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Evidence Suggests Missing Orlando Toddler Is Deceased

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The Associated Press

Published: September 2, 2008

ORLANDO - A missing 3-year-old girl's decomposing body was likely in the trunk of her arrested mother's car, the sheriff's office said Monday.

Investigators previously called Casey Anthony, 22, merely a "person of interest" in Caylee Anthony's disappearance.

The FBI's "laboratory evidence, along with additional evidence that has not been made public, leads investigators to the belief there is a strong probability that Caylee is deceased," the sheriff's office said. "If any evidence to the contrary is provided, it will be vigorously pursued."

The statement said the forensics tests confirmed there had been a decomposing body in Anthony's car. Detectives disclosed at a hearing in July that Anthony's trunk contained hair samples appearing to belong to Caylee, a strong odor and a suspicious stain that glowed under black light.

Anthony's attorney, Jose Baez, did not immediately return a telephone message left with a spokeswoman Monday. He has repeatedly said his client doesn't know what happened to Caylee.

Caylee was reported missing in mid-July, about a month after she was last seen.

Casey Anthony told investigators she dropped the girl off with a babysitter and went to work. Sheriff's detectives have said those details, and just about everything else Anthony has told them, was a lie.

Anthony was released on $500,000 bail Aug. 21, but returned to custody Friday on new theft charges unrelated to Caylee. She was arrested wearing a T-shirt with Caylee's picture. Protesters had gathered outside calling her a murderer and screaming she should be in jail.

Prosecutors have offered Anthony limited immunity in exchange for cooperation, but that is set to expire today.

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