The Latest Developments in the Caylee Anthony Search

November 08, 2008

It was a busy day today in the search for Casey Anthony's missing daughter, 2-year-old Caylee Anthony. While we did not get the expected turnout – about 1,300 volunteers showed up – we were able to cover a lot of ground and clear over one third of the search grid.

Unfortunately, some things got a bit out of hand today when some volunteers leaked information on the Internet about some of the items that were found.

Earlier today, I attempted to clear up the details about the team of forensic students that made a find near Jay Blanchard Park. There was initially a bit of confusion over that because there were several finds made in the park today.

Some bones, which have since been identified as dog bones, were found near a lake. Another set of bones, found with what appeared to be internal organs, were also found; however it is my understanding that they are also believed to be animal bones.

At about the same time those items were found, the team of forensic students, along with another group of volunteers, found a pair of children's underwear, a plastic bag with shoes, a rubber glove and a machete discarded in the weeds. I am being very specific about these items because one of the volunteers has already leaked the information on another message board.

I arrived on the scene shortly after the second find and I was there when the CSI's came in to examine the items. To clarify what some other boards are reporting, the shoes were men's – I think size 9 - and the children's undergarments that were found were identified as boys underwear. The machete was rusty and appeared to have been in the weeds for some time. Last time we were in this area – during the Aug.-Sept. search – this particular area was under several feet of water. At any rate, none of the items are believed to be related to the case.

Meanwhile, there is a lot of chatter and rumors about a beaded cross necklace that was found in the woods. I have been aware of this find but was asked not to share the information. That information got leaked by a blogger on another site today and it has since been twisted into several different versions.

Yes, a cross was found hanging on a tree branch. No, it was not found today, it was found during the first search effort. The information has been carefully guarded because we were not sure of the significance of the find. It was not a store bought necklace, but a craft item that someone had made out of plastic and beads. What made the find interesting was that the beads, according to Leonard Padilla, were "identical" to beads that the female bounty hunter (the one who stayed in the house when Casey was out on bond) had seen on jewlery that Casey had allegedly made. Is it related to the case? Unknown. I saw a photo of the cross today but unfortunately that is the only thing they have. The cross was left on the branch and, according to Rob Dick, disappeared shortly thereafter.

My understanding is that a second cross was found today – I am not sure if it was a jewelry item or marker – but law enforcement has since discovered that it had been placed in the area by the family of a murder victim. It is unrelated to the case.

It is unfortunate that the cross information has been leaked. I had not planned on discussing it like this, but felt that it is necessary to clarify the information.

Sadly, there are some volunteers that are not here for Caylee, but who are here so that they can post messages on the Internet about all of the items that are found during the search. As a result, many of these people have been banned from joining in the search effort.

Whenever I am on the scene I am very careful in what I report. I am often privy to many details; however I do not post anything without first getting it cleared. I walk a fine line, giving you all of the information I can without compromising the case or the trust that I have earned.

That being said, EquuSearch remains in need of volunteers to come join the search effort. Anyone interested should come to the command center, which is located in Orlando, at the SE corner of Judge and Shadowridge. The command post is also in desperate need of supplies for the volunteers.

I will be back on the scene again tomorrow brining you all the latest developments.

Discuss The Caylee Anthony Case

Full Coverage : Casey Anthony Case

Photo Credits: Carla Lohr

Comments

[Kelly]

Thanks for clearing this up. I had read about it on the Gretta board. They had the info all screwed up.

[Eve]

This is exactly the type of hype that was created with regard to the Size 6 'pink dress' found. I watched the news earlier with reports of this "discovery" and hoped that it could have been the remains - thank you for clearing the misinformation.

I find that the more I watch the Media's coverage on this case, the more I seem to post items that appear to defend Casey Anthony because I think this case is not being justly tried.

Something heinous has happened here, collectively we sense it, but we do not know for sure. Volunteers need to come out in throngs to find Caylee.

