Amanda Brumfield

Amanda Brooke Brumfield (born July 28, 1979) is the oldest daughter of actor Billy Bob Thornton and Melissa Lee Gatlin, who was convicted of aggravated manslaughter for the October 2008 death of her 1-year-old goddaughter Olivia Madison Garcia in Ocoee, Florida. She is serving a 20-year prison sentence at the Lowell Correctional Institution. Only a year after her birth, Thornton and Gatlin separated, and Brumfield was raised by Gatlin. In regards to her relationship with her father, Brumfield stated to Inside Edition in 2001 that "He's pretty much made me feel like I've been shut out... I mean, I have nothing against him. I love him. He's my father. I just want him to be around. I don't want to cry, but it's not fair to watch him on TV every day, and I can't even get a call." Brumfield had stated that Olivia was straddling her playpen and fell 28 inches, but that Olivia had appeared fine after and ate bananas. Brumfield had called 911 after contacting her husband; in the 911 call she is administering CPR to Olivia and states that " not moving, not reacting to anything."
In 2011, Brumfield went on trial at the Orange County Courthouse. Brumfield is not scheduled for release from prison until 2031.<ref name="AmandaPrison"/>
Regarding his daughter's conviction and Olivia's death, Billy Bob Thornton released the following statement through his publicist: "Mr. Thornton is estranged from Amanda and has had no contact with her for quite some time, however when informed about this situation he commented that, 'Anytime a baby's life is lost is an unimaginable tragedy and my heart goes out to the baby's family and loved ones.'"<ref name="911call"/>

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu