Casey Anthony failed to protect daughter, agency says

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Caylee Marie Anthony's death was the result of Casey Anthony's failure to protect her, a Florida Department of Children and Families report released Thursday said.

"It is the conclusion of the Department of Children and Families that (Casey Anthony) failed to protect her child from harm either through her actions or lack of actions, which tragically resulted in the child's untimely death," the investigation's report states.

The nearly three-year investigation verified three allegations classified as "maltreatments," including death, failure to protect and threatened harm.

They did not verify asphyxiation and physical injury because the Orange-Osceola Medical Examiner's Office was unable to confirm Caylee's cause of death.

DCF spokeswoman Carrie Hoeppner said the state agency's probe, which ended this week, was not a criminal investigation. The conclusions were submitted to the Orange County Sheriff's Office, but they will not result in any charges against Casey Anthony.

The child-protection agency routinely investigates child deaths. In this case, the agency investigated Caylee's death after it received allegations of "abuse at the hands of (Casey Anthony)," the report shows.

DCF started its second investigation into Casey Anthony on Dec. 29, 2008, after Caylee's remains were found in a swampy area near the home she shared with her mother and grandparents.

Investigators for the state child-protection agency also said that Casey Anthony's actions were "neglectful."

She failed to "report her child missing in a timely manner" and left her in the care of "a baby-sitter for which she was unable to provide accurate information."

The review also states the 25-year-old mother did not seek help if the child had "experienced an accident or medical emergency."

The child-protection agency had opened its first child-abuse investigation involving Casey Anthony in August 2008.

Two DCF officials interviewed Casey Anthony at the Orange County Jail on Sept. 4, 2008.

That meeting was a normal part of any DCF investigation, an official said. DCF officials are obligated to meet face to face with a parent who is being investigated for alleged child abuse.

DCF officials said Casey Anthony was cool and confident, telling a state child-protection investigator that authorities would not "break her" or make her confess to a crime she didn't commit.

Casey Anthony appeared "detached emotionally" as she spoke with the investigator and felt "confident going to court," according to that DCF report released November 2008.

(c) 2011, The Orlando Sentinel (Fla.).

Visit the Sentinel , at www.orlandosentinel.com/.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

 

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