The Caylee Anthony Search With Florida 3 Airboat Search and Rescue

September 11, 2008

When I was in Florida working on the Casey Anthony case, I had an opportunity to interview Robert Dummett, Deputy Coordinator of Florida 3 Airboat Search and Rescue. During the interview, Robert explained FL- 3's role in the search effort and he shared his opinion on whether alligators could have destroyed potential evidence in the case.

David Lohr: "Would you explain what role you are playing in the search for missing three-year-old Caylee Anthony?"

Robert Dummett: "Airboat search and rescue was invited in by Texas EquuSearch to be a local resource for providing water search and if necessary transporting the K-9 units and handlers to areas that would otherwise be inaccessible and to provide transportation to searchers."

David Lohr: "What types of areas are you exploring and how easy is it for your boats to maneuver through those areas?"

Robert Dummett: "There are areas that are surrounded by water today that were not wet at the time this incident occurred. Back in June, there was a lot of dry areas, which are now flooded because of tropical rains. There are areas that may be high ground, which would be islands that would otherwise be inaccessible. Our airboats can get to and from those areas pretty easy. Our boats do not have any movable or working parts under the waterline and are propelled by an aircraft style propeller. As a result, they are not hampered by lack of water. They can run down the pavement in this parking lot and they can run in 200 feet of water. We have been involved in searches for hunters where we have gone over beaver dams, downed trees and stumps, as opposed to conventional watercraft which are restricted to clean open water."

David Lohr: "Does the airboat handle differently on land, as opposed to water?"

Robert Dummett: "Does a motorcycle handle different on sand than it does on pavement?  Sure, the boat handles differently, but it takes the same operational skills."

David Lohr: "Regarding this specific search, for Caylee Anthony, what types of things are you looking for out there?

Robert Dummett: "In this mission, we are out there looking for anything that is unusual - anything that doesn't belong. We are looking for things such as blankets, sleeping bags and anything child related. It is very possible, if the child was put into a garbage bag, it could float.  Early on they were looking for a child safety seat that has since been recovered.  Not necessarily in this search effort, but law enforcement does have that in custody, so that has been excluded as an item we are looking for."

David Lohr: "Where was the child safety seat recovered?"

Robert Dummett: "I do not recall. I do not know if it was recovered as part of the search effort or if it was part of the evidence that was retrieved from a garage or home, but they do have it in custody."

David Lohr: "Given the water level and the presence of alligators, do you think there would still be something left to find?"

Robert Dummett: "The alligator situation is not something I am personally concerned with. If they were to dispose of a body, they would most likely dig a hole and an alligator does not dig for food. It is going to look for its prey in the water or floating on top of the water. I don't think alligators are a problem."

David Lohr: "You don't think someone would purposely dispose of a body, in a specific area, with the intent of it being consumed by an alligator?"

Robert Dummett: "I think it is highly improbable. Chances are they would be concerned about someone else finding it before the alligator does."

David Lohr: "Are the areas you are searching based on Casey Anthony's cell phone records?"

Robert Dummett: "Law enforcement has received a number of tips from the public and there are also cell phone records and towers that they have triangulated to give us viable search areas. We give those areas high priority. We are canvassing Orange County and we are taking the areas that are high priority and working our way out from there.

David Lohr: "Thank you for taking the time to talk with me and I wish you the best of luck."

For more information on Florida 3 Airboat Search and Rescue and to view photos that they took during the search effort, visit: Airboatsar.org.

Discuss The Caylee Anthony Case

Related Content:
Full Coverage : Casey Anthony Case

Photo Credits: Carla Lohr

Comments

[rebecca]

I had been wondering about the car seat; was it recovered during another search? Or recovered as in turned in by Casey Anthony via her family...

[Sherry C.]

Fascinating! Glad to know about the probability of alligators' consumption of a dead body.

[Bonnie]

Thank you for the pictures. Will you be posting the pictures of the areas those of us who have been following this story had requested soon?

[eg]

le has the car seat?? how do we know it is THE car caylee last sat in? is there more than one? if the anthonys have more than one car, it is easier to get another seat than to keep switching them all the time.

[Colorfulbug]

I really am so thankful for your investigative reports. As I said earlier they are better, more in depth and it is evident you are passionate about this case unlike so many other reporters just reporting for their paycheck....thank you!

[Villy Anne]

According to the 400 pages of docs released the car seat and Caylee's backpack were in the car when it was retrieved from the tow yard.

