Caylee Anthony Had Loving Moments Hugging and Laughing With Casey Before Death, Says Ex-Boyfriend

Correction Appended

Casey Anthony’s ex-boyfriend, Tony Lazzaro, testified Thursday that 2-year-old Caylee had loving moments with her mother before her death.

Anthony, who is accused of first degree murder in the death of Caylee, was seen tearing up as Lazarro recalled the mother and daughter hugging and laughing together and that Anthony had taught her daughter how to swim. Lazarro also said he remembered Anthony teaching Caylee with educational “flash cards,” according to CBS affiliate WKMG.

Thursday marks day 3 of the Casey Anthony murder trial. Caylee Anthony, who left a deep impression on the public with her doe-like eyes in a released photo, was last seen June 16, 2008. Prosecutors contend that Caylee died from duct tape placed over her nose and mouth, while the defense claims the toddler accidentally drowned in her grandparents’ pool.

Cindy Anthony, Casey Anthony’s mother, reported her granddaughter missing in a 911 call on July 15, 2008.

A medical examiner has not been able to conclude what caused Caylee's death, and reported that the toddler’s death was a homicide by undetermined means.

Working against Anthony’s case is that she did not report Caylee missing until 30 days later. Moreover, Anthony was seen partying at nightclubs, shopping and acting normal after her child went missing. She even participated in a “hot body” contest at a nightclub in Orlando days after Caylee disappeared.

Also, the trunk of her car tested positive for human decomposition.

Anthony, 25, has a mountain of testimonies and evidence against her, and is facing various charges, including providing false information to law enforcement. If convicted, she could face the death penalty.

Prosecutors are pushing their case using testimonies that Anthony never seemed sad or upset that her daughter was missing.

“She was the same as she always was,” said another ex-boyfriend, Ricardo Morales, about Anthony’s demeanor when she picked him up from a trip on July 15, according to The Associated Press. “Happy. Smiling. Just as usual. Same Casey.”

Correction: Friday, July 27, 2011:

An article on Thursday, July 26, 2011, about the trial of Casey Anthony, accused of murdering her two-year-old daughter Caylee Anthony, incorrectly reported that the trial was on day 14. The case was being heard for the third day.