Post by Graveyardbride on Aug 20, 2016 9:24:02 GMT -5
Casey Anthony Plans to Open Daycare in Florida
Casey Anthony (above left), the now 30-year old woman referred to by some as “The Most Hated Woman in America” following her 2011 acquittal in the murder of her 2-year old daughter Caylee Marie Anthony, is in the process of obtaining a license to operate a home daycare in her home in West Beach. Information regarding Anthony’s plan to open a home daycare originally surfaced last month when a previous Florida Department of Children and Families employee leaked a photo of Casey Anthony’s family daycare home registration application on social media websites including Twitter and Facebook. The employee responsible for the leak was reportedly so caught-off-guard to see Anthony’s application that he took a picture of it on his computer screen and shared it with his social media friends and followers. The employee responsible for taking the photo has since been terminated from his position at the Florida Department of Children and Families and has been unavailable for comment.
After news of her home daycare business spread throughout the media, Anthony agreed to an interview with Florida ABC Affiliate reporter Daniel Jackson at her West Palm Beach home. According to Anthony, the five years since her trial have been extremely difficult and she feels she’s been forced to live as a recluse. Anthony informed the reporter that finding stable employment since her acquittal has been almost impossible and has resulted in a mountain of debt. Anthony told Jackson she has pursued several odd jobs over the past five years, including, online data entry, web design and even a failed photography venture.
Anthony explained that she didn’t find her true passion and the potential solution to her financial woes until she began babysitting her neighbor’s two small children. According to Anthony, she began watching the children when their 36-year-old single mother Debbie Higgins started a new career and was in desperate need of childcare. Anthony had been regularly babysitting the Higgins children for around six months when she decided to apply for a Florida business license and open her own home daycare. “Watching after Jade and Martin Higgins (above right) has really opened my eyes to my true passion – taking care of children. I believe that children are our greatest gift, there hasn’t been a day that goes by that I don’t mourn for Caylee Marie. She will always be in my heart. I am hoping that by caring for the children of others, I can begin the healing process.”
When asked when she expects her home daycare to be up and running, Anthony told the reporter, “I’ve been working toward this for a few months now and almost have all of my ducks in order, the majority of all the licensing has been approved and I’m just in the process of tying up the loose ends – I expect the business to be fully operational by mid-September 2016.” Anthony said she believes the home daycare business to be a perfect fit, because she not only is she passionate about children, but it’s something she can do from home and be her own boss. She hopes that through her continued work with children, she can earn back the trust of her community.
Debbie Higgins, the 37-year-old single mother, who has been allowing Anthony to care for her children, Jade and Martin, told reporters, “Admittedly, I was initially reluctant to leave my kids in the care of Casey. It was a tough decision to make, but I had to put food on the table and couldn’t afford traditional daycare. It’s been an amazing experience. Casey is very nurturing and my kids absolutely adore her.”
Anthony’s plan to operate a daycare business out of her home has caused a fair amount of unrest among Florida residents, however, according to officials, Ms. Anthony was not found guilty in the disappearance of her 2-year-old daughter and is free to start any legitimate business she chooses, including a home-based childcare service.
Source: George Drivas, Associated Media Coverage, August 5, 2016.