[Lynda]

This is a horrible thing to think about, but isn't it possible that Casey used her father's gas (stolen gas cans) to burn little Caylee's body before burying or submerging her remains?

[Rob]

I wonder if Casey's car was abandoned in hope that it would be stolen. Her story would be more believable, and the initial forensics could be blamed on kidnappers. If she did this hoping for it to be stolen, what are the odds of dumping the body and hoping alligators dispose of it? I really hope this isn't the case, but I don't see Casey digging a hole herself.

[Heather - ATL]

The Car seat was in the Car when it was taken into custody by the police after the 911 calls and Casey was arrested.

[pak31]

That was an interesting interview. It is incredible hearing about the search for Caylee. It's like trying to find a needle in a haystack. The sad thing is all of this man power and money spent when Casey more than likely knows where Caylee is. I know she could care less, but it's crazy to even try to imagine that here she is sitting around all day while people are desperately looking and she knows where to look. How can that not eat away at you?
Also, I too read that a car seat was found in the back of the abandoned car. George said he last saw Casey and Caylee leave his house and Caylee had a backpack with her.

[Amy]

I think that Casey has a borderline-personality disorder (narcissistic-obviously) that needs to exploited.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

People with narcissistic personality exhibit a persistent pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration and a lack of empathy.

They have an exaggerated sense of self-importance, are absorbed by fantasies of unlimited success, and seek constant attention.

The narcissistic personality is oversensitive to failure and often complains of multiple somatic symptoms.

Prone to extreme mood swings between self-admiration and insecurity, these people tend to exploit interpersonal relationships.

Onset is early adulthood.

Some of the typical signs are:

grandiose sense of self-importance.

exaggerates achievements and talents
preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty or ideal love

believes that he is 'special' and 'unique' and can only be understood by, or should associate with other special or high-status people

requires excessive admiration

sense of entitlement. (unreasonable expectation of special treatment by others)

interpersonally exploitative.. uses others to his advantage
lacks empathy

envious of others

arrogant behavior and attitude.

[Pam]

I found something on a blog the other night on myspace and I was wondering along with others if it had been looked into? Here it is ----- I Found This On A Blog On Myspace~Sighting of Casey~Has It been Checked Into??!!
Category: News and Politics

Monday, September 01, 2008

A message from the boards regarding a sighting of Casey

A message from the boards regarding a sighting of Casey
Posted on September 1, 2008 by yourturntohelp
This post was left over at briansprediction . It has drawn quite a bit of attention on the internet but as far as I know it has not been followed up on. If anyone has an update on this please comment.

What I don't understand is that there is apparently only one person assigned at each hotline location because I have tried to call and get either a busy signal or a message stating "this number is not accepting calls at this time". I finally got through to the officer in charge of the case and left a voice mail to no avail. He has never called me back. Let's just say that on June 27th we (my friend and I) took the 417 north from my office in Kissimmee to avoid the traffic on I-4. At one point on I-4 spotted a young lady about 30 feet to the right of the shoulder of the road lifing a short shovel out of the trunk of her light colored pontiac. I thought it was preculiar and made the comment to my friend to make a mental note that if anyone turns up missing we know where they may be burried (at the time I thought I was joking). My friend called me cynical and paranoid, and I told him he was probably right. My come-back was "yeah, you're probably right. Maybe she's just digging up wildflowers or burrying a pet if she lives in an apartment and doesn't have a yard to burry it in. When the news hit that Caylee was missing it didn't occur to me until I once again took 417 north another time to avoid traffic and as I came to that spot I had a vision of the young girl again. I litterally had to pull off to the side of the road to compose myself. I came home and asked my friend if he recalled our conversation. He said yes, but he said don't be surprised if they don't listen to you. Because I couldn't reach anyone that would listen at the sherrif's department, I emailed Gale St John the other evening. She still hasn't called me. There had to be other people driving along 417 on June 27th that saw what I saw. The traffic was pretty heavy at 6PM. I am sure about the date because my friend dropped me off at work in Kissimmee, barrowed my car to do some marketing for his business in the Kissimmee area and then picked me up. I have credit card receipts from discount movie tickets I purchased as gifts that day. If you recall the gas cans that George Anthony found in the daughter's car were recovered on the 24th of June. The car was abandonned and towed from Amscott on the 27th of June in the evening

[ThelmaParker]

I believe grandma Cindy and grandpa George recovered body and placed her somewhere else to cover up for daughter

