Updated: Tuesday, 10 Feb 2009, 12:41 PM EST
Published : Monday, 09 Feb 2009, 11:59 PM EST
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. - A group of about 50 people gathered at the site where the remains of Caylee Anthony were discovered for an emotional memorial service on Tuesday.
Cindy Anthony said Padilla was not allowed in to a large memorial held earlier Tuesday at First Baptist Church of Orlando Tuesday, so Padilla decided to hold his own memorial on Suburban Drive at the location where meter reader Roy Kronk found Caylee's remains last December.
The ceremony took place at the same time as the church service.
Padilla organized the alternate memorial with Richard Grund, the father of Casey Anthony's ex-fiance, Richard Grund. He said the service gave people a chance to grieve.
The group left stuffed animals at the service and also added personal notes to a large board bearing Caylee's name.
On Monday, some questioned Padillas motives and whether he belonged in Central Florida.
“This is America and I have no reason to believe I do not have a place here,” Padilla said. “I bonded her daughter out. I am probably the one guy who never made one red cent off of this thing. I pay my own expenses...I never pass the plate or pass the hat for charity like all the other people she's dealing with. Paid my way 100 percent, so I can be here if I want it's my dime."