Prior to the search, the defence presented a report that indicated "accidental death" - if the child's remains are found. Unfortunately, it makes me think that the search will be successful.

[Laurie in L.A.]

Hi David, Thanks for searching and also for reporting what you can. I am sorry that you guys are getting some "hangers on" like that. I guess it's bound to happen but it must be frustrating. Good luck with your search tomorrow. I'm wishing all of you the best.

[Amanda Davis]

Thank you for being careful in reporting information on the developments in the Caylee Anthony search. I always check your posts first before I check with the local Florida television stations. I'll continue to pray for you, the many volunteers and EquuSearch.

[glory]

Its sad that people are more interested in gossip then justice for caylee.How long will they be searching ? is it just tomorrow? I wish they would not have said they had so many people because im sure more people would have shown up.I am scheduled to go to florida next week but would have moved it up if i had known.

[Crisraye]

umm, I want to join the search I have a wonderful boyfriend and friends that would back me money wise and alot of family that lives an hour away from Orlando, I am not happy with the volunteers leaking crap and I just want to say if I get there if by some miracle of God I find that baby I do not want my name nor identity to be leaked to the press nor anyone else besides what I have to do ie talk to the cops! I just want that baby found!

[debbie]

David - i need to catch up with you today RE: search saturday and the leak. i will be at command center this morning and will look for you.

[protectkidz]

Thank you for your journalistic integrity. I guess it would be a perfect world if everyone was on the same page - but they are and it isn't.

Please let us know if more supplies are needed today

[cb]

Maybe the search teams will happen upon evidence for some other unsolved cases along the way: that's not a terrible thing.

I hadn't read any of the leaks and I'm glad that I saw your post first.

I understand animal bones being in the woods. I'm just wondering how well people are caring for pet dogs if their bones end up there. It seems strange.

I hope that you will have more volunteers today.

Keep the faith.

[Justice4Caylee]

I hope & pray with all of my heart,Caylee's remains are found.

The Anthony family has NOT cooperated with law enforcement,since the begininng. Wouldn't you report the child missing ( grand parents too! ) before the 31 days? and honestly! who would trust a pathological liar like,Casey! with a toddler????

The Anthony's should be charged with obstruction. They have done nothing but cover for Casey. It's always the cover up.

Lets all light a candle for Caylee & *send out positive energy for the volunteers* I hope & pray they can bring Caylee home for a proper burial,so that she can finally rest in peace~

[MomToAll]

Does anybody know which site the ifinds were leaked to?

[Kendra in Maine]

Murt, the guy with the live webcam, was one of the people responsible for the leak. When I was watching it yesterday a woman, I think a volunteer named Cheyenne who also runs a blog for a news station, came to his van door and told him all about it. He had his mic on at the time and everyone on the site (about 2000 people) heard her tell Murt about the necklace. From there it popped up on several boards and also the Gretta forum, but the story kept changing. I am glad we were finally provided with the facts here.

[Roberta]

Thank you David for all your hard work, and of course to TES and all the volunteers working so hard to bring Caylee home. It is good to know that I can come here to get honest, sensational free updates on how the search for little Caylee is going. My prayers are with you and the search team.

[MomToAll]

I was on Murt's site. I don't think he could be blamed. Where was Cheyenne from?

[MomToAll]

Okay - another rumor or what? I just read that many of the banned searchers are from a particular web-site. Anybody know which one?

[Brooksie]

It is sad what they are doing. How can they leak information like that, but worse how can they be out there searching for themselves and not that child. I am sickened by the bloggers, and the Brian's Dream Team who think this is a game, to see who can find Caylee first.

To many immature searchers are out there, and they are going to mess this up, and need to realize the one who does find Caylee is not going to be a hero, everyone who helped look for that child is already the hero. So they need to get over themselves.

[Margurite Prevost]

There are quite a few bloggers who are follwing this case. Google, Caylee Anthony and you will see. A lot of them are worse than a tabloid magazine ,which is very sad,because many of us want justice for Caylee & these leaks could hurt the case and stir up emotions that are already on the edge. This is a very traggic story :(

[s.c.]