[ThelmaParker]

I believe grandma Cindy and grandpa George recovered body and placed her somewhere else to cover up for daughter

[Bonnie]

I am glad TES did a search of the immediate area where Casey has led them to search. I know most killers stay in their comfort zone and it was a good place to start. I don't think she would lead them to the body. The only place we know she went that wasn't fictional was Mount Dora. She seemed to have spent a lot of time thinking about Shirley and how to steal their money. She IS Cindys mother. She loves to agitate the maternial side of the family. I know Cindy is a nurse but what were her parents profession? I understand some of the old timers have choloroform for some unknown reason. Who better and easier to get it from. She was spending time with Shirley on the last day Caylee was seen unless Cindy and George remember correctly. Not about last seeing the two of them on the 9th but last seeing them on the 16th. I don't beleive anyone else saw them after the 15th. It's a pretty common thing for the pill poppers to raid the old folks medicine cabinet and take there pills. I think Cindy likes to weave a good story. Why not leave Caylee in a fantasy world of DORA the explorer? Have you looked at Mount Dora on the maps. Perfect place, easy access, fresh on her mind.....

[Marsha]

I heard a caller to Nancy Grace say that Casey spoke about Caylee in the past tense during the recently released police interview tapes. I listened to the tapes online after the show, and I was very upset to hear Casey say, "She (Caylee) liked to go to Jay Blanchard Park." "She liked to go on the swings." If your child is alive, you would say "She LIKES to go to the park and she LIKES to go on the swings." Casey said she LIKED to go to the park and she LIKED to go on the swings. To me, that implies that the child is dead and Casey slipped up by talking about her as if she will not be going to the park again.

[ndwk]

they need to put casey back in jail and give her cindy , george and lee in there with her . maybe they will talk all are guity ..............

[ellainecarr]

I am getting tired of Casey's story. Someday, the Anthonys will be accountable to what happened to Caylee. Casey may get away with it, but whoever is responsible to what happened to Caylee will answer for it. Maybe not in this life. I believe in the POWER bigger than us, than them.

America has to move on. If the Anthonys do not want to cooperate, that is their loss. The Anthonys will never ever see their Caylee again. At one point in their lives, they will have to accept that she is dead (as the evidence suggests). And they still have a daughter who will continue take advantage of them for the rest of their lives. If the people leave them alone, that family will break apart. Cindy and Casey's narccistic behavior will crash. The family will be haunted by Caylee. Casey will continue to do bad things to her family and other people, she will steal, lie, take advantage of them. While America moves on, the Anthonys will carry the burden forever.

[rose]

I wanted to SCREAM when I heard yesterday that the Anthony "Cult" George & SINdy Anthony had all of a sudden REFUSED to take the polygraph test that they had already earlier agreed to take!! The FBI commented that they were surprised at the sudden refusal from George & Sindy yesterday since the polygraph results would have been a way for the Anthony's to not have the negative reaction from the media & public & also I'm sure would have helped that lawyer Njar to show the public that they were actually just stupid to believe the casey BS & not in cahoots with a cover-up... If i was not living in los angeles California you have better believe that you would see me on tv with a bullhorn in Cindy's face asking her why she wouldnt take the polygraph??? I really am surprised that no one jumped Casey & beat her smiling face in as she skips in & out of the car to her lovers I mean lawyers office.(before the bodyguards got on board to protect the victim (that is still alive)Caset.... Im going to start calling Det. Murich about when the heck some murder charges are going down.

[rose]

I wanted to SCREAM when I heard yesterday that the Anthony "Cult" George & SINdy Anthony had all of a sudden REFUSED to take the polygraph test that they had already earlier agreed to take!! The FBI commented that they were surprised at the sudden refusal from George & Sindy yesterday since the polygraph results would have been a way for the Anthony's to not have the negative reaction from the media & public & also I'm sure would have helped that lawyer Njar to show the public that they were actually just wishful to believe Casey & not in cahoots with a cover-up.

[Thinking of Caylee]

Cindy lived years with Casey and her lies, what makes u think she will give her up now.

[Linda]

Has anyone heard anything about the shallow grave found with bones and clothing in it recently? I heard this mentioned on the Nancy Grace show, but haven't heard any follow up on this. It was reported that an independent searcher found this material in a wooded area in the Orlando area. The findings were given to the police and was reported on 09/12/2008. Has there been anything in the Orlando press about this?

