Mom Shares Thoughts on Murder Case

Court dramas and trials are usually not one of my interests, but the high profile Florida capital murder trial of Casey Anthony has piqued my fascination in the recent weeks.

As a mother of a young daughter, I feel an emotional connection to little Caylee’s story. She was 2 years old at the time of her disappearance. This tragic case has made national headline news, and has made me question how a mother could possibly harm her child and act callously and free-spirited after her death.

The few times that I have lost sight of my daughter on the playground or in a store, I immediately began panicking and my heart raced as I almost hyperventilated. Frantically I searched, yelling her name. She usually wasn’t far from me and I found her quickly, but that moment of uncertain fear really grips a mother. According to news reports, Casey Anthony let 31 days go by before she told anyone that her daughter, Caylee, was missing.

During those 31 days, she was photographed partying at nightclubs and acting like she had a new lease on life without her daughter. To me, as a mother, this behavior is just mind-boggling.

Once she finally told her brother Caylee went missing June 16, 2008, she reportedly told a story about a nanny named Zany who had kidnapped Caylee. Lawyers would later allege that her lies ran deep. Once again, as a mother, I know if my child had been kidnapped I would be distraught and at the police station within moments.

Sadly, Caylee’s remains were recovered on Dec. 11, 2008 in a wooded area near the Anthony’s home in Florida. Casey was reportedly still giving hope to her parents, George and Cindy, saying she thought Caylee was still alive. After evidence was collected, prosecutors for the State of Florida charged Casey with first-degree murder and recommended the death penalty. Her trial is now in its fourth week as Casey’s defense team begins to present its case.

Grim evidence presented by the prosecution in the case has disturbed me at times. Yet we are privileged in the United States to be granted a fair trial and be deemed innocent until proven guilty. I have formed an opinion that Casey is guilty of this horrendous crime, because, as a mother, her actions and behavior after Caylee went missing were so different from any mother’s I know would be. This, alongside the overwhelming yet circumstantial evidence presented, forms an overall picture of the crime for me.

A mother’s bond with a child is one of the strongest, if not the strongest, relationships we have. A parent’s love for his or her child goes above and beyond. Even past abuse or trauma in one’s life does not affect or break this bond in most cases.

When I look at pictures of Caylee Anthony, I am saddened that this innocent, beautiful child never got to reach her third birthday. Whatever the verdict is, once it is read, I hope justice will prevail for little Caylee.

—Editor's note: The Casey Anthony trial is ongoing and guilt has not been determined. Read more about the trial here.