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Swamps Searched With Airboat In Caylee Case; 2,000 Tips ReceivedMissing Caylee's Mother Arrested; Crowd Outside Of Home Cheers
POSTED: 6:33 pm EDT August 30, 2008
UPDATED: 6:54 pm EDT August 30, 2008
ORLANDO, Fla. -- A group of about 100 volunteers used sonar and a high-tech airboat to search Central Florida swamps and other remote areas for a missing Orlando girl.
"We still have that glimmer of hope that (Caylee) is still out there alive," Equusearch official Tim Miller said. "But our experience in 920-plus searches is that this is probably not going to end up good."
The weekend search came after Caylee's mother, Casey Anthony, 22, was arrested on theft charges Friday night.
Dozens of people met up early Saturday near Moss Park in Orange County and the search was launched in some nearby swampland and other areas.
Beth Holloway Twitty showed up during the search.
"A lot of people came to help me when I was searching for my daughter on the island of Aurba," Holloway Twitty said.
Organizers said they were hoping for more than 1,000 volunteers for the search but only 100 people showed up.
The group is looking for volunteers for another search being launched Sunday. The group will meet early Sunday at the Holiday Inn located at 5750 TG Lee Blvd.Casey Makes First Appearance
Meanwhile, Casey Anthony made her first appearance in court since her arrest.
A judge set her bond at $3,000 on new charges, which include check fraud.
Local 6 News has learned that the bail bondsman that posted her original $500,000 bond has revoked it.
So, Anthony remains on Level One protective custody at the Orange County Jail.
She can have no contact with other inmates and she's allowed three non-attorney visitors a week.
Investigator Denies Arrest Was For Publicity
When Anthony was taken into custody Friday, a crowd screamed insults and cheered as she was led away in handcuffs.
"I've been praying for (the arrest) for a long time," a woman told Local 6's Adam Longo in front of the Anthony house. "Caylee needs justice. And finally tonight, justice has been done. She belongs in jail forever."
After the arrest, Anthony's attorney, Jose Baez, said the arrest was done to create a "big spectacle."
"I just have a real problem with law enforcement flexing their muscles just to make a show," Baez said. "And that is all this was -- a big spectacle. (It was) a big spectacle in front of these people and a big spectacle in front of the community and for the media."
Baez was asked if Casey Anthony should have been arrested on the financially related charges.
"They could have arrested her two months ago," Baez said. "But they decided to do it at a specific time and a specific place and decided to leak it to the media. Once they did, and I caught wind of it, I decided to send them a fax -- which I have here with me from my office -- and I told them, 'Listen, let's do this in a professional manner if you plan on arresting her and if you have any additional charges, I'll surrender her. She is not a flight risk. She is here to stand in front of these charges and I'll surrender her.'"
Baez said Detective John Allen wanted "his grand spectacle."
On Saturday, Allen denied the arrest was done to create excessive publicity.
Allen and other officers helped in Saturday's search.
"At this point, we are trying to hold some information close to protect the integrity of the investigation," Allen said. "But clearly, out job is to find her whether she is dead or alive."
Allen said more than 2,000 tips have be reported in the case.
Theft Charges Detailed In Affidavit
According to a new arrest affidavit, Anthony allegedly wrote about $700 worth of checks that had been stolen.
Detectives said they have Anthony on surveillance video using the stolen checks belonging to a friend at a Target store and a Bank of America.
Local 6 has also learned there could be more charges to come for Casey Anthony.
In a recently released report, Casey Anthony allegedly used a routing number off a birthday check her grandmother gave her.
Casey Sent Girl E-Mails
Earlier Friday, Local 6 News exclusively obtained e-mails from Casey Anthony that she sent to a 12-year-old girl she befriended since being bailed out of jail.
The e-mails, letters and a bracelet were sent to Dakota Skii, a St. Cloud Middle School student, who helped organize a vigil in St. Cloud earlier this month for Caylee Anthony, who has been missing since mid-June.
"I can't imagine what they're going through, and I just want to help them get through this," Skii said at the vigil.
Skii, who believes Caylee is still alive, was hospitalized with a severe stress-related medical issue after hearing that sources recently said DNA results and air sample tests from Casey Anthony’s car suggest that Caylee is likely dead, Skii's grandmother, Lois Peter, told Local 6 News.
Peter contacted Local 6 News about the relationship and has since informed law enforcement, saying she hopes the Anthonys do not feel betrayed and that she wants the "madness" to end.
Peter said she called Casey Anthony's mother, Cindy Anthony, after Skii was hospitalized to inform her of the situation.
"I heard Casey in the background, and she was crying. I was like, 'Yeah, Casey. Just tell us what happened to Caylee,'" said Peter, who believes that Caylee may have died accidentally.
Casey Anthony sent Skii an e-mail on Thursday night, saying, "If you need anything, I'll do anything I can, and more."
Skii also received a bracelet with the words "my friend, my sister" from Casey Anthony.
A hand-written note sent to Skii from Casey Anthony said:
"Hey Sweetie! I can't thank you enough for everything you have done for my family. I am really looking forward to seeing you. We will schedule something very soon, I promise. I would love to have you spend the night, and spend time getting to know each other. You are such an amazing girl and already a true friend. We are so blessed to have you and your Mom in our lives. I love you. Thank you for my gift (a stuffed animal), I named him after you. I will see you soon. Love, Casey"
Casey Anthony was charged with child neglect and filing a false statement in mid-July, about a month after she said she last saw her daughter, Caylee. An ankle bracelet is currently monitoring her on home confinement at her parents' house after she was bailed out of the Orange County Jail last week.
Also on Friday, Casey Anthony's father, George Anthony, tossed two chairs and other items and threatened to call authorities after two men were sitting outside his home between the sidewalk and the street.
"Get off my property. This is my property and this is my property," said George Anthony while pointing to his yard and the grass between the sidewalk and street.
A neighbor intervened, holding George Anthony back from the two men, who said they were at the house to take pictures and try to see Casey Anthony.
"I don't care how big you are or how small you are," George Anthony said before placing his hand under the arm of one of the men and pushing him back. "Next time I see you or anyone else on my property, I will file charges."
"I think (Casey Anthony) needs to be re-arrested, and I hope that happens. I want to be here when that happens," the man who was pushed said.
"The person who was in the back of my daughter's car was not my granddaughter," George Anthony yelled.
Shortly after the incident, two Orange County sheriff's deputies arrived at the house to serve criminal witness subpoenas to George and Cindy Anthony and their son, Lee Anthony.
"It's the trial period that was set for the criminal case," a deputy said. "They're from Nov. 17 through Nov. 28. These came from the State Attorney's Office this morning. It's to put them on standby for the trial for a two-week period."
Watch Local 6 News for more on this developing story.
