GUILTY IL - Andrew Freund, 5, Crystal Lake, 17 April 2019 *ARRESTS* *mother guilty* #6

[HayLouise]

Andrew Freund

Missing Since - Apr 17, 2019

Missing From - Crystal Lake, IL

DOB - Oct 14, 2013

Age Now - 5

Sex - Male

Race - White

Hair Color - Blonde

Eye Color - Brown

Height - 3'5"

Weight - 65 lbs

Extra Photo

Both photos shown are of Andrew. He was last seen at his home on April 17, 2019. Andrew was last seen wearing a Blue Mario sweatshirt and black sweatpants.

Have you seen this child? ANDREW FREUND
Thread #1
Thread #2
Thread #3
Thread #4
Thread #5

 

[Niner]

Tuesday, Sept. 12th:
*Bench Trial continues for both (Day 2) (@ 9:30am CT) – IL – Andrew “AJ” Freund, Jr. (5) (reported missing April 17, 2018, Crystal Lake; found buried in shallow grave on April 24, 2019, near Woodstock) – *Carlos J. Acosta (54/now 57) arrested, charged & indicted (9/10/20) & arraigned (9/24/20) with 2 felony counts of endangering the life of a child & 1 felony count of reckless conduct. $20K bond (bonded out 9/10/20). Plead not guilty. Balance due: $2K bond.
*Andrew R. Polovin (48/now 51) arrested, charged & indicted (9/10/20) & arraigned (9/17/20) with 2 felony counts of endangering the life of a child & 1 felony count of reckless conduct. Plead not guilty. $20K bond. (bonded out 9/11/20).
Bench Trial began on 9/11/23. Continued on 9/12, 9/13, 9/14 & 9/15/23.
Case & Court info from 9/10/20 thru 7/27/23 reference post #988 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...l-2019-arrests-mother-guilty-5.441968/page-50
9/11/23 Monday, Bench Trial Day 1: Opening arguments by both sides.
State witnesses: Crystal Lake police officer Kimberly Shipbaugh. Dr. Joellen Channon, ER doctor who treated A.J. in Dec. 2018. A retired administrator from DCFS (no name given).
For more info see post #990 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...l-2019-arrests-mother-guilty-5.441968/page-50
Bench trial continues on 9/12/23.
*JoAnn D. Cunningham (35/38 when sentenced/now 40) – 12/5/19: Plead guilty. Sentenced on 7/17/20 to 35 years in prison. Post conviction petition hearing on 6/1/22. Post conviction petition denied/dismissed.
*Andrew T. Freund, Sr. (60/63 when sentenced/now 65) – 9/18/20: Plead guilty. Sentenced on 9/18/20 to 30 years in prison. Will help prosecutors with case against welfare workers. On Jan. 21, the ARDC announced Andrew T. Freund, licensed as an attorney since 1984, had been disbarred after being convicted last year of involuntary manslaughter, aggravated battery of a child & concealment of a homicidal death.

 

[Niner]

Found a better article - goes into more detail on yesterday trial.

Trial starts for DCFS workers who handled AJ Freund's case

A Crystal Lake police officer broke into tears Monday as she spoke of her disbelief when a specialist from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services allowed a bruised 5-year-old boy to leave the police station with his mother.

www.dailyherald.com

 

[Gardenista]

 

[Gardenista]

 

[JerseyGirl]

AJ Freund death, DCFS workers trial day 2

MCHENRY COUNTY, Ill. — The trial for two former Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) workers accused of child endangerment enters its second day Tuesday. The multiple felony charges fi…

wgntv.com

 

[Niner]

I did not get much out the above article & found this.

Trial continues for former DCFS Workers charged after AJ Freund's death

A rare scene is playing out this week in a McHenry County courtroom, as two former DCFS workers are on trial following the death of 5-year-old AJ Freund.

www.nbcchicago.com

Sept. 12, 2023

A rare scene is playing out this week in a McHenry County courtroom, as two former DCFS workers are on trial following the death of 5-year-old AJ Freund.


The former workers are being charged with two felony counts each of of endangering the life of a child and reckless conduct in connection with Freund's 2019 death.


Carlos Acosta and his supervisor, Andrew Polovin sat quietly as their lawyers argued about what regulations were in effect at the time of AJ's death. He was killed by his mother, four months after she had a disturbing encounter with a Crystal Lake police officer.
[.....]
The officer told Lake County Judge George Strickland, who is presiding over this trial after other judges in McHenry County recused themselves, that she expressed concern about him being turned back over to his mother’s custody. She said she asked others in her department if the child could remain in protective custody.
[.....]
The trial of Acosta and Polovin is expected to continue through Friday.



Well that one didn't tell me who the witnesses were....

will try & find another one...

