans have raised such animals for children. I can''t come up with a scenario that would lead this mother and so many others to kill their children. Even the most terrible, neglectful, spoiled, coddled, or immoral of upbringing shouldn''t lead to these parents killing their kids. What in the hell is going wrong with these people?

[jcruize1]

Posted by Deekay41 at 04:13 PM : Dec 15, 2008

I can say that the village idiots here are just that ignorant and narrow minded. Posted by cepe10 at 02:38 PM

Seems to me, and this is just my opinion, that you may be the one that is ignorant.

I fully agree with you Deekay41. This weekend I saw some pictures that were shown on tv of the mother and its true what they say a picture is worth a thousand words. The pics were of the mom in the month of June and even shortly after Caylee "went missing" and the mom was as happy as can be in the pics. As a mother let me tell you this..there is no way in hell that I would be able to fake happiness such as hers reflected in the pics if my child was missing. And certainly not be out partying as she obviously was according to the scene on this pics. That tells me more than anything or anyone else can possibly tell me!

[flipover2]

You can look in Casey eyes and tell that she killed her little girl. Now the truth has finally come to the light. To bad the Police didn''t work harder to find Caylee sooner.

[farremoved]

It is my opinion that Casey is guilty and that a slow, painful death is appropriate. Having said that, I am now against the death penalty after reading John Grishams "The Innocent Man" a non fiction work of his. Locked up in solitary confinement for 23 hours a day may be a more severe sentence that death.

Posted by TangoUniforn
More severe sentence than having your lights put out!? I always figured death was pretty *** severe.........plus our country needs to cut it''s losses and clearing out death row should free up lots of tax money for other, more needed services!

[plplearecrzy]

I urge anyone who thinks Casey Anthony did not kill her little girl to log unto Orlando Sentinel''s website and view the information that is posted on their site from the police department. It is 60 pages long, but is well worth the read. There is no doubt in my mind that Casey Anthony is a sadistic killer, I would not be surprised if her parents are involved in someway

[juniorsgv-2009]

its amazing how some people here still believe the mother is innocent. true your innocent til proven guilty, but everything since onset of this investigation said she murdered her poor daughter. either way its a sad story, a beautiful life ended @ the hands of someone she loved. and i don''t know about the grandmother how child who lives with you dissapears 30 days and isn''t reported sooner? i doubt she will be charged, she will instead be used against her daughter and charge dropped.

[tangouniforn]

It is my opinion that Casey is guilty and that a slow, painful death is appropriate. Having said that, I am now against the death penalty after reading John Grishams "The Innocent Man" a non fiction work of his. Locked up in solitary confinement for 23 hours a day may be a more severe sentence that death.

[flight-321]

Casey (caring mother): "Mom I feel Caylee is very close to home"
-body found within 3/10 of a mile from home.
Casey (caring mother): "The baby sitter took her"
-the baby sitter does not exist! Why doesn''t Casey tell the cops where the baby sitter is now or how to get in touch with her?
Casey (caring mother): didn''t want her father to look in the truck of the car just a day before the car was left in the cash advance parking lot.
-Reason-Casey knew what was in the truck of the car, CAYLEE!
Casey (caring mohter): does not cooperate with law enforcement to find Caylee.
-Reason-She already knew where Caylee was and knew SHE would be to blame for Caylee''s condition (dead).
Casey (caring mother), etc, etc, etc, lie, lie, lie, etc.

To those who question Casey''s involvement:
Too much of a very simple puzzle is emerging here. How many more puzzle pieces are needed before we can truly see what the picture is?

[deekay41]

The bottom line is that, no matter what, this is a real tragedy. Caylee touched so many people emotionally and this case has had so much media attention, it''s hard to know where the truth ends and sensationalism begins.

I can''t imagine what the grandparents are going through. This is such a terrible nightmare for everyone involved.

Regardless, rest in peace little princess. You were taken away from this life much too soon.

[myopinion381]

I can say that the village idiots here are just that ignorant and narrow minded. Posted by cepe10 at 02:38 PM

Seems to me, and this is just my opinion, that you may be the one that is ignorant.

[melissa42no]

We like to believe that the mother is mentally challanged, But the only thing wrong with her is the fact that she had a kid and couldnt do what she wants when she wanted.This woman is your classic idiot wants a baby at the time cause its the kool thing to do ,then reality sets in, I hope they kill her they same way she killed her baby, and her mom hm she made her this way by not making her accept any responsabilty for anything she does there both freakin insain and i bet thats the frist thing they will try to use in her trial as her defence and its bullcrap

[melissa42no]

We like to believe that the mother is mentally challanged, But the only thing wrong with her is the fact that she had a kid and couldnt do what she wants when she wanted.This woman is your classic idiot wants a baby at the time cause its the kool thing to do ,then reality sets in, I hope they kill her they same way she killed her baby, and her mom hm she made her this way by not making her accept any responsabilty for anything she does there both freakin insain and i bet thats the frist thing they will try to use in her trial as her defence and its bullcrap

[cepe10-2009]

Go ahead and believe what the prosecution feeds to the media but nothing in the allegations make any sense and all those rushing to judgment - I can only hope you are accused and punished in the court of public opinion without a trial.

Nothing in the allegations is making any sense and who knows what the real truth is.

I can say that the village idiots here are just that ignorant and narrow minded.

[myopinion381]

Posted by snoopy1950 at 02:11 PM : Dec 15, 2008
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I totally agree with you.... Posted by willo1301 at 02:15 PM

*******************
So do I.

[myopinion381]

Too phony - nothing but a witch hunt against this poor mother. Why would she dump remains near her house if she is accused of having the girl was in the trunk of the car. Posted by cepe10.

First of all, sorry to everyone for the earlier post by me. Hit the button too quick. As far as the comment made by cepe, how about saying poor child instead of poor mother? I feel absolutely nothing for Casey except pure hatred for what she did to an innocent child. And yes I mean that she did it. Absolutely no doubt in my mind. She doesn''t seem to be the sharpest tack in the package so didn''t think about placing Caylee so close to the house. If she was smart, it wouldn''t have taken her a month to report her missing. She would have reported he right away. Makes her look at that more guilty for waiting.

[snoopy1950]

I agree that Cindy Anthony is a classic enabler and possibly mentally off herself. She is defending Casey''s behavior even in the face of facts (all the lies)--and has probably done so Casey''s whole life. Cindy and George should have used tough love a long time ago. Parents know their kids. Casey dropped out of high school, goes from one boyfriend to the next, can''t keep a job, steals from relatives and friends, and per her own mother Cindy, is a pathological liar. This is irresponsible behavior, yet Cindy discouraged Casey from having an abortion when she got pregnant. If Cindy wanted the child so badly, she should have adopted Caylee herself. A person like Casey irresponsible to that magnitude should not become a parent. Now look at the end result. Smells too much like the Susan Smith case--dispose of your kid(s) when he (they) get in the way of your love/partying life then tell lie after lie. As for Casey disposing of the body near home, perhaps she chose the spot because had she been seen there, no one may have questioned it. She drove around with Caylee''s body in the trunk not knowing what to do with her, then panicked and put her in the woods when the smell got too bad.