Local search group sues Casey Anthony

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A local search-and-rescue group has filed a civil lawsuit against Casey Anthony in an effort to recoup expenses in its search for Caylee Anthony.

Texas Equusearch filed the suit Tuesday in the 9th Judicial District Circuit in and for Orange County, Fla. -- Texas EquuSearch Mounted Search and Recovery v. Casey Anthony. [READ LAWSUIT] Equusearch says it used 4,200 volunteer searchers and spent $112,000 looking for Caylee Anthony in Florida. That includes phone lines, fuel cost, housing and more. "This is the money that really needed to go to families that need us," said Tim Miller of Equusearch. "While we were doing that search, we were so involved, we had several families that called in and really needed our help. And we had to turn them down." The group started to consider a lawsuit after testimony during the trial that the child was never missing. Casey Anthony was found not guilty July 5 on charges of murder, aggravated child abuse and aggravated manslaughter of a child. She is now being sued by Zenaida Fernandez Gonzalez. That was the name Casey Anthony used when she lied about a nanny kidnapping her little girl. Casey Anthony is scheduled to be released from jail on July 17. (Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

florida, local

View the original article here

Local search group considers suing Casey Anthony

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Casey Anthony may have been acquitted in the death of her own daughter, Caylee, but she could still face legal challenges, including from the local search-and-rescue group known as Texas Equusearch.

Anthony was found not guilty Tuesday on charges of murder, aggravated child abuse and aggravated manslaughter of a child. She will be sentenced Thursday on the four misdemeanor lying charges, but she could be given credit for time served.

Texas Equusearch has worked hundreds of missing persons cases over the years. It never questions time or resources spent. But the Caylee Anthony case and the acquittal of her mother has the organization questioning whether to sue to recoup those search expenses.

Equusearch says it used 4,200 volunteer searchers and spent $112,000 looking for Caylee in Florida. That includes phone lines, fuel cost, housing and more.

In hindsight, Tim Miller believes based on trial testimony he heard that the child was never missing and now, Equusearch wants to be reimbursed.

"This is the money that really needed to go to families that need us," he said. "While we were doing that search, we were so involved, we had several families that called in and really needed our help. And we had to turn them down."

Miller says he's consulting with his attorneys on whether there's a basis for a lawsuit and whether or not there's any money to recoup from the Anthony family.

Casey Anthony is now being sued by Zenaida Fernandez Gonzalez. That was the name Anthony used when she lied about a nanny kidnapping her little girl.

Barbara Walters spoke with defense attorney Jose Baez for his first network interview since the acquittal. You can check out that interview during tonight's Primetime Nightline special, "Casey Anthony: Not Guilty: Inside the Bombshell Verdict." That starts tonight at 9pm.

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more National/World »

florida, national/world

View the original article here