 

[Niner]

AJ Freund case: Testimony continues in trial of 2 former DCFS workers

The bench trial for two former DCFS caseworkers charged in connection with the murder of A.J. Freund case continued on Tuesday.

abc7chicago.com

Sept. 13, 2023
WOODSTOCK, Ill. (WLS) -- The bench trial for two former DCFS caseworkers charged in connection with the murder of a 5-year-old boy in McHenry County continued on Tuesday.
[.....]
Retired supervisor Caruso Eco testified on Tuesday that the two former employees violated policy in their handling of A.J.'s case.
[.....]
Activist Tracy Kotzman has attended every court hearing and organized community support to remember A.J.
[.....]
The trial is expected to last one week.



Sort of better...

 

[Niner]

Wednesday, Sept. 13th:
*Bench Trial continues for both (Day 3) (@ 9:30am CT) – IL – Andrew “AJ” Freund, Jr. (5) (reported missing April 17, 2018, Crystal Lake; found buried in shallow grave on April 24, 2019, near Woodstock) – *Carlos J. Acosta (54/now 57) arrested, charged & indicted (9/10/20) & arraigned (9/24/20) with 2 felony counts of endangering the life of a child & 1 felony count of reckless conduct. $20K bond (bonded out 9/10/20). Plead not guilty. Balance due: $2K bond.
*Andrew R. Polovin (48/now 51) arrested, charged & indicted (9/10/20) & arraigned (9/17/20) with 2 felony counts of endangering the life of a child & 1 felony count of reckless conduct. Plead not guilty. $20K bond. (bonded out 9/11/20).
Bench Trial began on 9/11/23. Continued on 9/12, 9/13, 9/14 & 9/15/23.
Judge: Lake County Judge George Strickland.
Prosecutor McHenry County State's Attorney Patrick Kenneally.
Defense attorneys: Acosta's attorney Jamie Wombacher & Polovin's attorney Matthew McQuaid.
Case & Court info from 9/10/20 thru 7/27/23 & Trial Day 1 (9/11/23) reference post #2 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...17-april-2019-arrests-mother-guilty-6.690367/
9/12/23 Tuesday, Bench Trial Day 2: Shortly after convening at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, the courtroom went into a recess so the state’s attorney & defense attorneys could sort out an issue regarding distributed documents. They then returned at 10:50 a.m. before going back into recess until 1:30 p.m.
State witnesses: Retired supervisor Caruso Eco. Tracy Kotzman organized community support to remember A.J.
For more info see posts #6 to 8 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...17-april-2019-arrests-mother-guilty-6.690367/
Bench trial continues on Wednesday, 9/13/23.

 

[Niner]

Could not find any articles for yesterday's trial hearing. But this one says....

Contentious day in trial of ex-DCFS workers involved in AJ. Freund's case

"He doesn't explore anything with the child. It's very, in my opinion, superficial. He's not utilizing any of his clinical skills or investigative skills."

www.cbsnews.com

Sept. 12, 2023
.....
Carol Ruzicka, a former DCFS supervisor dubbed an expert on department protocol, was questioned on various procedures.
[.....]
The cross-examination of the former DCFS supervisor is expected to continue Wednesday morning. Both Acosta and Polovin have pleaded not guilty to the charges.


and another article on Ruzicka's testimony

Retired DCFS administrator testifies on second day of trial for 2 former DCFS workers involved with AJ Freund

A retired DCFS administrator testified the entire second day of the trial of two DCFS workers accused of mishandling the AJ Freund investigations and said that the former workers failed to do their jobs.

www.lakemchenryscanner.com

and here is one for yesterday, 9/13

AJ Freund murder: Testimony to continue for 3rd day in trial of former Illinois DCFS workers Carlos Acosta, Andrew Polovin - USA TOPNews.MEDIA

ByABC7 Chicago Digital Team Wednesday, September 13, 2023 11:33AMWOODSTOCK, Ill. (WLS) -- The trial for two former caseworkers involved in the A.J. Freund 2023, 3rd, a.j. freund, about, acosta,, aj freund, aj freund case, aj freund cause of death, aj freund dcfs, aj freund death, aj freund...

usa2.topnews.media

Sept. 13, 2023:
WOODSTOCK, Ill. (WLS) — The trial for two former caseworkers involved in the A.J. Freund case will continue Wednesday.


Sorry - that one didn't have much on who the witnesses were - that's all I could find....

