Some of items and soil sample from search at Anthonys

Casey's Closet and Caylee's Room Searched



Monday, December 22, 2008 – updated: 6:16 pm EST December 22, 2008ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. -- WFTV has learned crime scene investigators stripped Caylee Anthony's room and then raided Casey Anthony's closet during a recent search of the home.

Crime scene investigators have confiscated boxes of items from the Anthony home two times in the past week.

Sources tell eyewitness news last Thursday, investigators were focused on little Caylee Anthony. They took her clothes, shoes and even her toys.

Then over the weekend, another search warrant was executed. This time, they came back for Casey Anthony's belongings. They took more of Caylee's clothes, 5 to 8 pairs of Casey shoes and Casey's clothes as well.

Legal expert Bill Sheaffer believes investigators are trying to take as many items as possible to help build their case because they don't have a cause of death.

“Any forensic evidence linking Casey to the scene is extremely important for the states prosecution,” said Sheaffer.

We are also told investigators took soil samples from the Anthony home over the weekend. Once defense attorney Jose Baez found out that was taken as part of the evidence, he sent out his own team and they collected soil from the home for there forensic experts.

Sources tell WFTV, investigators also took two pairs of sunglasses and a pink zippered bag.

In the meantime, toys collected at a memorial for Caylee were handed out to needy children Monday.




TOYS DONATED Cynthia Melendez and her four children were forced into the Orlando Union Rescue Mission shelter a month ago. She lost her job and worried her children wouldn't have a Christmas. Now, she'll benefit from the community's outpouring over the Caylee Anthony tragedy.

"It's a blessing to them, but it’s heartbreaking at the same time," said Melendez.



Employees at the Mission unloaded armfuls of stuffed animals and toys brought from the Caylee Anthony memorial site where the child's remains were found more than a week ago. All 85 children staying at the shelter picked out a toy for Christmas. George and Cindy Anthony said their granddaughter was a giving child who liked to share and would have wanted this to happen.

The children at the mission couldn't stop singing and smiling when they saw the gifts under the tree, Monday morning.

"I feel excited, happy and thankful," said Katherine Lane, one of the children. When asked if she knew who had donated the presents, she answered, "Caylee and her grandparents."

Some parents said they were praying for the Anthonys and a few even said they sympathize with Casey Anthony, who stands accused of murdering her two-year-old daughter. She could go to prison for life is she's convicted. A tentative trial date has been set for March of 2009.

"I hope the courts understand that she was a young mom and there are hard times," said Jennifer Gonzalez.

Dozens of people have contacted WFTV, saying they were upset the Anthonys donated the items instead of leaving them at the memorial But parents at the shelter believe it's one way to keep alive Caylee's memory and help children who didn't think they'd receive anything this holiday season.

"I will tell my children that this was given to a child who lost her life, but you are living in her memory," said one mother.


FORMER BOYFRIEND SPEAKS

A man who once planned to marry Casey Anthony and take in Caylee as his own spoke publicly for the time Monday morning.

Jesse Grund appeared on "The Today Show." Grund reiterated claims made by several of Casey's friends that she had a problem telling the truth. But Grund said the Casey he knew wasn't capable of killing her daughter.

"I don't know what this Casey is capable of," said Grund. "I don't really know her at all they way she is now."

Grund said he believes this case will follow him for the rest of his life.


COURT HEARING CANCELLED

A hearing scheduled for Monday in a defamation lawsuit against Casey Anthony was cancelled.

George and Cindy Anthony were expected to testify in the civil case filed by Zenaida Gonzales. Gonzales was named as the mystery babysitter Casey claimed kidnapped Caylee. Detectives have long said Casey made up the story and Gonzales was never connected to Casey, Caylee, or the case.

Gonzalez's attorney voluntarily asked the court to delay the scheduled deposition in light of the discovery of Caylee's remains. Casey's attorney is asking the deposition be delayed until after the criminal trial.
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