[Macy in Wisconsin]

You my gosh ... All this time I thought maybe Casey burnt Caylee with the gas she took from her dad, And buried her.
But my son & i was listening to police questioning casey .... and she said her gas tank didn't work .... new thought came to mind : I think everyone is looking in the wrong place ... casey probally used the gas to drive caylees body farther than where they are looking.
Just a thought ... maybe the phone call she made from the area she wasn't normally in ... was done on her way back from bury the body...

[Cecile in Virgina]

I have a question that I haven't seen asked, but maybe someone here may know..Casey moved out of her parents house on June 9th, and took Caylee with her. Casey stayed at Tony's place every night supposedly, but Caylee did not. We know that the last time Caylee was seen alive, I believe was the 15th or 16th. So if Casey was sleeping at Tony's house from at least the 9th on, where was Caylee sleeping???? Caylee was out of the Anthony home from the 9th on, and was alive until the 15th or 16th, she had to be sleeping some place, does anyone know where?

[Eliza]

I am surprised to hear of the child car seat. It gives me many more questions! I am wondering right now where they found it.

[Julia]

This is just completely sad.. I agree with the comment that they weill carry this burden forever, while we move on.
however what bothers me, is the fact she is gettin away with this. She is gettin away with murder. I dont believe they will ever find Caylee now., or figure out proof that Casey had something to do with this.:(

[deerdra]

The Anthony's are making me sick to my stomach. How they can protect a daughter who has done such wrong to their family and either killed or accidently killed their grand-daughter is beyond comprehention. In my heart I know, that Casey either told her Brother Lee or Mother and Dad what happened but since she (Casey) is not talking they have been advised (By their attorney) to keep their mouth shut or they will be charged with hindering procecution amongst other charges. That Fluzzy Casey probably wanted to go out Drinking and Dancing one evening so she figured she would give poor little Caylee some chloroform to make her sleep in the trunk of the car but instead gave her too much and in that heat during June the poor child sufficated. Then Casey had to get rid of her daughters little limp body. God only knows where the child is now and Casey surely does not care. Nor does the Anthony's. Only the Public does and God Bless them for all their tireless efforts of searching for this child. Casey's 15 minutes of fame are completely up. If she would come out with the protestors she would be tarred and feathered, thus she has to have her Body Guards ( Who's paying for them??? ) We are the donating public for the search and rescue of Caylee. Non of the players in this case should get amunity, zero, zilch, nadda!

[Nicole Milton]

I sit here and read so much on this case and yet I feel my heart go out to all those who are out there looking and doing something for this little girl. The Anthonys keep saying this and telling everyone to do that but, why haven't any of them gone out on the searches?? She just may be alive ok but, then why all the lies??? Casey has so much to hide I just pray one day she may come clean and let her come home to the people who love her.

[debbie in new jersey]

I'm very interested in the story posted from Pam on 9/12 at 11:25. Has anyone heard anymore about that, or has there been any other reported sighting of Casey in that area? The date really strike me funny because on the Nancy Grace show last week Leonard the bounty hunter mentioned Casey's phone records showed no activity from mid day on the 27th of June to early on the 28th of June. I think it may be something to bring to the attention of the police no matter how hard it is to reach someone. Just remember this poor baby needs to be brought home. So please Pam do everything you can to get someone to listen. Thanks.

[Earl Edwards]

My solution...try Casey A. for the money crimes and surely she'll be convicted. Throw her in the jug and forget her. If Caylee is alive, she's probably in better hands than with mom and grand parents. If deceased, she's beyond help and the only positive thing would be to "bring her home."

After a time dangling parole carrots might elicit something beyond the cockamamie results so far.

[Earl Edwards]

I've been watching Nancy(nee Grace) Linch and her show's coverage of the Casey n' Caylee charade for too long now. I don't see that much has been resolved but one thing is clear...Grace and her callers confirm that lynch law is alive and well in the South. Look at Nancy's married name!

[dorsi]

rose, I agree, I would be doing anything humanly possible to prove I'm not part of anything. I think, it was Lee that changed their minds. He is also under suspicion.

They really do need to stop acting like they are still in denial and bring reality to play.

[dorsi]

Pam, why didn't this Brian person go to the Orlando Police that very day and tell them. People aren't suppose to be digging on the road side anyway.

