Caylee Anthony Update 23 February

Casey Anthony doubled over and began to hyperventilate when Orange County Jail officials told her in December that the remains of a small child were found just a short walk from her parents' home.

Orange County sheriff's officials made sure her reaction was caught on video and instructed jail corrections officers to closely monitor her reaction, a source told the Orlando Sentinel on Friday.

At that time, no one knew whose bones an Orange County meter reader had stumbled upon near Suburban Drive on Dec.11. Orange County's medical examiner confirmed Dec.19 that the remains were those of 2-year-old Caylee Marie Anthony.

Casey Anthony has been held without bail at the Orange County Jail since her indictment in October on a first-degree murder charge in the death of her daughter. She has pleaded not guilty.

When she learned about the discovery Dec.11, Anthony began rocking back and forth and was visibly upset, according to the source.

The video of her reaction was later reviewed. Statements were taken from the Orange County Jail corrections officers who told Anthony of the discovery, according to documents released earlier this week from the State Attorney's Office.

Marti Mackenzie, a spokeswoman for Anthony's attorney, José Baez, e-mailed a statement to the Sentinel on Friday denouncing what happened.

"It is outrageous and cruel that they were standing by to record her emotions," Mackenzie said. "Let's call this the latest in a 'tape and release' strategy that the Sheriff's Office seems to have used since Casey was first arrested. Even if it's not their primary motive, the release of this kind of information has to have an influence on viewers and readers. Just look at the blogs."

The Orange County Sheriff's Office refused to release a copy of the videotape to the Sentinel, saying it was evidence in an ongoing criminal investigation, said Deputy Carlos Padilla, a sheriff's spokesman. If the tape is turned over to the State Attorney's Office as part of the prosecution's case, it could then become a public record.

Jail officials would not comment about the video or confirm its existence.

"As we have consistently stated, we do not report reaction or demeanor of any inmate in our custody," Orange County Jail spokesman Allen Moore said in an e-mailed statement. "Further, Orange County Corrections will not reveal any information about law enforcement investigations or requests.

Other Caylee Anthony Posts
source