Casey Anthony is back. Not in a courtroom, but on your feed. It is 2026, and the woman once dubbed "America's most hated mom" has spent the last year attempting a radical rebrand that has basically set the internet on fire. If you’ve seen the news on Casey Anthony lately, you know she isn’t just staying quiet in South Florida anymore.
She's talking. A lot.
Just days ago, on January 14, 2026, Anthony made waves by publishing a scathing Substack post targeting Vice President JD Vance. She wasn't talking about her past. Instead, she was weighing in on a federal ICE shooting in Minneapolis, accusing the administration of shielding "Gestapo agents" from accountability. It’s a bizarre, aggressive pivot into political commentary and legal activism that few saw coming ten years ago.
The 2025 TikTok Launch and the "Legal Advocate" Tag
The shift really started in March 2025. Anthony surprised everyone by joining TikTok. She didn't post dance videos. She didn't do "get ready with me" clips. Instead, she sat in her car and looked directly into the camera, announcing she was a "legal advocate" and "researcher."
She claimed she’d been working in the legal field since 2011. Most people know she’s lived with Patrick McKenna, the lead investigator from her defense team, for years. She’s been his researcher, digging into cases behind the scenes. But now? Now she wants to be the face of the work. She told her followers she wanted to "reintroduce" herself.
Honestly, the reaction was exactly what you’d expect. Pure vitriol.
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People haven't forgotten Caylee. They haven't forgotten the 31 days. The TikTok comments were quickly turned off, but the video still racked up millions of views. She’s using the platform to push her Substack, where she charges $10 a month for "legal insights." She’s positioning herself as a champion for the LGBTQ+ community and women’s rights.
It’s a bold move. Some call it a "vanity project" for a world-class narcissist. Others are just fascinated by the sheer audacity of it.
Where is Casey Anthony Living Now?
Life for Casey isn't just Substack posts and political rants. She’s still based in South Florida, but she’s been spotted traveling. In July 2025, TMZ caught her in New Hampshire with a new look—a sharp bob haircut. She was on what looked like a date with Ben Beauchemin, a gun shop owner and former Army Ranger.
Her dating life has been a mess of headlines. Before the New Hampshire "situationship," there was Tyson Ray Rhodes. That one was messy. Rhodes was a married father of two. Casey reportedly moved to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, to be with him. They met at a gym. A source told the New York Post that Casey "grew tired" of him once he wasn't "forbidden fruit" anymore.
By November 2024, that was over. Rhodes reportedly regretted leaving his 22-year marriage. Casey? She just moved on to the next thing. She gets bored.
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The Family Feud That Won't Die
If you're looking for a happy reunion with George and Cindy Anthony, don't hold your breath. The 2022 Peacock documentary Where the Truth Lies blew up any remaining bridges. In it, Casey explicitly blamed her father, George, for Caylee’s death. She accused him of staging a drowning to cover up alleged abuse.
George and Cindy fired back. They even took a televised lie detector test on A&E in early 2024.
- George maintains his innocence.
- Cindy is caught in the middle.
- Casey hasn't spoken to George in years.
- She has "limited" contact with her mother and brother, Lee.
It’s a fractured family. George once told Dr. Oz he wished he could be part of her life but "can't trust her." That sentiment seems to have solidified as Casey leans harder into her new public persona.
What People Get Wrong About Her Legal Status
There’s a lot of misinformation floating around. No, Casey Anthony cannot be retried for the murder of Caylee. Double jeopardy is real. Even if she confessed tomorrow, the state of Florida couldn't touch her for those specific charges.
She did try to start a private investigation business in 2020 called "Case Research & Consulting Services LLC." It failed. Why? Because she’s a convicted felon. In Florida, felons can’t get a PI license. That’s likely why she’s using the term "legal advocate" now. It’s a vague title. It doesn't require a license.
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She’s basically a freelance researcher who has decided to become a public commentator.
The "Legal Advocate" Reality Check
Is she actually helping people? She claims she wants to give "tools and resources" to people who feel targeted by the system. She’s leveraging her notoriety to build a subscription business.
It’s working, at least in terms of numbers. People love to hate-watch her. Every time the news on Casey Anthony hits a cycle, her subscriber count probably ticks up. She’s leaning into the "most hated" label and trying to flip it into a brand.
If you're following this saga, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Check the source. Much of the "news" comes from her own controlled platforms (TikTok/Substack).
- Watch the court filings. While she can't be tried for Caylee's death, her involvement in other legal research roles is often scrutinized by Florida licensing boards.
- Ignore the rumors of a "new trial." Unless there's a completely unrelated crime, her 2011 acquittal stands.
The best way to stay informed is to look for primary documents—court records or official statements—rather than just the viral clips she puts out. She is a master of controlling the narrative. Or at least, she’s trying to be.
Next time you see her trending, remember: she’s not just a person from a cold case anymore. She’s a 38-year-old woman trying to build a career on the very legal system that once held her in a cage. It’s polarizing, it’s controversial, and in 2026, it’s apparently her full-time job.