Editor’s Note: This story contains discussions of child abuse that may be disturbing. Reader discretion is advised. If you suspect a child is being abused, find out how to report it in your state here. To connect with a counselor, you can call the National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4253.
(NewsNation) — Acquitted murder defendant Casey Anthony, who is styling herself as a researcher, consultant and advocate on social media, has spoken out against journalist Megyn Kelly for her recent comments about convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Kelly drew fire after the Nov. 12 episode of her Sirius XM program in which she discussed Epstein’s abuse of underage girls. She said the influential investor’s victimization of teens was “disgusting” but inferred that it is not as egregious as abusing younger children.
“There’s a difference between a 15-year-old and a 5-year-old, you know?” Kelly said.
Fallout ensued, with critics calling her remarks offensive and tone deaf. Enter Anthony, 39, who launched a TikTok account earlier this year.
“To anyone, especially Megyn Kelly, who have the audacity to justify even one moment of these crimes, you should be ashamed!” the latest post on Anthony’s TikTok account says, in part. “Stop using your platforms to lift up the abusers and to further hurt those who were victimized from Day 1.”
The post ends with Anthony, who identifies herself as a victim of childhood sexual abuse, saying, “F— you.”
Anthony gained notoriety for the 2008 disappearance and death of her 3-year-old daughter, Caylee, whose remains were found in a wooded area near her Orlando, Florida, home. A jury in 2011 acquitted Casey Anthony of first-degree murder and other serious charges, but she was convicted of four counts of lying to police. Sentenced to four years in prison, Casey Anthony was soon released, with credit for time served.
A lawyer who represented Anthony’s estranged parents during the highly publicized case has cast doubt on Casey Anthony’s bona fides as a legal advocate.
“She’s the perpetual victim,” Brad Conway told “Banfield” in March. “But she’s always out there, pitching her own story, her own sad story.”
Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide in 2019 in jail while awaiting trial on charges that he trafficked underage girls. The circumstances surrounding his crimes have been politically toxic to a variety of public officials and celebrities, including President Trump, who were in his orbit.
Trump this week signed a measure that sponsors hope will finally release all remaining Epstein files, with redactions to protect victims.