Topline: Authorities say Anna Adamo poisoned a baby boy in her care, prompting charges of attempted homicide.
Published: October 20, 2025 8:00 am ET
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Anna M. Adamo (via Okeechobee County Police Department)
OKEECHOBEE, FL — A Florida babysitter has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly poisoning an 11-month-old boy with antifreeze in her home.
Anna M. Adamo, 59, was arrested and charged with aggravated child abuse, attempted first-degree murder, and adulterating food or drink, the Okeechobee City Police Department said in a statement reported by Law & Crime.
The incident occurred on or around February 12. That day, the child’s grandmother picked him up from Adamo’s residence and noticed he appeared unusually tired and lethargic, WPBF reported.
The boy’s mother later took him to the emergency room after he began vomiting a clear, sticky liquid and was unable to hold his head upright, according to a probable cause affidavit cited by People.
Medical staff determined the infant was suffering from cardiac arrest and organ failure. Toxicology tests revealed the presence of ethylene glycol, a poisonous chemical found in antifreeze, in his system.
Ethylene glycol can cause severe harm when ingested, particularly in children. Once metabolized, it produces compounds that damage the brain, heart and kidneys. This often leads to vomiting, seizures, lethargy and organ failure. Untreated exposure to ethylene glycol may result in permanent injury or death.
The child survived after receiving emergency medical treatment, but the long-term effects of the poisoning have not been disclosed.
Investigators allege that Adamo intentionally poisoned the child by placing antifreeze in his bottle. The boy was described as healthy prior to the incident and was not yet able to crawl, walk or feed himself, police said.
According to the affidavit, Adamo initially denied any wrongdoing and told investigators she had no idea how the child became ill. However, police said her statements were inconsistent with medical findings and the timeline provided by the family.
The affidavit also stated that Adamo had access to antifreeze at her residence and that investigators found an open container of the substance during a search of her home. Authorities believe the poisoning was deliberate and premeditated.
Adamo was booked into the Okeechobee County Jail. No bond information was immediately available.
Authorities said the case was not Adamo’s first encounter with law enforcement regarding child welfare. WPBF reported that she had been the subject of a 2014 investigation involving another child in her care.
The case was referred to the State Attorney’s Office for prosecution. Adamo remains in custody pending further legal proceedings.
The boy’s family has not released a public statement, and officials have not disclosed whether child protective services are involved in the case.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Florida Babysitter Accused of Poisoning Infant With Antifreeze
Authorities say Anna Adamo poisoned a baby boy in her care, prompting charges of attempted homicide.
By Kate Byrd
Published: October 20, 2025 8:00 am ET
Anna M. Adamo (via Okeechobee County Police Department)
OKEECHOBEE, FL — A Florida babysitter has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly poisoning an 11-month-old boy with antifreeze in her home.
Anna M. Adamo, 59, was arrested and charged with aggravated child abuse, attempted first-degree murder, and adulterating food or drink, the Okeechobee City Police Department said in a statement reported by Law & Crime.
The incident occurred on or around February 12. That day, the child’s grandmother picked him up from Adamo’s residence and noticed he appeared unusually tired and lethargic, WPBF reported.
The boy’s mother later took him to the emergency room after he began vomiting a clear, sticky liquid and was unable to hold his head upright, according to a probable cause affidavit cited by People.
Medical staff determined the infant was suffering from cardiac arrest and organ failure. Toxicology tests revealed the presence of ethylene glycol, a poisonous chemical found in antifreeze, in his system.
Ethylene glycol can cause severe harm when ingested, particularly in children. Once metabolized, it produces compounds that damage the brain, heart and kidneys. This often leads to vomiting, seizures, lethargy and organ failure. Untreated exposure to ethylene glycol may result in permanent injury or death.
The child survived after receiving emergency medical treatment, but the long-term effects of the poisoning have not been disclosed.
Investigators allege that Adamo intentionally poisoned the child by placing antifreeze in his bottle. The boy was described as healthy prior to the incident and was not yet able to crawl, walk or feed himself, police said.
According to the affidavit, Adamo initially denied any wrongdoing and told investigators she had no idea how the child became ill. However, police said her statements were inconsistent with medical findings and the timeline provided by the family.
The affidavit also stated that Adamo had access to antifreeze at her residence and that investigators found an open container of the substance during a search of her home. Authorities believe the poisoning was deliberate and premeditated.
Adamo was booked into the Okeechobee County Jail. No bond information was immediately available.
Authorities said the case was not Adamo’s first encounter with law enforcement regarding child welfare. WPBF reported that she had been the subject of a 2014 investigation involving another child in her care.
The case was referred to the State Attorney’s Office for prosecution. Adamo remains in custody pending further legal proceedings.
The boy’s family has not released a public statement, and officials have not disclosed whether child protective services are involved in the case.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Florida Babysitter Accused of Poisoning Infant With Antifreeze
Authorities say Anna Adamo poisoned a baby boy in her care, prompting charges of attempted homicide.
By Kate Byrd
Published: October 20, 2025 8:00 am ET
Anna M. Adamo (via Okeechobee County Police Department)
OKEECHOBEE, FL — A Florida babysitter has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly poisoning an 11-month-old boy with antifreeze in her home.
Anna M. Adamo, 59, was arrested and charged with aggravated child abuse, attempted first-degree murder, and adulterating food or drink, the Okeechobee City Police Department said in a statement reported by Law & Crime.
The incident occurred on or around February 12. That day, the child’s grandmother picked him up from Adamo’s residence and noticed he appeared unusually tired and lethargic, WPBF reported.
The boy’s mother later took him to the emergency room after he began vomiting a clear, sticky liquid and was unable to hold his head upright, according to a probable cause affidavit cited by People.
Medical staff determined the infant was suffering from cardiac arrest and organ failure. Toxicology tests revealed the presence of ethylene glycol, a poisonous chemical found in antifreeze, in his system.
Ethylene glycol can cause severe harm when ingested, particularly in children. Once metabolized, it produces compounds that damage the brain, heart and kidneys. This often leads to vomiting, seizures, lethargy and organ failure. Untreated exposure to ethylene glycol may result in permanent injury or death.
The child survived after receiving emergency medical treatment, but the long-term effects of the poisoning have not been disclosed.
Investigators allege that Adamo intentionally poisoned the child by placing antifreeze in his bottle. The boy was described as healthy prior to the incident and was not yet able to crawl, walk or feed himself, police said.
According to the affidavit, Adamo initially denied any wrongdoing and told investigators she had no idea how the child became ill. However, police said her statements were inconsistent with medical findings and the timeline provided by the family.
The affidavit also stated that Adamo had access to antifreeze at her residence and that investigators found an open container of the substance during a search of her home. Authorities believe the poisoning was deliberate and premeditated.
Adamo was booked into the Okeechobee County Jail. No bond information was immediately available.
Authorities said the case was not Adamo’s first encounter with law enforcement regarding child welfare. WPBF reported that she had been the subject of a 2014 investigation involving another child in her care.
The case was referred to the State Attorney’s Office for prosecution. Adamo remains in custody pending further legal proceedings.
The boy’s family has not released a public statement, and officials have not disclosed whether child protective services are involved in the case.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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