OKECHOBEE, Fla. – A Florida woman was arrested after allegedly attempting to poison an 11-month-old infant she was babysitting with antifreeze, according to the Okeechobee City Police Department. The incident occurred on or around February 12 at the suspect’s residence in Okeechobee, located roughly 70 miles northwest of Palm Beach.
Suspect and Charges
The suspect, Anna M. Adamo, 59, faces multiple serious charges including aggravated child abuse, attempted first-degree murder, and adulterating food or drink. Police say Adamo was previously accused of a similar act in 2014, though no charges were filed at that time.
Adamo was arrested on October 3 in Lowndes County, Georgia on a fugitive from justice warrant and later extradited to Florida. She was released on bond on Wednesday.
Timeline of the Incident
The child’s mother left the infant with Adamo after breastfeeding him and providing two 3.5-ounce bottles of breastmilk and some solid food. The mother and babysitter communicated via text throughout the day to monitor the child.
At around 3:25 p.m., the child’s grandmother picked him up from Adamo’s home and noticed he seemed unusually lethargic. The infant slept for approximately two more hours before his mother arrived. During this time, the grandmother observed that the child could not hold his head up and appeared abnormally drowsy.
Emergency Medical Response
After the child began vomiting abnormal, sticky, clear fluid, his mother rushed him to HCA Raulerson Medical Center in Okeechobee. As per the reports by WPBF, he was later transferred to HCA Lawnwood Medical Center in Fort Pierce and ultimately to Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami, where he was placed on life support.
Doctors initially suspected flu or pneumonia, but further testing revealed the presence of ethylene glycol, a chemical found in antifreeze. The child was later cleared for release from the hospital, though authorities say the extent of long-term injuries remains unknown.
Investigation and Evidence
Detectives investigated potential exposure to antifreeze from Adamo’s husband, who works at an auto parts store. Surveillance footage and interviews, however, cleared him of any involvement.
Law enforcement found two bottles of antifreeze in Adamo’s home – one unopened and one partially missing approximately 2 ½ cups. Investigators, consulting with experts including Dr. Bruce Goldberger of UCF, concluded the child had to have been poisoned within one to two hours of showing symptoms, leading them to assign blame to Adamo.
Past Allegations and Legal Background
Authorities note that Adamo was previously accused of poisoning a child in her care with antifreeze in 2014. At that time, no charges were filed. When questioned earlier this year, Adamo allegedly denied ever being suspected of harming a child.
Community Reaction
The alleged poisoning of a non-mobile 11-month-old infant has raised serious concern among residents in Okeechobee about child safety and trust in local caregivers. Authorities have urged parents to remain vigilant when entrusting children to babysitters or caregivers.
What are your thoughts on this alarming case? Do you think more stringent background checks should be required for babysitters and childcare providers? Share your opinions in the comments below — your voice matters.