[Outraged]

The Anthony family continues to surpass even the most horrific of convicted parental abusers/killers of children of our time with each new day!@!@!@

This young woman continues to stand (sit) by while her toddler is missing, unconcerned for the welfare of her child, oblivious to the time, money and efforts of hundreds of strangers to find her child, indifferent to the questions/pleadings of various local and federal law enforment representatives for the truth about her child, and obviously unashamed meticulousness attention and COMMITTMENT to engineer, orchestrate and SUSTAIN this blatant hoax about kidnappers.

More incredulous are George and Cindy. They started out doing the right thing. They notified the authorities about their missing granddaughter, as any caring grandparent would.
They were forthcoming about monies stolen etc, in order to try to hold their daughter accountable in some way it seems. Now they seem as guilty as their daughter in their efforts to avoid the truth. They have continued to go above and beyond to defend, protect, bail out and hide this obviously disturbed individual, accuse law enforcement of any and everything, bash the media for covering this story and to avoid anyone who has direct questions and expect direct answers.

They continue to plead for everyone to focus on finding this innocent child. But all efforts by everyone including members of their own team to press, compel or coerce this demented daughter to tell the truth are attacked and/or evaded. They have done nothing to lend to the discovery of their daughters actions toward their grandchild. All their efforts especially lately seem to be aimed toward fortressing the defense of their demented daughter and concealment of anything that might show their knowledge of or involvement in the disappearance of the toddler.

I confidently believe that it is beyond comprehension to anyone who knows this family's predicament the lengths they have taken to cover up an innocent childs disappearance. It seems to be a road they have committed to travel, this father, mother, brother and sister! How can any other conclusion be drawn?

[Yvonne]

What I don't understand is Why is this girl Casey not in jail for the murder of her daughter Caylee. Isn't all the evidence enough to at least put her away. The FBI already confirmed that there was a dead body in Casey Anthony's car. They did air samples to suggest of a dicomposing body, they found hair strands that indicate it came from a dead body.And with all the misinformation given to authorities by Casey.Isn't all that not enough to lock the monster up?? I don't get it. The law sucks. I just hope this girl doesn't walk like OJ did. Please. Also I feel that Casey's lawyer is probably doing her. That's what it seems like.That's my personal opinion. Why else would she spend hours and hours everyday with him in his office instead of spending that time with authorities/FBI to help find her daughter to colaborate with her BS story..Doesn't this lawyer Mr. Baez have any other clients.It's pathetic.They should stip him of his law license if that is in fact of what's going on there.

[ellainecarr]

Casey and the Anthonys will not get away with it. The prosecutors are making sure that they will get a conviction because of double jeopardy. They wanna make sure that once they indict Casey for murder or homicide, she will be convicted. That is a better thing to do than rush in filing the case and end up losing because of technicality. Casey will not get away with this. There will be an end.

[debbie in new jersey]

I think the media needs to back off for awhile. Casey and Cindy are both watching everything on Nancy Grace. Cindy is convinced everyone is lying except Casey and Casey is just sitting back laughing at everyones theories. This is just a big game to her. Jail her for the stolen money. While she is in jail the police will have time to put a murder case together.

[Cecile in Virginia]

" Posted by: Cecile in Virgina | September 14, 2008 at 02:45 AM

I am surprised to hear of the child car seat. It gives me many more questions! I am wondering right now where they found it."

I didn't write these words, apparently my post and someone else's got mixed up. What I DID write.. though I don't remember my exact words..was I was wondering if anyone knew where, or if Casey had been questioned as to where Caylee slept from June9th when she left with Casey until the 15th or 16th of June when she was last seen. According to Tony Lazzaro's room mate, Casey stayed overnight every night, but Caylee never stayed over night once. We know Caylee was alive during that period of time, so where did she sleep?

[Cecile in Virginia]

I just wrote in a a second ago about not posting something? I see where my original post went, it was mixed up with Macy in Wisconsin's post, she must have wrote about the car seat.

[cecelia in kansas]

LE has to make sure they have a case against casey before she goes to court for the felony neglect charges, they cannot try her for that, and then try her for murder later on. (in florida, if caylees death resulted from the neglect they cannot re-charge her later for the murder)they have to be ready before then. let LE do what they need to do, we must be patient.
we all want answers, but a rush to judgment will not get the justice we all want so badly for caylee. There are so many things going on, and lots of evidence we are not privy to.
I pray for all the detectives working on this case, so little to go on so long after caylee had disappeared. We know you are doing the best job you can. may god be with all those searching for this beautiful little angel.