State prosecutors file formal charges against Casey Anthony

Sarah Lundy Sentinel Staff Writer
August 5, 2008

State prosecutors filed formal charges this afternoon against Casey Anthony, the mother of missing 2-year-old Caylee Marie.

Anthony, 22, was charged with child neglect, a third-degree felony, and filing a false statement, which is a misdemeanor. If convicted, she could face up to five years in prison for the felony and a year for the misdemeanor.

The State Attorney's Office issued the charges after reviewing the evidence and statements collected so far by detectives with the Orange County Sheriff's Office.

"While the State understands the importance of this information to the community, this office does not want to create the type of publicity that would lead to a change of venue. Therefore, we will not comment further on the case itself," in statement released by the State Attorney's Office.

"Remember, these charges are only allegations and do not constitute a proof of guilt. Ms. Anthony has the right to a trial by jury and is cloaked with the presumption of innocence."Anthony has been held at the Orange County Jail since her arrest by detectives in July.

She was unable to convince Orange Circuit Court Judge Stan Strickland to lower her $500,200 bail.

Because of the new charges, she is entitled to another bail hearing before Strickland. At this point, her attorney, Jose Baez, has not requested a hearing, according to court officials.

Casey Anthony's mother, Cindy Anthony, was scheduled to visit her daughter in jail this afternoon.

However, she did not show up for visitation. Casey Anthony's father, George Anthony, visited on Sunday.