Seventeen years after the tragic death of his sister, 7-year-old A.J. Hutto, now 24, has broken his silence about the pivotal moment when he testified against his mother, Amanda Lewis, who was later convicted for the death of his sister, Adrianna Elaine Hutto. A.J.’s testimony, which occurred in 2008 when he was just a child, shocked the nation and played a crucial role in bringing justice for his sister.
On August 8, 2007, A.J.’s sister was found unresponsive in the family’s pool in Esto, Florida. Initially, her mother, Amanda Lewis, called emergency services, claiming that her daughter was not breathing. Adrianna was later pronounced dead at the hospital. Lewis explained that after finishing her night shift as a nurse, she had a brief nap while the children watched cartoons. When A.J. told her that Adrianna was in the pool, Lewis assumed he meant near it, as the pool ladder was kept locked. By the time she realized the situation, it was too late.
A Child’s Testimony
Despite the initial belief that Adrianna’s death was an accident, A.J.’s testimony in court months later revealed the truth. In a chilling moment, A.J., who had drawn a picture of the event, testified that his mother “dunked” his sister in the pool after becoming angry. His words and the drawing, which depicted his mother covering his sister’s face, left an indelible mark on the case.
A.J. described how his mother’s actions were fueled by anger and frustration, stating, “Mama dunked my sister… my mama got mad, so she throwed her in the pool.” His testimony, though given at such a young age, was clear and consistent. His drawing included the words “she did,” and “too bad,” and explained that the incident scared him deeply.
The jury found Amanda Lewis guilty of first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse. She was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
A Long Journey to Healing
In the years following the trial, A.J. was placed in a new home. His life took a new direction, but the trauma of his early years remained. Speaking publicly for the first time since his testimony, A.J. revealed to the Daily Mail that he wasn’t coached for the trial and only fully understood the impact of his words as a teenager. “I just told them exactly what I saw word for word,” he said, admitting that, as a child, the courtroom experience had left him “really, really nervous.”
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Reflecting on his childhood, A.J. described it as filled with darkness, trauma, and abuse. He and Adrianna had suffered physical abuse at the hands of their mother, and their shared bond was a source of comfort during their difficult childhood. “She was my best friend,” he said of his late sister.
Life After the Trial
A.J.’s life began to improve after he was adopted by a loving family, offering him the stability and care he had long been deprived of. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had to talk about it, so I kind of remember some things about my previous life. And for the most part, I remember the abuse,” he shared.
Since testifying, A.J. has not seen his mother. “It’s court-appointed that we cannot see each other, and I’ve wanted to keep it that way,” he said. “Just so nothing’s getting brought back up… all the feelings and emotions and the traumas getting brought back into light.” Although he admits the situation was heartbreaking, A.J. feels some relief knowing that the cycle of abuse and trauma has ended.
Adrianna Elaine Hutto/ ITV
A.J. Hutto’s courage as a young child to testify against his own mother remains a powerful moment in the quest for justice. Now an adult, A.J. is focused on moving forward with his life, and he works as a firefighter, finding healing and strength in his new life.
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