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Deputy: Mom's Car Smelled Of 'Decomposition'

POSTED: Tuesday, July 22, 2008

A sheriff's detective said a car driven by the mother of a missing 2-year-old Florida girl smelled of decomposition when investigators recovered it.

Casey Anthony's Pontiac was towed after being parked for days at an Orlando check-cashing business. Anthony's mother testified in court Tuesday that her daughter and granddaughter hadn't been home in weeks.

Cpl. Yuri Melich said that it appeared that a stain, some dirt and 2-year-old Caylee's hair were in the trunk.

"I actually went into the car to smell what the smell smelled like," Melich said. "Before, just before I came into (current position), I was a homicide detective for two years with the Orange County Sheriff's Office and in my experience, the smell that I smell inside that car was of decomposition."

Casey Anthony, 22, has been charged with child endangerment, making false official statements and obstructing a criminal investigation, but wants to be released on bond. Police say the 22-year-old has lied to them.

Grandmother Testifies

Meanwhile, Cindy Anthony said her daughter should be released and is a good mother.

Anthony sat quietly in the Orange County courtroom as Circuit Judge Stan Strickland heard arguments concerning her release.

Casey Anthony in court
Casey Anthony at her bond hearing.
Anthony's mother testified why Casey should be released.

"Casey has not done anything," Anthony said. "Casey is a good mom."

"Do you want to have alone time with your daughter to find your daughter?" Anthony's attorney Jose Baez asked.

"Absolutely," Cindy Anthony said. "She hasn't committed a crime. She needs to be home with her family. She can't speak to anybody where she is at. She stated that she was afraid to tell the police. She told them that."

Anthony also said investigators asked what kind of mother Casey is on Monday night.

"It's the first time they asked me questions of did I ever see bruises or anything like that," Anthony said. "The first time was last night."

Anthony said she would pay the bond to free her daughter.

"Do you think you can speak to your daughter one-to-one and possibly find some information that would help find Caylee?" Baez said.

"I would certainly hope she would want to open up to me," Anthony's father, George said.

Anthony was denied bail at a hearing last week after investigators said the 22-year-old did nothing but lied to them.

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