At just 7 years old, A.J. Hutto bravely testified against his mother, Amanda Lewis, saying she drowned his sister, Adrianna, in their backyard pool. Though too young to grasp the legal weight, A.J. told the court, “Mama got mad” and “dunked” his sister. His testimony led to Lewis’ conviction for first-degree murder and child abuse in 2008.
Initially believed to be an accidental drowning, the case shifted when A.J. told police his mother threw Adrianna in the pool and held her down. In court, he described the abuse they both endured and drew a picture showing his mother drowning Adrianna, saying plainly, “She did. Too bad.”
Lewis claimed she left the children outside briefly while preparing to go shopping and later found Adrianna face down in the pool. Despite her account, A.J.’s testimony was compelling and heartbreaking, ultimately leading to Lewis receiving a life sentence without parole.
Now 24 and a firefighter, A.J. has broken 17 years of silence, affirming his mother is “100% guilty.” He insists he was never coached, only recounting what he saw. Adopted by a loving family, he recalls a past filled with abuse and trauma but says his life has since changed completely.
He hasn’t seen his mother since the trial and prefers it that way, explaining, “It was heartbreaking. But there was also relief… what we were going through was finally coming to an end.”