Guide Note

Three-year-old Caylee Anthony was last seen on June 9, 2008, though her mother did not notify Florida police that she was missing until July 15, 2008. Caylee Anthony's mother, Casey Marie Anthony, was later arrested and charged with child neglect after failing to report her daughter's disappearance earlier.

Lab results made public on August 27, 2008, confirmed that a human body had been in Casey Anthony's trunk. ¹ Further tests seemed to confirm that the body was that of Caylee Anthony, indicating that the girl is most likely deceased.² Orlando's WOFL-TV reported that levels of the potentially lethal chemical compound chloroform were also found in the car.³

According to court records, Casey Anthony wanted to give Caylee up for adoption when she became pregnant, but her mother, Cindy Anthony, convinced her not to.⁴

Fast Facts

1. Caylee Marie Anthony was two years old when she disappeared
2. Last seen: June 9, 2008
3. Reported missing: July 15, 2008
4. Caylee Anthony has shoulder-length, light brown hair
5. Dark hazel (brownish-green) eyes
6. Birthmark on left upper arm
7. Reward: $125,000 offered for safe return of Caylee⁵
8. Mother: Casey Marie Anthony
9. Casey Anthony arrested and charged with child neglect and lying to police⁶
10. According to Casey Anthony's attorney, Caylee may be in Miami, Florida, Charlotte, North Carolina, or Brooklyn, New York⁷

If you have information call Detective Yuri Melich's office line at 1-(407) 254-7000 (ext. 70633), or 1-800-423-TIPS (8477)⁸

Casey Anthony told police she dropped Caylee Anthony off at Zenaida Gonzalez's apartment on June 9, 2008. She said when she went back, Caylee Anthony was not there. Casey Anthony never notified authorities. She claimed that she conducted her own search.

Caylee Anthony's grandparents grew extremely concerned when they had not seen her for nearly a month. Casey Anthony's mother, Cindy Anthony, notified police on July 15, 2008.

Casey Anthony was arrested on July 15, 2008 and charged with child neglect and providing false information to police. Casey Anthony told police she worked at Universal Studios and provided a phone number and supervisor's name, but Anthony has not worked there since April of 2006. Investigators also discovered that Anthony lied to friends, telling them that Caylee Anthony was at the beach or theme parks with a babysitter.⁶

Casey Anthony reportedly borrowed a shovel from a neighbor at the time of her daughter's disappearance. The police have seized the shovel along with Anthony's computer and her car. They have brought in search and cadaver dogs and have been digging up the yards of Cindy Anthony and her neighbors. The police reportedly found "abnormalities" in the dirt but would not elaborate.⁹ On July 24, 2008, it was reported that a concrete slab had been recently poured in the Caylee's grandparents' backyard.¹⁰

On July 22, 2008, a bail hearing was held on Casey Anthony's behalf. Anthony's attorney requested that Anthony be granted bail and immunity for possible future charges in return for her cooperation. Anthony's bond was set at $500,000 at the conclusion of the hearing.¹¹

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