FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Erin Maloney, Communications Director
Office of the State Attorney, 13th Judicial Circuit
(813) 557-3366 | Erin.Maloney@sao13th.com
TAMPA, FL (October 9, 2023) — Enrico Adams will spend the rest of his life in prison after a jury found him guilty in the gruesome beating death of his girlfriend’s 17-month-old child. Prosecutors successfully proved that Adams was the person responsible for killing the baby while the mother took her other children to the laundromat in December 2019. This was the second trial for Adams after a jury previously could not agree on a verdict last summer.
Jurors heard testimony from the baby’s mother, who found the child unresponsive in the crib after being left alone with Adams for a matter of hours. Video evidence showed the defendant outside of the apartment frustrated, and roughly handling the victim as he walked back into the home. Prior to the victim’s mother leaving to do laundry, the baby was acting and playing normally. Autopsy results showed the baby died of severe blunt force trauma.
Adams will be formally sentenced on October 25, 2023. He faces a mandatory life prison sentence on the first-degree murder charge.
“It is difficult to comprehend how anyone could harm a defenseless, innocent child. I am proud of our prosecution team for ensuring this monster will live the rest of his life in prison thinking about the life he viciously stole. My heart is with the victim’s mother and family as they process their unimaginable grief,” said State Attorney Suzy Lopez.
State Attorney Lopez leads a team of talented prosecutors and professional staff who are responsible for all criminal prosecutions in the 13th Judicial Circuit. The State Attorney’s Office is committed to keeping the public informed about the outcomes of major court cases to ensure transparency and accountability. We believe it is of utmost importance for the public to understand how our justice system operates in order to build trust. To learn more about the outcome of cases prosecuted in our office, you can follow us on social media:
- Twitter: @HillsboroughSAO, @SuzyLopezSA
- Instagram: @HillsboroughStateAttorney
- Facebook: @HillsboroughSAO
About the State Attorney’s Office
The State Attorney’s Office of the 13th Judicial circuit encompasses all of Hillsborough County, including the cities of Tampa, Temple Terrace, and Plant City. The office staff consists of approximately 320 dedicated public servants including 130 prosecutors, as well as investigators, victim advocates, and support staff. The office handles approximately 50,000 cases every year. To learn more about the organization or apply to become part of the team, visit www.sao13th.com.