Mum drowned seven-year-old daughter in pool then span twisted web of lies

Amanda E. Lewis was convicted of first-degree murder for drowning her seven-year-old daughter Adrianna Elaine Hutto in the family pool in Esto, Florida

A seven-year-old girl was murdered by her own mother in the family swimming pool – though the killing was initially dismissed as a tragic accident.

Adrianna Elaine Hutto resided in Esto, Florida. On August 8, 2007, Adrianna’s mother, Amanda E. Lewis, dialled 911 claiming she had discovered Adrianna unresponsive in the family pool.

Paramedics raced to the property and transported young Adrianna to Bay Medical, the local hospital. Devastatingly, she was declared dead within an hour of her arrival, as reported by Horizon Radio.

At first, Amanda had persuaded officers that her daughter’s demise was a horrific mishap. However, Adrianna’s six-year-old stepbrother, AJ, later disclosed the shocking reality to authorities.

The boy told police his mother had “dunked” Adrianna underwater as a form of discipline, reports the Mirror US.

During the subsequent criminal inquiry, it emerged Adrianna had been diagnosed with ADHD. Amanda claimed she had initially struggled to connect with her daughter but insisted their relationship had improved with time.

Officers observed a notable absence of playthings throughout the property. Amanda explained the toys had been confiscated for a week as punishment and were being stored in the garden shed.

Yet this lie was quickly debunked when police searched the shed and discovered it was empty. The children’s only possessions were a small red cart and two pool inflatables.

Amanda successfully completed a polygraph examination where she denied murdering Adrianna. Sheriff Lee initially informed the press that officers had discovered Adrianna in the swimming pool, but the reality was that the seven-year-old had been retrieved from the water by her mother, who attempted CPR before emergency services reached the location.

In September 2007, Amanda faced arrest on first-degree murder charges, with prosecutors offering a plea deal that would see her admit to manslaughter in return for a decade behind bars.

Amanda rejected the offer and proceedings commenced in February 2008.

When AJ’s allegations about his mother submerging Adrianna in the pool emerged, the defence contended he was an unreliable witness given his account had altered on multiple occasions.

Additional evidence presented included a neglected household, absence of children’s toys, and Amanda’s falsehood regarding playthings stored in the shed.

Medical examiner Charles Siebert conducted the post-mortem examination, despite having been previously dismissed for incompetence in 36 prior cases.

Prosecutors highlighted numerous bruises on Adrianna’s forehead, claiming these supported AJ’s testimony about disciplinary actions.

The jury delivered a guilty verdict for first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse, with Amanda receiving a life sentence without any chance of release.

The mother lodged an appeal in 2010, which was subsequently dismissed. On November 7, 2025, Lewis submitted a motion for post-conviction relief, citing four constitutional breaches concerning the jurors during her trial.