Carnival of the True Crime Blogs No. 128

Yet another exciting week in true crime. Did everyone have a nice Christmas?

It seems that Casey Anthony's "It was the babysitter!" defense has caught on. When a child goes missing has posted a new article entitled Another Nanny in FL. 22-year-old Megan McCormic told police that her babysitter, a woman named Camille, had kidnapped her 6-month-old son. However, the entire story was a lie and she doesn't even have a child. She is going to be charged with filing a false police report.

Meanwhile on Parents Behaving Badly, a blog always filled with lots of Christmas cheer, is a new article entitled Merry Christmas son, you're dead. Eryn Allegra suffocated her 8-year-old son, claiming that she didn't want to leave her baby alone when she committed suicide. She attempted to slit her wrists with a razor, however the razor was too dull and she eventually called the police.

December 27th -- Police arrest teen in brutal slaying is a new post on The Murder Book 2008. Blogger Paul LaRosa writes that Sharell Butler, 15, was arrested in connection with the stabbing death of John Hopkins-Drago, 22, who was discovered on December 22nd. Hopkins-Drago had been stabbed about 40 to 50 times.

David Lohr posts a new entry on The Criminal Report Daily entitled All that glitters is not gold in true crime. He writes about the misconception that suicide rates go up during the holidays (they actually go up during the spring and summer). Lohr then remembers two suicides. That of Stephanie Gestier and Jodie Gater, two 16 year old Australian girls. They committed suicide together after they were repeatedly bullied and harassed at school.

And finally, I'm going to implore you to check out my Last Dance for Grace: The Crystal Mangum Story reviews on In Cold Blog. The first section is up and new articles will be added every Saturday.

Carnival of the True Crime Blogs No. 127

Michelle, writer of the Michelle Says So blog, has posted a new article on NowPublic.com entitled Most "Fascinating" Sociopaths of 2008. The prestigious awards go to Joran van der Sloot, Drew Peterson, OJ Simpson, Casey Anthony and Gary Michael Hilton.

David Lohr's Criminal Report Daily also hosts a list. Entitled Top 10 Crime Stories of 2008, the article is a look back at some of the most intriguing cases of the year. The disappearance of Caylee Anthony is number one. The article also provides readers with a feedback section where they can vote for their own top ten.

Crime, Interrupted features a new blog, Psst... She's Not There. She writes that Checkie Hessel went to pick up her four year old daughter at the day care center that she attends only to find that she was not there. Where did she go?

Crime Rant has updated (yay!) with a new article, Caylee Anthony: Did they find you?. The bloggers ponder whether the small body found in Florida is the remains of little Caylee Anthony.

Carnival of the True Crime Blogs No. 126

When a child goes missing reports (in case you didn't already know) Remains found near Anthony home. The body of a small child was discovered by a utility worker within a half mile of Casey's parent's house. The body is currently being DNA tested to see if it is in fact Caylee Anthony. The post includes a video.

The Criminal Report Daily with David Lohr features a press release regarding missing mother of two, Kelly Morris. The post, titled Please help find Kelly Morris, lists the circumstances surrounding her disappearance as well as information about how to join the volunteer search.

Another example of Parents Behaving Badly, a Phoenix woman smothered her baby. Elizabeth Ortiz alleges that she fell asleep on the couch and accidentally smothered her 7-month-old son. After calling the paramedics Ortiz fled the scene, but when she returned she told authorities that she had substance abuse issues and that might have contributed to the death.

On Bunker Hill features a new post entitled Fry Cook Killer. Frank Lindsay, the killer in question, murdered his wife after an argument. He then ran from the law with his 11-year-old foster daughter in tow. While he was evading police he also kidnapped a 12-year-old girl. He was finally apprehended and convicted of his wife's murder. He was sentenced to 65 years in Walla Walla Prison.

True Crime Blogroll No. 125

17 more shopping days until Christmas...

Michelle of the Michelle Says So blog posted a new article entitled Study: 1 million sex crimes by illegals. Michelle writes that sexual assaults, child molestation and sexually motivated homicides are perpetrated by illegal immigrants at a slightly higher rate than the legal population. Additionally, 35% of the victims were children and many others had physical or mental disabilities.

A small update on the Criminal Report Daily, David Lohr writes No death penalty for Casey Anthony. Anthony is being charged with the first degree murder of her daughter, Caylee. Her trial will start in January.

Meanwhile, When a child goes missing has their own question about the Caylee Anthony case. They are wondering Whose best interest? The short post also contains a video clip from the Associated Press showing Casey talking to her parents and to her brother about her missing child.

A disturbing post on Parents Behaving Badly, Jailers get no jail, states that Teresa and Jay Moody will only face two years probation and no longer be allowed to be foster parents. In 2005 the couple was accused of child abuse after two children were removed from their custody. The kids had been locked in a cage in a horse stall and had also been refused food as a punishment.