PICS + VIDEO:

PICS + VIDEO:
New Watch It! (Or Not) Slideshow

°

Homepage / Orlando News
Text Size

George Anthony: Casey's 'A Good Mother'

Grandfather Of Slain Toddler Opens Up In Interview

POSTED: Tuesday, April 7, 2009
UPDATED: 11:13 am EDT April 7, 2009

George Anthony opened up in his first candid interview since learning of his granddaughter's death.

Local 6 News reporter Adam Longo joined Anthony on the maiden voyage of the S.S. Caylee Marie on Lake Underhill and spoke with him about his daughter, Casey Anthony, and how he wants to remember Caylee Anthony.

"I think about Casey every single day," George Anthony said. "She's my daughter. I'm going to support her no matter what. I'm not giving up on her."

Casey Anthony is due to stand trial later this year. She is charged with first-degree murder in the death of her 2-year-old daughter Caylee.

"Casey's a good lady. She's a good mother. She's a good woman," George Anthony said. "I really think what she's going through right now is unfair. She's been tried. I wouldn't want to be tried that way."

George Anthony praised his daughter's legal team, and said he knows how difficult the next few months and the trial will be for his daughter.

"She's got a tough road ahead of her, but I really think the defense team she has, Jose and the people with him, I think they're doing a good job," George Anthony said.

George Anthony also commented on the plans to turn the land where Caylee's remains were found into a memorial.

"I don't want her memorialized down the end of our street," George Anthony said. "It's hard for me to talk about that now. I haven't even been down there."

He said the family hopes to build a park where they and others can pay their respects to Caylee.

"There's not a day that goes by that we don’t think about her," George Anthony said. "The song of Caylee that was sung at our memorial, that's played every single day inside of our cars when we're out."

George said he and his wife Cindy want to assist other families in need. They're planning a foundation where they'll be able to send a group to assist families dealing with similar circumstances.

The Kid Finders Network raised about $30,000 in donations to purchase the S.S. Caylee Marie, which is outfitted with the latest technology, including equipment some police forces do not possess. It will be used as an "extreme" search and rescue vessel.

"You can search a lake this size in just minutes rather than having to send divers in," Dennis Milstead of the Kid Finders Network said.

"We want to be an extension of the sheriff's office that can use the equipment he has here," George Anthony said.

George Anthony said the boat is now his life's work.

"I haven't been working since November of last year. I feel this is what I need to do. It's taken me 50 years to know what I should do with the rest of my life," George Anthony said.

He said the family is proud of the donations raised to fund the boat, but they hope they never have to use it.

Text Size
Text Size
The views expressed are not those of clickorlando.com, WKMG or its affiliated companies. This is a community moderated forum. (Please note the 'Like' and 'Report' tabs.) By posting your comments you agree to accept our Terms of Use.

Comments

blog comments powered by Disqus

Sponsored Links

Links We Like
Sponsored Content
Boost your home value and make buyers bite with these bathroom updates. More

Employers generally have options when it comes to hiring. Makes sure you present yourself as professionally as possible, or else. More

The signs of Cancer can sometimes be very subtle. Here's a guide to help you recognize them early. More

Snacking can be a healthy part of your diet, as long as you choose the right snacks. Get tips for eating between meals. More

Most Popular