 

[Niner]

Thursday, Sept. 14th:
*Bench Trial continues for both (Day 4) (@ 9:30am CT) – IL – Andrew “AJ” Freund, Jr. (5) (reported missing April 17, 2018, Crystal Lake; found buried in shallow grave on April 24, 2019, near Woodstock) – *Carlos J. Acosta (54/now 57) arrested, charged & indicted (9/10/20) & arraigned (9/24/20) with 2 felony counts of endangering the life of a child & 1 felony count of reckless conduct. $20K bond (bonded out 9/10/20). Plead not guilty. Balance due: $2K bond.
*Andrew R. Polovin (48/now 51) arrested, charged & indicted (9/10/20) & arraigned (9/17/20) with 2 felony counts of endangering the life of a child & 1 felony count of reckless conduct. Plead not guilty. $20K bond. (bonded out 9/11/20).
Bench Trial began on 9/11/23. Continued on 9/12, 9/13, 9/14 & 9/15/23.
Judge: Lake County Judge George Strickland.
Prosecutor McHenry County State's Attorney Patrick Kenneally.
Defense attorneys: Acosta's attorney Jamie Wombacher & Polovin's attorney Matthew McQuaid.
Case & Court info from 9/10/20 thru 7/27/23 & Trial Day 1-2 (9/11-9/12/23) reference post #9 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...17-april-2019-arrests-mother-guilty-6.690367/
9/13/23 Wednesday, Bench Trial Day 3: State witness: Carol Ruzicka, retired Illinois Department of Children and Family Services administrator, dubbed an expert on department protocol, was questioned on various procedures. Was on stand Tuesday, continuing testimony.
For more info see post #10 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...17-april-2019-arrests-mother-guilty-6.690367/
Bench trial continues on Thursday, 9/14/23.

 

[JerseyGirl]

Trial day 4 of two former DCFS workers in connection with the 2019 death of 5-year-old AJ Freund

MCHENRY COUNTY, Ill. — The trial for two former Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) workers accused of child endangerment enters its fourth day Thursday. The multiple felony char…

wgntv.com

 

[Niner]

Friday, Sept. 15th:
*Bench Trial continues for both (Day 5) (@ 9:30am CT) – IL – Andrew “AJ” Freund, Jr. (5) (reported missing April 17, 2018, Crystal Lake; found buried in shallow grave on April 24, 2019, near Woodstock) – *Carlos J. Acosta (54/now 57) arrested, charged & indicted (9/10/20) & arraigned (9/24/20) with 2 felony counts of endangering the life of a child & 1 felony count of reckless conduct. $20K bond (bonded out 9/10/20). Plead not guilty. Balance due: $2K bond.
*Andrew R. Polovin (48/now 51) arrested, charged & indicted (9/10/20) & arraigned (9/17/20) with 2 felony counts of endangering the life of a child & 1 felony count of reckless conduct. Plead not guilty. $20K bond. (bonded out 9/11/20).
Bench Trial began on 9/11/23. Continued on 9/12, 9/13, 9/14 & 9/15/23. Prosecutors rested their case on 9/14/23.
Lake County Judge George Strickland.
Prosecutor McHenry County State's Attorney Patrick Kenneally.
Defense attorneys: Acosta's attorney Jamie Wombacher & Polovin's attorney Matthew McQuaid.
Case & Court info from 9/10/20 thru 7/27/23 & Trial Day 1-3 (9/11-9/13/23) reference post #11 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...17-april-2019-arrests-mother-guilty-6.690367/
9/14/23 Thursday, Bench Trial Day 4: State witnesses: Crystal Lake Police Dept. patrol sergeant David Eitel. Several others were also called to the stand, including attorneys with decades of experience in child abuse & neglect cases, a relative who fostered AJ as an infant, a doctor, and former prosecutor with the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office. Expert witness Pamela Wells, a staff attorney with the Illinois Office of the State’s Attorney Appellate Prosecutor.
Late Thursday afternoon the prosecution rested its case in the joint trial after calling several more witnesses & experts to the stand to testify.
For more info see post #12 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...17-april-2019-arrests-mother-guilty-6.690367/
Bench trial continues on Friday, 9/15/23.

 

[Niner]

Docket update for both:

Future Court Events
Date Time Room Event Type Judge
09/15/2023 9:30 AM 204 TRIAL - BENCH STRICKLAND


Previous Court Events
Date Room Event Type/Result Result Judge
09/14/2023 204 MOTION - DEFENDANT FOR DIRECTED VERDICT DENIED COSTELLO

09/14/2023 204 TRIAL - BENCH TRIAL - STARTED/CONTINUED STRICKLAND

link: 2020CF000703 - Public Case Access

 

[shotgun09]

The defense team rested it's case today. They called no witnesses.
Closing arguments to be heard in October?

Per WGN news clip today:

 

[Niner]

Here's an article I found.

