In a hushed courtroom, Cindy Anthony told jurors that she returned home from work on June 16, 2008, to find the pool ladder had been left standing against the pool, ready for use.
"I thought it was strange," she testified. "I told my co-workers about it."
Defense attorney Jose Baez showed Cindy several pictures of 2-year-old Caylee and the Anthony's above-ground pool. One of the pictures showed Caylee climbing the three-rung ladder into the pool with the help of Cindy.
The pictures caused Cindy Anthony to weep, while Casey wiped her eyes with a tissue.
"She could climb into the pool by herself," Anthony testified, explaining that they swam together daily. "She was anxious to get in."
"We took extra precaution every day to keep the ladder off the pool," Cindy continued. "We taught Caylee she had to be with us to swim."
Attorney Jose Baez with pool photos; Caylee inset
Red Huber / Orlando Sentinel / MCT / Getty; Inset: AP
"Yes, she could do it herself," Anthony answered.
The defense team says that Caylee accidentally drowned on June 16, 2008. The prosecution maintains that Casey Anthony killed her daughter and dumped her body in the woods.
The trial is ongoing. If convicted, Casey Anthony could get the death penalty.
