AJ Hutto, now 24, has broken his silence after nearly two decades, reaffirming the childhood testimony he gave at age seven that helped convict his biological mother, Amanda Lewis, of murdering his sister, Adrianna. He stood by his account, telling The Daily Mail, “One hundred percent guilty. I stand by every word I said.” His chilling courtroom drawing and testimony in 2008 depicted Amanda drowning Adrianna in their backyard pool.

Though some questioned whether AJ had been influenced at the time, he insists he told the truth based on what he witnessed. The autopsy supported his account, revealing bruises on Adrianna’s face that aligned with AJ’s claim of Amanda holding her underwater. Amanda was sentenced to life without parole, plus 30 years, though she continues to insist the drowning was accidental.

Now a firefighter with a new name and no contact with Amanda, AJ describes his childhood with her as traumatic and abusive. He recalls both he and Adrianna being physically hurt without warning. After the trial, he was adopted into a loving home, which he says changed his life completely.

Amanda Lewis is currently trying to reopen her case, citing a passed polygraph and new legal representation. Despite this, AJ remains resolute. “I know what I saw. I lived it,” he says, confident in the testimony that changed both of their lives forever.