Cindy Anthony tells Dr. Phil that daughter Casey Anthony had seizures
(CBS/WTSP/AP) LOS ANGELES - Casey Anthony's mother said in an interview on "Dr. Phil" that her daughter has a history of seizures but she is not sure if the condition had anything to do with Caylee's disappearance in 2008.
Pictures: Casey and Caylee Anthony, Personal Photos
Cindy Anthony told host Phil McGraw that Casey had a seizure in 2007 and another in 2008 while out on bond following her initial arrest on check fraud charges. She said she is unsure if that condition contributed to her lying to her family and authorities regarding her 2-year-daughter's whereabouts.
"I'm not making justification for (Casey's lies), but there's a cause for that," Cindy Anthony told McGraw. "You just don't have a grand mal seizure."
Cindy Anthony and her husband, George, spoke to McGraw in an interview split into three segments. The first segment aired Tuesday. The syndicated TV program will air the second part on Wednesday and another later this month.
Casey Anthony's defense attorneys never raised the issue at trial, although late in the case, they did ask the judge to have doctors examine her to determine if she was mentally fit to stand trial. Three experts ruled her fit and the trial resumed. The reports from their examination were sealed.
Cindy Anthony said on the show that it would be difficult for Casey to return home due to her relationship with her father. She struck a conciliatory tone regarding her daughter, who was acquitted in July of murdering Caylee and released from jail to an undisclosed Florida location.
"I would love to see her be happy either in a career or in a family setting," Cindy Anthony said. "You know, I'd love for her to get married if she so chooses and, if she's healthy, to be able to be a mom again."