Caylee Anthony's grandparents mark her birthday

Cindy Anthony is comforted by George Anthony during a memorial ceremony at the site where the body of their granddaughter, Caylee Anthony, was found on what would have been her sixth birthday in Orlando, Fla., Aug. 9, 2011. / AP Photo

ORLANDO, Fla. - The grandparents of Caylee Anthony, the toddler whose death led to the year's most high-profile murder trial, gathered with more than 100 members of the public to commemorate what would have been the child's sixth birthday.

CBS News affiliate WKMG-TV in Orlando reports that the crowd met Tuesday in George and Cindy Anthony's Orlando-area neighborhood, near a wooded area where the little girl's remains were found in December 2008.

"We didn't know how we'd be perceived," George Anthony told WKMG-TV. "It's just a great tribute to our Caylee. It's a great tribute to her. Other children have to come home, too. And that's what should be concentrated on now. We know where Caylee's at."

Judge ruling on Anthony probation after research
Source: Judge grants Casey Anthony stay
Report: Casey Anthony photographed in Ohio

"This is the first time I've been here in so long," George Anthony told reporters a few feet from where his granddaughter's body was found. "It's hard to come here."

"Happy birthday Caylee," some people joined in saying as the crowd released dozens of purple balloons into the air.

The appearance of George and Cindy Anthony was a surprise to some. Wearing t-shirts featuring a photo of Caylee surrounded by the words, "You will always remain in our hearts," they led a walk and accepted greetings from well-wishers.

"I am glad because it seems like they're getting a little bit of closure with the crying and different things and I think that's really, really good for them," Lori Richards of Daytona Beach told the newspaper.

But some carried signs criticizing a jury's acquittal last month of their daughter Casey Anthony on murder charges in the child's death. Casey Anthony was released from jail and has vanished from public view.

(After the acquittal, CBS' "48 Hours Mystery" broadcast a look inside one of the most dramatic murder trials in recent memory.)

Casey Anthony: Judgment day
Video: Complete "48 Hours Mystery" episode
Video: Cindy Anthony's 911 call

29 Photos

Casey Anthony trial timeline

Still, the event mostly focused on the child whose life was tragically cut short. "May Caylee's memory always live in our hearts," one sign read.

Bring Kids Home, a nonprofit group that helps missing and abused children, wants to build a memorial at the site. The project, set to be designed by artist Jefre, would center on a reflecting pond with a glass ring hanging over it like a halo. It would incorporate elements of A. A. Milne Winnie-the-Pooh books, and would feature cubby holes along a path for visitors to leave stuffed animals and other items that could in turn be given to children's charities. Glass disks would contain the names of missing children.

The nonprofit hopes to raise $200,000 in donations and the memorial would need county approval.

The Anthonys said they hadn't seen the memorial design before, but that they'd support it if it were done tastefully. The event was concluded with a moment of silence and a prayer for missing children.

[elvisju]

As a grandmother who celebrated her grandaughter's 4th birthday Aug. 9th, I can't imagine how the Anthony's do it. I admire them and are with them a 100 per cent. We shouldn't think of Casey, just Caylee who is probably a little angel watching over her grandparents who loved her deeply. My thoughts and prayers are with you, George and Cindy

[EiLing58]

My condolences to Cindy and George and Lee Anthony for the loss of their precious grandchild and niece, Caylee.

[LibbyGarden]

Agree with most posters here. A $200,000 memorial is preposterous. Put that money to better use helping bring home exploited and missing children. As for that Casey broad, I don't give a flying rat's unmentionables if she's found guilty or not guilty. It's enough for me that scum went partying without once bothering to report her missing kid. F her and anyone who wants to turn her into a celebrity.

[valopinion]

I think a memorial is nice and fitting, but I'm afraid that the narcissistic Casey will take it as though SHE is special because SHE is Caylee's mother and will smile to herself as she says "what an honor, that they memorialized MY CHILD!"

[RobertFTL]

Please sign the below petition to stop Casey Anthony from profiting off the death of her little girl.

http://www.change.org/petitions/dont-profit-off-the-death-of-caylee

[sunide]

I wonder how many people at the memorial actually KNEW Caylee. It amazes me how so many people "Have Caylee" in their hearts and before all the media attention she wasn't even known. $200,000 for a memorial for her is ridiculous. (Yes, I know, bash me for having an opinion different than the masses) Do something PRODUCTIVE with the money, like to support other children STILL ALIVE that have lived with abuse. a memorial is nothing more than a tribute to yourselves. pathetic and sad.

[erasmus111]

"Casey Anthony a no-show..."


I expected nothing else. I imagine she has moved on and not looking back. After all, her "burden" is gone.

[goodday9]

These people are pathetic--they should just shut up--you will never convince me that George did not have something to do with Caylee's death or the coverup--he should be in jail---and as far as $200,000 dollars for a memorial--put up a simple stone--any money raised should go to abused and missing children--not a stupid memorial that is useless to Caylee at this point--and she CANNOT celebrate her birtday--she is dead!!!!

[EiLing58]

George is innocent - not a shred of evidence was ever found against him by the police, and not a shred of evidence was ever presented against him in court.

[debbie1120]

I like how this article stated Casey has been release from jail and vanished from public view. In what country did this happen. Everytime you turn on the TV they are talking about her and where she was spotted. Casey is enjoying the spotlight still.

**Happy Birthday little angel. I see you sitting on Jesus's lap having a wonderful Birthday***

[Biker-N-OH1]

Not to much in the spotlight, however she has no shame being seen in public. Summit county OH that is.

[sunide]

SHE is not putting herself in the spotlight. MEDIA does. People who LOVE this drama put her there. I can't imagine she likes it at all.

[Harden_Tar]

These horrible parents are at least partly repsonsible to what happened to that poor little girl. This public disply and therefore demand for sympathy makes me want to puke. They reared 2 emotionally damaged children and now somehow want to look like doting grand parents? they have an agent who now is directing them in order to make a financial profit over what has happened. If I could get away with it, I would administer a swift kick in the rear and tell them to go away.