| At the same time as the
Anthony memorial took place, the bounty hunter, Leonard Padilla, who has
close ties to the case held another, smaller memorial for Caylee, near
the spot where her remains were found. About 70 people attended this memorial.
"Today means that I'm gonna sit here. I'm gonna
say a few prayers between me and Caylee.
I wish I'da met her, I didn't. But I feel
like I know her. Caylee means more to me, than she
does to the media. To the media, she's just...television.
To me, she was a real person, a real
baby. I've got six grandsons, all at one time
or another, entered my mind when I'm
of Caylee.
Leonard Padilla
.
.
"This isn't anything that was planned. I didn't
know Caylee, but I feel like I did,. I wanted to
come out here and say a few prayers"
Leonard Padilla
Leonard said he felt he had to do this for Caylee
and the others who were there said they also felt the need to be there.
Leonard Padilla had been told he would not be allowed at the memorial at
the church as well as others who were on a list of people who would not
be permitted to enter the church.
"She specifically stated in the media that
she didn't want me there, so I can't go. It's a battle
of the titans. She figures it's Cindy's memorial,
not Caylee's, so she can invite and disinvite
who she wants. If she wants to disinvite me,
I've got no problem with that. I'll probably
be over there on Suburban at that particular
location and pay my respects there, to Caylee"
Leonard Padilla
The short memorial lasted only about 30 minutes.
Gathered in a semi circle, people stood near the
memorial made of teddy bards, dolls, crosses and pictures of Caylee. A
woman named Heidi Pnoyer brought a small doll in pink pajamas, for Caylee:
"I know she sees that I do something for her.
I know that and I pray every night for her. I just
had to come here. It's so sad. I can't imagine
if something were to ever happen to my grandchildren."
Heidi Pnoyer
.
.
.
.
.
Kalani Bowles had helped in placing a large, white
board for people to leave messages on. He thought the descision to exclude
some people from the memorial at the church was wrong:
"It's a funeral, not a rock concert. Anyone
who wanted to attend should have been allowed."
Kalani Bowles
Richard Grund, who had previously been thought to
be Caylee's father said that he and his family had loved her and the pain
they felt over her loss was real. Richard had babysat Caylee for quite
awhile when the Anthony's thought he was Caylee's father:
"The message here is for all of you. If you
have children, love them today, because as we
found out from this case, you may not have
them tomorrow."
Richard Grund
.
.
.
Leonard Padilla was accused of profiting from the
Caylee Anthony case and he denied it:
"I can tell you this on the life of my grandchildren,
and that is I have paid 100 percent of my and my people's expenses, and
I have not taken in one red cent. I have turned away contributions and
I
have turned away checks."
Leonard Padilla
.
Anthony Kline played "Amazing Grace" on his trumpet.
He said:
.
"My name is Anthony Kline and I came from work,
I'm on my work break right now and I just
wanted to pay my respects. I've been following
the case, since...since the beginning. I like to
play as a hobby and this kinda gave me a reason
to start playing again because I knew "Amazing Grace", and I just said
hey, this is, you know...I'd like to pay my respects by playing that song...
see how it goes. Cause it's right down the
road from where I live. And it's, I can't believe it you
know, it's very very heartfelt. I feel so
bad for the family. Especially the grandparents, because
they have no reason to be going through this.
.
Return
to Caylee's story
Read
a timeline of events surround Caylee's death
Read
the obituary for Caylee, written by Cindy Anthony
Read
about the public memorial for Caylee
For information about preventing child abuse in the
state of Florida, click the links below. If they can't help you, ask for
someone who can. NEVER give up looking for help for an abused child!
Call this number
to report child abuse ANY WHERE in the United States!
1-800-4-A-Child
1-800-422-4453
   
Share this page
with your family and friends!
My sincerest appreciation goes out to
Diane Trembly for allowing me to use one
of her beautiful Angels to make the graphics
for this set. Please visit her site,
by clicking the link below, to see all
of her amazing work.
|
