The Prosecutor had me at 31 days. As a Mommy, if my toddler went missing for 31 seconds I’d be pounding on the police station door in hysterics…not drinking with wild abandon, indulging in some girl-on-girl action, and marking my mayhem with a new Bella Vita (“good/beautiful life”) tattoo. The sinister home computer searches, questionable car smell, and tangled web of lies only bolster the core 31 days argument.
Thirty-one days to report a sweet, innocent, doe-eyed little girl missing? And her Mommy wasn’t even the one who finally made the call to authorities? Guilty. Beyond any reasonable doubt. Ask any Mommy and she will tell you it’s true.

I will always be there to protect you, Alex. Always. May your life be full of celebrations with Grampy and the rest of your family. You are so loved.
I was preparing a special birthday dinner for my beloved father-in-law (new Rachipe below) when I heard the Casey Anthony verdict. Stunned, I sat in disbelief for one moment, but shock quickly turned into rage. This is OJ Simpson, take two. It would be an insult to call the jury one of my peers. First the hanging chads, and now a Not Guilty verdict for a child-killer? Shame on you, Florida.
My anger at Casey Anthony and the legal system was soon interrupted by the sound of my baby monitor. Alex was saying “Hi!”–his unique way of alerting me naptime is over. He wanted his Mommy. Tears started streaming down my face when I scooped him out of his crib, hugged him tight, and rested his head on my shoulder. All I could think was every child deserves a Mommy who would never hurt him. I am not a perfect Mommy, but I would give my life to protect my baby.
Caylee, I am heartsick that the last moments of your life must have been ones of sheer terror, as you were hurt by the hands you were meant to hold. I will never forget your story, or your smile…and I will pray your Mommy pays for her unforgivable crime somehow, some way, someday.
Bring a large pot of water to boil over medium heat. Salt the water, add the pasta and cook to al dente.
Meanwhile, heat a large skillet with a drizzle of EVOO over medium to medium-high heat. Add the bacon and cook for a few minutes until rendered and crisp (if using bacon).
Put a small bowl inverted into a large bowl, steady the corn cobs on the smaller bowl and scrape the ears. Add three-quarters of the scraped corn and any corn liquid to the pan with the bacon. Add the shallots and red pepper and liberally season with salt and pepper, to taste. Cook until the vegetables are tender, 5-6 minutes.
Add the remaining corn and half-and-half to a food processor and puree until smooth.
Pour the stock or wine into the corn and vegetables and simmer over low heat for a minute to reduce. Stir in the thyme and corn-cream mixture and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, to thicken. Add the hot sauce or cayenne and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Drain the pasta and add it to a large serving bowl. Pour in the sauce, add a couple of handfuls of cheese, about 1/2 cup, and toss. Top with torn basil or chopped tarragon and pass the remaining cheese at the table.
I have literally felt sick all day after hearing the verdict. Shame on Florida & shame on our judicial system. I truly hope she gets what she deserves. How anyone can hurt a child is beyond me…
Sometimes social justice can take the place of legal justice when it fails. I hope her life is pure hell…tortured by the knowledge that she killed her 2-year-old daughter, and tortured by the people who know she did it.
I was horrified to hear the verdict from your mom. I wasn’t watching tv, so I didn’t realize the verdict had been handed down. Casey Anthony is an insensitive monster!!! Shame on that jury… I hope social justice prevails!!!
I do, too, Jan. I hope she is ostracized from society–a modern day scarlet letter–and no one ever forgets the brutality of her crime.
Well said. If only Caylee’s own family had this passion for the truth, things may have been different. God bless little Caylee and everyone who truly loved her.
Yes, I lost a lot of respect for Casey’s mother during the trial. She totally lied because she feared her daughter would be put to death. I don’t know how she sleeps at night.
Hit it right on the head Jodi! Disgusting! I hugged Brady extra tight when I picked him up from school….I’m sure many other mommy’s did the same yesterday! RIP Caylee!
Absolutely horrifying. How a mother could ever harm her child is beyond me. There’s a special place in hell for women like Casey Anthony.
You really choked me up!! I share your exact feelings.
I could cry about this verdict again and again. It tore me up.
I was once in a grocery store and all of a sudden a woman started running through the aisles screaming her child’s name at the top of her lungs.. The ENTIRE grocery store stopped and became so quiet you could hear a pin drop. This child was found immediately but the sense of panic gripped each and every one of us that had children in their carts. It is impossible for me to imagine that she was ok with her daughter being missing for 31 days and could party and have fun if she REALLY didn’t know where she was.. I’m glad she can’t go home.. Hope she has a really hard time of it..THAT she deserves..
I completely agree. I hope social justice takes over where the court system failed. I hope she has a miserable life, and I am not ashamed to admit it! She disgusts me.