At the tender age of 7, A.J. Hutto courageously testified against his mother, Amanda Lewis, disclosing her role in the death of his sister, Adrianna. Now at 24, A.J. publicly shares his story for the first time, firmly asserting: “She’s 100% guilty.”
In 2008, A.J. shocked a Florida courtroom as he recounted how “Mama got mad” and “dunked” Adrianna in the pool. Initially deemed an accident, the testimony from the 7-year-old prompted a murder investigation, ultimately leading to Lewis’ conviction for first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse. She received a life sentence in prison.
A.J. had created a haunting courtroom sketch, depicting his mother pushing Adrianna underwater while he stood beside a tree. His composed, childlike narrative captivated the courtroom. “Putting her hand over her face,” he stated when asked how his mother had killed his sister.
Lewis contended that she had been napping prior to back-to-school shopping and believed the children were merely playing. When A.J. informed her that Adrianna was in the pool, she hurried outside to discover her unresponsive. Despite her emotional retelling, A.J.’s account ultimately influenced the trial’s verdict.
After the trial, A.J. was adopted and began life anew under a different name. Now a firefighter, he told the Daily Mail that he was never coached. “I just told them exactly what I saw word for word,” he remarked.
In reflecting on his childhood, A.J. remembers “darkness, trauma,” and physical abuse. He describes his sister as his “best friend” and notes that he has not seen his mother since the trial — a situation he prefers to maintain.
“It was heartbreaking,” he confesses, “but also a relief.”
