ORLANDO, Fla. -- A grand jury indicted the mother of missing 3-year-old Caylee Anthony, Casey, on first-degree murder and other charges.

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IMAGES: Casey Anthony, Baez
VIDEO: Casey Anthony, Attorney Hold News Conference

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Prosecutors announced that Casey Anthony was indicted and arrested on charges that she killed her daughter Caylee Tuesday night.

Investigators had previously questioned why Anthony, 22, didn't contact authorities for a month after her daughter's June disappearance.

Casey Anthony's father, George, testified behind closed doors to the grand jury along with a detective and an FBI agent.

Baez: Everyone Will Understand

Earlier, Casey Anthony's attorney, Jose Baez lashed out at law enforcement and what he called "systematic leaks" in the case as a tearful Anthony stood next to him during a news conference.

Baez and Anthony walked in front of a group of reporters and first discussed a grand jury.

"(The grand jury) is secret for various reasons," Baez said. "One, you don't want it to compromise the integrity of the grand jury. Two, you certainly don't want any targets of the grand jury be aware and three you don't want to have to possibly taint those opinions of the grand jurors. Of course, none of that is being accomplished today. You have a situation where, I truly believe, if a prosecutor wanted to walk in there without calling any testimony, they can ask does anyone want to indict Casey Anthony and they'd all vote yes by now. They'd do this no because of any evidence that has been presented or released in discovery in this case (but) they do this because of the systematic leaks that have gone out from the state attorney's office and law enforcement. Evidence that no one has seen and no one has had the opportunity to test and no one has the opportunity to independently verify."

Baez said Casey Anthony has never run from the situation.

"She is not running from this. She has never attempted to run away from the situation and everyone must understand that. She is doing her best to stand strong before everyone and to standup to the powers that are working against her. They threw the kitchen sink at her a long time ago -- a very long time ago."

Baez then asked people to remember the U.S. Constitution.

"Casey has been going through a nightmare and has been living a nightmare for the last several month," Baez said. "She has a missing child and she is also someone's child. This family has had to withstand something unlike anyone has ever seen. We just ask that everyone respect that and everyone understand what Casey Anthony is going through."

Baez said if the evidence is what it is supposed to be, it will withstand the rigors of cross examination. He warned people not to jump to conclusions.

"That is not why we have people dying in Iraq for," Baez said. "That's not why we have been fighting to keep these freedoms alive. This is the ultimate test. Everyone here should be aware of that and everyone should embrace that. I've told you many times that I understand the freedom of the press but I think it should be fair and balanced. And just because we have yet to disclose or explain Casey's version of events doesn't make it any less credible."

Baez then lashed out at law enforcement.

"The question should be posed and turned around toward law enforcement as to why they are behaving the way they are," Baez said. "Why they are attempting to circumvent our Constitution."

Baez said he has been asked about the politics of the situation.

"I want you to hear it straight from my mouth." Baez said. "These are my words. I understand that there is an election going on and I understand that those days are numbered and I understand that Casey Anthony is public enemy #1 and that the state attorney's office and the sheriff's department is under a great deal of pressure to close this case. I don't think Lawson Lamar -- and I certainly hope -- that Lawson Lamar would not utilize a missing child to keep his job. So, I'm not going to throw out any accusations. We all know what the situation is and if people want to conclude that, I'll allow them to do so. But as far as straight up accusations, it is not coming from me."

Baez also said that he thinks it will be investigated.

"If that is a reality of the situation, it will come out at a later time," Baez said. "I'm not going to engage in any mudslinging. I don't think it has any place here."

Baez said he has been preparing for the very worst.

"I wouldn't be doing (Casey Anthony) a proper service for what is probably going to go down today," Baez said. "We have a court system set up for this and that is what we are going to utilize the system for -- for a search for the truth and nothing more."

Baez urged the media to ask the tough the questions.

"I sincerely believe when we have finally spoken, everyone -- and I mean everyone -- will sit back and say, 'Now I understand and that explains it.'"

Baez then ended the new conference without answering questions.

Baez let nearly all local media crews into his office except for a television crew.

"Casey wants to be here and she has always wanted to speak but she trusts me and will allow me to speak for her," Baez said. "There will be no questions or any blurting out of anything. If there is, of course, you will find yourself out in the parking lot with some other less respectful people (TV crew)," Baez said. "I won't stand for any tabloid reporting or any cheap shots or lack of respect."

Cindy Anthony Discusses Leaks

Meanwhile, the grandmother of missing Caylee Anthony is blaming politics and the upcoming election on recent leaks concerning the case of her daughter, Casey.

"I feel that a lot of what is going on right now is a political move on the state attorney's office - Lawson Lamar," Anthony said. "I feel that right now I think the reason these leaks are being let out -- especially about the grand jury is because of the upcoming election."

Anthony said she is tired of how the story of Casey and Caylee Anthony has played out in the media, Local 6 reported. She said she hopes that media reports don't negatively affect the panel of 15 grand jurors Tuesday.

Anthony said Tuesday's grand jury is not upsetting her daughter.

"She is upset about her daughter," Anthony said. "You know that the grand jury hearing tomorrow is not upsetting her. What she is upset with is finding out the information that you know, they stopped looking for Caylee. That is what is upsetting to her."

Search Team Leaving

Local 6 learned that the volunteer search group EquuSearch will be leaving Orlando.

Tim Miller of EquuSearch said a search for Caylee will resume in two to three weeks.

A national search for Caylee continues.

Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.