Casey Anthony, the Florida mother acquitted in July in the death of her daughter Caylee, continues to make news headlines and anger people. Anthony, on Thursday, was ordered pay nearly $100,000 for searches she instigated, knowing Caylee was dead. George Anthony, Casey's father, claims that Caylee was drugged and Cindy Anthony, Casey's mother is saying her daughter had seizures.
Why is Anthony so hated that readers latch on to any bit of news about her? Reading this, you may be screaming at your computer, "because she killed her daughter!" I admit to clicking on any story about Anthony, hoping justice may yet be served. Other parents have committed similar atrocities, however, without incurring so much animosity. Let's compare the Anthony trial to other cases and see how it became the cause celebre of the century.
* Anthony did not report Caylee missing for a month. When she did, it was only after her mother prompted investigation. Anthony carried on normally and even partied. This fact alone is probably what earned her "most hated" status. Anthony rubbed salt in the wounds of a nation grieving the loss of her child, with her cool lack of concern.
* Anthony lied about her child's whereabouts. Other parents are doing this right now. John Skelton sits in a Michigan jail, refusing to tell the whereabouts his three boys, 9-year-old Andrew, 7-year-old Alexander and 5-year-old Tanner. The children were last seen at Thanksgiving when, instead of returning them to their mother, Skelton says he "gave the boys to an agency." Skelton is in jail. Anthony walks free.
* Anthony's actions remind us of other hurt children. Emotionally unstable parents sometimes kill their children. Children, like Joseph Johnson and Brandi Wulf, die from parental neglect, abandonment and cruelty. Caylee's death reminds us of the four children who die every day from abuse or neglect.
* Anthony worked against those trying to help. Family members sometimes know more than they tell about missing children, like Kyron Horman. Like JonBenet Ramsey, children can be found dead in or near their own homes without parents being negligent. The mothers of these children sought answers. Anthony hid them.
* Anthony uses people. She's being made to repay $97,676.98 for costs incurred in the search for Caylee, when Anthony knew the child was dead. Prosecutors say actual costs are over half a million dollars. A non-profit group sued Anthony in July for similar costs. Zeinada Gonzalez filed a defamation suit against Anthony for claiming Gonzalez was Caylee's nanny and implicating Gonzalez in the child's disappearance.
* Anthony could have other children. She's young, healthy and she gets around. There is nothing to prevent and every reason to expect that she will have more children. Will she learn from this and be a better mother? It's doubtful. Recidivism is high among parents who neglect children and aren't properly corrected. When Christina Moore's children were found dry-walled in their feces-filled room, it was discovered that Moore had two other children who had been removed from her custody for neglect.
* Anthony was acquitted in Caylee's death. When she walked free in the face of overwhelming public conviction it shocked the nation. The case can never be reopened.
Taken individually these facts may not be enough to cause such hatred for Anthony. Taken collectively, they are. The Anthony saga isn't over, though. Like Al Capone, it will be the lesser charges that trip Anthony up and bring some closure in this case.
Marilisa Kinney Sachteleben writes from 23 years parenting four children and 25 years teaching K-8, special needs, adult education and homeschool.
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