The small hands of a 7-year-old boy were insufficient to shield his tear-filled eyes, yet he summoned the courage to speak. In a Florida courtroom in 2008, dressed in a white button-up shirt and a knit vest, A.J. Hutto faced a harrowing task that no child should ever endure — he testified against his own mother, disclosing that “mama got mad” and “dunked” his sister in the pool.
Now, seventeen years later, A.J., at the age of 24, is beginning to share his reflections on that life-changing moment when he took the stand, a moment that would result in his mother being sentenced to life in prison. He remains steadfast in his assertion: “She’s 100% guilty.”
At that time, A.J. did not fully comprehend the gravity of his words. He was merely a young boy attempting to convey the truth — trying to articulate the unthinkable. What authorities had initially deemed an accidental drowning transformed into a far more disturbing reality, all due to the quiet bravery of a child who witnessed the events unfold. The tragedy occurred on a sweltering August day in 2007. Amanda Lewis, then 27, had just finished a night shift as a nurse’s assistant. She informed investigators that she intended to take a brief nap before taking her two children, Adrianna and A.J., shopping for school supplies. While she rested, the children requested to play outside.
Lewis stated that the pool was off-limits without supervision, but moments after the children went outdoors, A.J. returned with a chilling announcement: “Mama, Adrianna is in the pool.” Initially, she thought he meant that his sister was playing nearby, but when she looked out the window, she saw A.J. desperately reaching into the water.
She hurried outside and discovered 7-year-old Adrianna floating face-down, lifeless and blue. Despite being airlifted to the hospital, Adrianna could not be saved. Lewis recounted kissing her daughter one last time, saying, “I knew right then my baby was gone.”
At first, authorities considered the drowning to be accidental. However, A.J.’s revelations changed everything.A.J. recounted his experiences in a calm yet disquieting tone. He stated that Adrianna had acted out, which incited his mother’s anger. In response, Lewis “threw her into the pool.” When prompted for more details, A.J. elaborated, “Mama dunked my sister…she covered her face with her hand.”
He even created a drawing for the courtroom: one stick figure positioned by the pool, another floating in the water, and himself, distanced by a tree. He labeled the artwork with the phrases “she did” and “too bad,” which he clarified indicated that Adrianna had died — a notion that frightened him. Lewis was found guilty of first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse, receiving a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Meanwhile, A.J., the boy who bravely spoke the truth when others could not, faded from public attention — until now.
In an interview with the Daily Mail, A.J. expressed how little he comprehended the implications of the situation at that time. “I wasn’t coached. I simply recounted what I witnessed, verbatim,” he stated. “I was quite anxious… but I felt relieved that it was finally over.”
Now serving as a firefighter, A.J. carries the burden of that day with him. He recalls the abuse, the turmoil, and the sorrow of losing his sister, who was also his closest companion. His life with his adoptive family has been a stark contrast — filled with love, safety, and tranquility.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve had to discuss it,” he confessed. “But I remember the abuse. Sometimes it would catch us off guard… we were blindsided.” He has not seen his mother since, as the court has prohibited contact, a decision he has chosen to uphold. “I prefer it this way, to prevent any resurfacing of feelings, emotions, and traumas.”
Nonetheless, the choice to speak out as a child — and now again as an adult — has not been without its challenges. “It was devastating. After all, she is my mother. Yet, there was also a sense of relief that our suffering was finally coming to an end.”
Now, after 17 years, he is once again using his voice — not only to reflect on a painful past but to advocate for change.