Defense rests in trial of ex-DCFS workers charged in A.J. Freund's death

Former Illinois Department of Children and Family Services employees Carlos Acosta and Andrew Polovin both chose not to testify in their own defense.

www.cbsnews.com

Sept. 16, 2023

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Testimony has wrapped up in the trial of two former child welfare workers charged in connection with the death of 5-year-old A.J. Freund.

Former Illinois Department of Children and Family Services employees Carlos Acosta and Andrew Polovin both chose not to testify in their own defense, leading to defense attorneys resting their case on Friday without calling any witnesses.

The judge handling the bench trial said he would like to have closing arguments sometime during the first two weeks of October. Since it is a bench trial, it will be a judge instead of a jury determining the verdict.
[.....]
Both sides are due back in court on Tuesday [9/19/23] to discuss scheduling of closing arguments. It's unclear how soon the judge could rule after hearing closing arguments.

 

[Niner]

for both=
Documents
Filed Type Description
09/15/2023 STI STIPULATION


Future Court Events
Date Time Room Event Type Judge
09/19/2023 9:00 AM 365 TRIAL - BENCH STRICKLAND

Previous Court Events
Date Room Event Type/Result Result Judge
09/15/2023 204 TRIAL - BENCH TRIAL - STARTED/CONTINUED STRICKLAND


link: 2020CF000703 - Public Case Access

 

[Niner]

I am not counting this as a trial date - as it will only be the attorneys.

Tuesday, Sept. 19th:
*Bench Trial continues for both (to discuss scheduling of closing) (@ 9am CT) – IL – Andrew “AJ” Freund, Jr. (5) (reported missing April 17, 2018, Crystal Lake; found buried in shallow grave on April 24, 2019, near Woodstock) – *Carlos J. Acosta (54/now 57) arrested, charged & indicted (9/10/20) & arraigned (9/24/20) with 2 felony counts of endangering the life of a child & 1 felony count of reckless conduct. $20K bond (bonded out 9/10/20). Plead not guilty. Balance due: $2K bond.
*Andrew R. Polovin (48/now 51) arrested, charged & indicted (9/10/20) & arraigned (9/17/20) with 2 felony counts of endangering the life of a child & 1 felony count of reckless conduct. Plead not guilty. $20K bond. (bonded out 9/11/20).
Bench Trial began on 9/11/23. Continued on 9/12, 9/13, 9/14, 9/15 & 9/18/23. Prosecutors rested their case on 9/14/23. Defense began their case on 9/15/23 & ended on 9/15/23 without calling any witnesses.
Lake County Judge George Strickland.
Prosecutor McHenry County State's Attorney Patrick Kenneally.
Defense attorneys: Acosta's attorney Jamie Wombacher & Polovin's attorney Matthew McQuaid.
Case & Court info from 9/10/20 thru 7/27/23 & Trial Day 1-4 (9/11-9/14/23) reference post #13 here:https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...17-april-2019-arrests-mother-guilty-6.690367/
9/14/23 Additional info: Defendant motions for directed verdict denied by Judge Costello.
9/15/23 Friday, Bench Trial Day 5: Acosta & Polovin both chose not to testify in their own defense, leading to defense attorneys resting their case on Friday without calling any witnesses.
The judge handling the bench trial said he would like to have closing arguments sometime during the first two weeks of October. Since it is a bench trial, it will be a judge instead of a jury determining the verdict. Both sides are due back in court on Tuesday, 9/19/23 to discuss scheduling of closing arguments. It is unclear how soon the judge could rule after hearing closing arguments.
For more info see posts #15 & 16 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...17-april-2019-arrests-mother-guilty-6.690367/

 

[Niner]

for Both - date for closing arguments.

Future Court Events

Date Time Room Event Type Judge
10/13/2023 9:30 AM 365 TRIAL - BENCH STRICKLAND

link: Welcome - Public Case Access

 

[Niner]

Docket update:

Acosta:

Filed Type Description
10/06/2023 NOTF NOTICE - FILING
10/06/2023 RES RESPONSE

09/29/2023 EXHSAC EXHIBITS - STANDALONE
09/29/2023 EXHSAC EXHIBITS - STANDALONE
09/29/2023 NOTF NOTICE - FILING

09/26/2023 CERMC CERTIFICATE - MAILING BY CLERK

09/25/2023 ORD ORDER


Polovin:

Filed Type Description
09/29/2023 EXHSAC EXHIBITS - STANDALONE
09/29/2023 NOTF NOTICE - FILING

09/26/2023 CERMC CERTIFICATE - MAILING BY CLERK

09/25/2023 ORD ORDER


Both:

Future Court Events
Date Time Room Event Type Judge
10/13/2023 9:30 AM 204 TRIAL - BENCH STRICKLAND

link: 2020CF000703 - Public Case Access