This is very uncharacteristic of me to just 'guess'at something, and I hope I don't offend anyone. Again, this is just a guess as it seems to pop up in many other's comments: Try websleuth...awhile back when I was searching for a more objective, intelligent crime 'spot', I was referred there, only to find too many silly, non-fact-based opinions and sensationalism, to my disappointment, but lo, and behold, I have my crime news 'home' and it is here! Thank you to David Lohr!

[Justice4Caylee]

I volunteer with a local SPCA & I've noticed that some volunteers are in it for their own glory. In other words I have noticed that some of the bloggers on this case are in it for their own EGO gratification. I was even banned from one for not playing along with the blog owner. Do these leakers realize that they could ruin this case?! Hasn't Caylee been abused & neglected enough already?

I'm glad I found this website,it's more sincere. I personally will feel better when this little girl is found and there is justice.

[Loretta]

Oy vey.

Your integrity and care for victims is much appreciated. Searchers and bloggers who showboat remind me of, well, they remind me of Casey and those who support her lies and delusions.

[Suzy]

Thank you for addressing the rumors, as well as sharing the sad fact that there are some searchers who are not there for pure reasons.

My thoughts are with all of the wonderful people who have put their own lives on hold in order to help find Caylee. I do believe that the vast majority have pure motives.

[Marsha]

Does anyone know if there are swamps near the cell phone pings? It is horifying to contemplate it, but it is quite possible that Casey could have put that poor child's body where Florida alligators could have gotten it. Also, with the prior flooding, isn't it possible that any remains were widely scattered snd little might be left except bone fragments? Another possibility, has anyone ever considered that Casey might have told her brother Lee where the body was and he moved it long ago? He has been keeping a low profile lately.

[MomToAll]

Thank you Margurite Prevost and Justice4Caylee. I have tried Websleuths and found the same you have Margurite. Also, Justcie - I too am in animal rescue, hence my name. Not only am I Mom to my kids - I am foster Mom to several animals. I too notice people in for their own glory. And then when the going gets tough - they are just gone. So far what I have seen of this site I like. I may have finally found my home (well out side of rescue) as well.

[Justice4Caylee]

Hi Marsha! You sound like a good soul! animals & children are defenseless and need our help.

I'm sure Casey was an animal abuser :( God knows this is sadly,how murderers start out.

My candle is still lit & my prayers grow stronger for Caylee~

[Ex-Websleuth]

I agree about Websleuths... The worst part, in my mind, is that some of these people feel the need to insert themselves into the story by calling law enforcement in the middle of the night (3AM to lead investigator's personal cell phone) because someone changed their MySpace page to "Friends Only" (because they were being harassed by these same Websleuths). Be interested in the story, volunteer to search, donate to TES but, please, leave law enforcement to the professionals so it doesn't get screwed up.

[miss_kitteh]

Justice4Caylee: You're SURE that Caylee was an animal abuser??! Good grief, why would you start a crazy rumor like that, based on nothing more than your love of animals and your hate for Casey. Serial killers such as Jeffrey Dahmer may start out by killing animals, but they are almost exclusively male. Where do you get your information that mothers who kill their children are associated with animal abuse??

David, your clarification about the cross necklace that was found during the "first search effort" confused the heck out of me. I thought you were referring to the first search on Saturday, November 8th, but apparently you meant way back in August or September. I ended up on a wild goose chase for hours, trying to figure it out.

[miss_kitteh]

I can't see my comment because it's awaiting moderation, but I'm pretty sure I typed Caylee when I meant Casey. I found that annoying in all the case documents, and here I did it myself. It's amazing how often even her family and friends trip over the similarity of their names.

[Brooke Shaw]

I don't know why someone would murder Caylee. I love the picture when she was in the car and she had a baby doll in her hand with a hat. It's so sad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!