Okeechobee, FL – A 59-year-old Florida woman has been arrested for allegedly poisoning an 11-month-old baby she was babysitting using antifreeze, leaving the infant moments from death, according to the Okeechobee City Police Department. The suspect, identified as Anna M. Adamo, faces charges of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse, and adulterating food or drink.
The Incident: Infant Nearly Dies After Antifreeze Exposure
The horrifying incident unfolded on or around February 12, 2024, at Adamo’s home in Okeechobee, a small town about 70 miles northwest of Palm Beach. Police said the victim, an 11-month-old boy, was unable to crawl, walk, or feed himself at the time and had been described by his parents as “healthy and active” before that day.
According to investigators, the boy’s grandmother picked him up from Adamo’s residence at approximately 3:25 p.m. and noticed he appeared unusually drowsy. After arriving home, the infant continued to sleep for several hours. When his mother arrived later to take him home, she too observed that the baby was lethargic and unable to hold his head up.
“He just wasn’t responding normally,” the grandmother told police, recalling that the child appeared lifeless and unwell.
Shortly after being moved from one car seat to another, the baby began to vomit a sticky, clear, foul-smelling substance, prompting his mother to rush him to the HCA Raulerson Medical Center in Okeechobee.
The infant’s condition rapidly deteriorated, leading doctors to transfer him first to HCA Lawnwood Medical Center in Fort Pierce and finally to Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami, where he was placed on life support.
Investigation and Medical Findings
Doctors initially suspected flu or pneumonia, but after a battery of tests came back negative, medical staff ordered additional screenings. During his stay in the ICU, the child suffered cardiac arrest but was revived after 10 minutes of CPR.
A breakthrough came when a physician tested the boy’s urine for oxidized crystals, which returned positive for ethylene glycol — a toxic chemical compound found in antifreeze. Additional testing ruled out any genetic or accidental cause, leading doctors to conclude that the baby had been deliberately poisoned.
Police later confirmed that the timeline of poisoning matched the period during which the baby was under Adamo’s exclusive care.
“Based on medical expert analysis, the child must have been poisoned within one to two hours of showing symptoms,” authorities said in a statement.
Court Proceedings and Criminal Charges
Following a months-long investigation, Adamo was arrested on October 3, 2025, in Lowndes County, Georgia, under a fugitive from justice warrant. She was later extradited to Florida, where she faces multiple felony charges, including attempted first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse, and adulterating food or drink.
The Okeechobee City Police Department stated that detectives recovered two bottles of antifreeze from Adamo’s residence—one unopened and another that was missing approximately 2½ cups of liquid.
Investigators also noted inconsistencies in Adamo’s statements. She initially claimed her husband, who works at an auto parts store, had not returned home for lunch that day. However, surveillance footage and his own testimony contradicted her account. Both Adamo and her husband denied that he had contact with the baby, insisting the child never entered the garage where antifreeze was stored.
Adamo also told detectives she fed the baby a one-ounce bottle of milk—a bottle the mother says she never provided. This inconsistency, coupled with the forensic timeline, led investigators to conclude that Adamo intentionally poisoned the infant.
Past Allegations and Police Findings
Police revealed that Adamo had previously been accused of poisoning a child in her care with antifreeze in 2014, but no charges were filed at that time due to insufficient evidence. When questioned earlier this year, Adamo allegedly denied ever being suspected of such behavior.
The police report cites toxicology input from Dr. Bruce Goldberger, a professor at the University of Central Florida, who confirmed that the poisoning must have occurred during the babysitting period. This finding proved pivotal in securing the warrant for Adamo’s arrest.
The infant has since been released from the hospital, though the extent of his long-term injuries remains unknown, according to police.
“The child has since been released from the hospital, though the extent of long-term injuries remains unknown,” police said in a statement.
Reactions and Community Shock
The case has left residents of Okeechobee stunned and fearful, particularly parents who had relied on local babysitters. Police have urged families to be cautious when choosing childcare providers and to report any signs of suspicious behavior immediately.
Local advocacy groups have called for stronger state oversight of unlicensed childcare arrangements, noting that repeat offenders like Adamo should have been flagged after the 2014 incident.
Neighbors described Adamo as “quiet” and “unassuming,” expressing disbelief over the allegations.
“It’s horrifying to think someone trusted with an infant could do something so evil,” one neighbor told local reporters.
Ongoing Developments and Next Steps
Adamo has since been released on bond pending trial. The Okeechobee City Police Department confirmed that the investigation remains active, with prosecutors reviewing additional evidence and digital communications from Adamo’s phone.
The State Attorney’s Office is expected to seek maximum sentencing due to the premeditated and deliberate nature of the act. Prosecutors have not ruled out adding further charges if new evidence emerges.
The infant’s family continues to request privacy as they focus on his recovery.
Conclusion
Authorities say the case underscores the dangers of unlicensed childcare and deliberate poisoning. As Adamo awaits trial, the community continues to grapple with the disturbing reality that a trusted caregiver allegedly tried to kill a defenseless 11-month-old.
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