More Skeletal Remains Discovered; Search Site Expands

A utility worker who discovered a child's remains near Caylee Anthony grandparents' home last week phoned in three tips about the same area to authorities in August, an Orange County sheriff's spokesman said at a media briefing on Thursday.


A search began last week after the discovery in the woods, which is located less than a half-mile from George and Cindy Anthony's home, which they shared with their daughter, Casey Anthony, and 3-year-old Caylee, who was last seen in mid-June.


Orange County sheriff's Capt. Angelo Nieves said the utility worker, who was reading water meters when he made the discovery, phoned in the tips on consecutive days -- Aug. 11, 12 and 13 -- saying he saw a bag on the side of the road. The area the worker was referring to is the same area where he later found the skull.


A sheriff's deputy responded to the area after one of the tips but cleared the scene after a brief visit in which the bag was apparently not located. Nieves said the sheriff's office is investigating the deputy's response.


"There are a lot of questions about the thoroughness of that response," Nieves said.


The meter reader is not considered a suspect in the case, Nieves said.


Nieves also said more skeletal remains were found on Thursday and appeared to be those of a small child. The remains have not been identified -- the skull and earlier finds have been undergoing DNA and other testing.


Nieves said accusations made by Casey Anthony's defense team that the search site is being held by authorities longer than necessary are not true. He cited the fact that more remains have been found as proof.


"This is a perfect example of why the public and media should not be prejudging the case," said Todd Black, a spokesman for Casey Anthony's attorney, Jose Baez. "I would imagine the meter reader should get an attorney before the sheriff's office accuses him of a crime."


Because of their location and size, authorities said they believe the remains are that of the missing toddler, who was 2 years old when she disappeared.

Casey Anthony, 22, remains jailed on first-degree murder charges in the disappearance of her daughter, who was not reported missing until mid-July. Her trial is scheduled to begin in March.


Teeth, More Bones Found


Meanwhile, teeth and more skeletal remains were found during a search of the woods on Wednesday, causing officials to expand the search area to more than a half-acre, Local 6 News reported.


FBI agents on Thursday continued to assist in the search at the site. Prosecutors visited the search site on Wednesday to ensure the quality of work being done by investigators.

"As we make additional discoveries on the scene here, they will continue to provide that information, properly label it, sort through it, make sure that it's returned to the medical examiner's office as well," Carlos Nieves of the Orange County Sheriff's Office said.


A team of scientists, including anthropologists, a forensic botanist and a forensic entomologist, have been researching insect and plant growth and climate changes in the area in an effort to pinpoint when the remains were left there.


Casey Anthony's attorney, Jose Baez, on Thursday filed a notice of intent to examine debris taken from the search site, requesting that the state preserve all of the dirt, trees, bushes and shrubs so the defense team can thoroughly sift through it.
According to the defense team, hair similar to Caylee's was found and was being analyzed to help identify the remains, Local 6 News reported.


A nearby makeshift memorial displaying stuffed animals, balloons, letters and flowers in honor of Caylee has more than tripled in size since Monday, Local 6 News reported.


Some content courtesy Local6.com.