A judge in Okeechobee hit the pause button Wednesday in the case of Anna Adamo, the local babysitter at the center of a high-profile antifreeze poisoning investigation. Adamo’s attorney asked that her personal appearance be waived, and the court bumped the case to a July docket call. She is facing attempted first-degree murder and related charges tied to an alleged Feb. 12, 2025, antifreeze poisoning that investigators say left an infant hospitalized and briefly in cardiac arrest.
Court hearing ends in continuance
According to WPBF, the quick hearing was supposed to help determine whether the case would head to trial or wrap up with a plea. Instead, it ended almost as soon as it started when the judge announced, "There’s a continuance," and no one in the courtroom objected. The outlet reports that with Adamo’s appearance formally waived, the case was rescheduled for a July docket call, giving both sides more time to maneuver.
What investigators say
Police say the baby was dropped off in healthy condition and later became lethargic, started vomiting, and needed emergency medical care. Testing at hospitals reportedly showed oxidized crystals in the infant’s urine consistent with ethylene glycol exposure, according to WPTV. Investigators also reported finding an open jug of antifreeze at Adamo’s home with about 2½ cups missing, and the child was transferred to a specialty hospital for critical care, as detailed by WSB-TV.
Past probe could resurface
Records reviewed by reporters show Adamo was previously named as a suspect in a 2014 investigation after a six-month-old in her care was hospitalized with similar symptoms. At the time, doctors suspected antifreeze poisoning, but detectives concluded there was not enough evidence to file charges, as reported by WPBF 25 News. That old case file could be argued in court under Florida’s Williams Rule if prosecutors try to show a pattern of behavior, although a judge would still have to decide whether the prior incident can be presented to a jury.
What’s next
Former Palm Beach County state attorney Dave Aronberg told WPTV that cases like this often evolve into "a battle of the experts," with toxicologists and medical specialists squaring off over timelines and test results. Those kinds of expert showdowns can drag out proceedings. For now, Adamo remains free on bond while prosecutors and the defense team prepare their expert witnesses and legal motions ahead of the July docket call.
