At just 7 years old, A.J. Hutto bravely testified in a Florida courtroom in 2008, stating that his mother, Amanda Lewis, drowned his 7-year-old sister, Adrianna. Initially considered an accidental drowning, the case turned after A.J. told police that “Mama got mad” and “dunked” his sister in their backyard pool.

Lewis claimed she was preparing for a shopping trip and thought the kids were playing safely outside. She later found Adrianna unconscious in the pool and called for help, but the girl died in the hospital.

Six months later, A.J. testified, saying his mother “put her hand over [Adrianna’s] face” and drew a chilling picture in court. His statement led to Lewis being convicted of first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse. She was sentenced to life in prison.

Now 24 and working as a firefighter, A.J. has spoken publicly for the first time. He told the Daily Mail he was never coached and only described what he saw. He recalls his early years as full of “darkness, trauma,” and says both he and Adrianna were physically abused.

Since the trial, A.J. has lived with a loving adoptive family and has no contact with his mother. He described the separation as painful but necessary: “She’s my mother, but there was relief that the abuse finally ended.”