Found Deceased IL - Andrew Freund, 5, Crystal Lake, 17 April 2019 *Arrests* - #3

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DCFS to care for AJ Freund's younger brother; prosecutors attempt to revoke parental rights
By KATIE SMITHE
4:06 pm

The Crystal Lake parents accused of killing 5-year-old AJ Freund have agreed to have the Illinois Department of Child and Family Services care for their younger son, while prosecutors attempt to revoke the former couple's parental rights.

Prosecutors also filed a petition seeking more permanent measures to terminate 60-year-old Freund and 36-year-old Cunningham's parental rights. If the parents are proven unfit, the child could be placed in another person's custody long-term. For now, neither Cunningham nor Freund is allowed to have contact with the boy, whom an attorney will represent in court.

In the meantime, a volunteer from the non-profit organization, Court Appointed Special Advocates, will be assigned to meet with AJ's younger brother and other people close to the situation on an ongoing basis. The court advocacy group will then write an objective report about the child's well being, CASA Senior Advocate Manager Jorie Siemens said.

DCFS to care for AJ Freund's younger brother; prosecutors attempt to revoke parental rights | Northwest Herald
 
Cunningham kept her head down as Correctional Emergency Response Team officers in bulletproof vests escorted her into the courtroom. The former hairdresser told the judge she had no bank accounts and her house was in foreclosure. Attorneys from the McHenry County Public Defender's Office will represent Cunningham throughout both the criminal and juvenile proceedings. Although Cunningham previously hired private attorneys at KRV Legal to represent her, the law firm has since withdrawn from the civil matter.

Freund was expressionless and in shackles as he went before the felony judge. He is making arrangements to hire his own attorney in the criminal case by his next court date on May 3, and both parents are due in felony court May 10. A public defender will represent Freund on all juvenile matters.

DCFS to care for AJ Freund's younger brother; prosecutors attempt to revoke parental rights | Northwest Herald
 
Trudie said:
Once the feds classified addiction as a disease, things got worse. People can believe or feel what they like as to whether it is a disease. The brain becomes diseased, due to drug abuse...yes. But, in most cases the user chose to use.
I’m sorry, I’ve been hardened, seen too much & have no empathy, because help is available. Nothing in life is easy, but I’m sick of addicts destroying lives just so they can get a five minute rush. I have a real problem with JC/Sr having drugs but living in filth, little food, no utilities, etc.
their habits were only going to increase, day by day...then what?
FYI: look at Tippy’s timeline, you’ll notice around the 12-13 of several months, trouble came a knocking. That tells me the first two weeks of the month they had drugs & things were cohesive. Once the middle of the month rolled around, the LE calls started.
Click to expand...

Even worse, when Addiction is considered a "disability". Not the addiction per se, but the subsequent GAF (General Assessment of Functioning Scale), of less than 45, or other disabilities due to the results of addiction.

It just made me angry to fill out Social Security benefits forms for addicts, housing vouchers, on and on case management for people who still were using drugs. Which is why I quit Substance Abuse Counseling.
 
Henry2326 said:
Cunningham kept her head down as Correctional Emergency Response Team officers in bulletproof vests escorted her into the courtroom. The former hairdresser told the judge she had no bank accounts and her house was in foreclosure. Attorneys from the McHenry County Public Defender's Office will represent Cunningham throughout both the criminal and juvenile proceedings. Although Cunningham previously hired private attorneys at KRV Legal to represent her, the law firm has since withdrawn from the civil matter.

Freund was expressionless and in shackles as he went before the felony judge. He is making arrangements to hire his own attorney in the criminal case by his next court date on May 3, and both parents are due in felony court May 10. A public defender will represent Freund on all juvenile matters.

DCFS to care for AJ Freund's younger brother; prosecutors attempt to revoke parental rights | Northwest Herald
Click to expand...


Well, they are a day late and a dollar short (as,we say in the south) ....filing for custody!!!!
 
mickey2942 said:
Even worse, when Addiction is considered a "disability". Not the addiction per se, but the subsequent GAF (General Assessment of Functioning Scale), of less than 45, or other disabilities due to the results of addiction.

It just made me angry to fill out Social Security benefits forms for addicts, housing vouchers, on and on case management for people who still were using drugs. Which is why I quit Substance Abuse Counseling.
Click to expand...

Me, too!!! Its like living with constant PTSD.
 
AJ - Updated Timeline:

2012
  • AF was JC's divorce attorney
June 7, 2012 - Thursday
  • DCFS received a hotline call alleging inadequate supervision. The allegations were that JC is abusing prescription drugs and neglecting her foster child. The report was unfounded and expunged
December 24, 2012 - Wednesday
  • DCFS hotline received a call alleging environmental neglect and injurious environment as to her oldest son. The report alleged JC is abusing prescription drugs and has mental health issues. The report was unfounded and expunged
2013-2018
  • Crystal Lake police said officers have been called to the home 17 times since the child was born five years ago. The Crystal Lake Police Department released reports detailing what they call "unacceptable" living conditions along with alleged drug abuse and concerns the Department of Children and Family Services had for the children's welfare. DCFS last had contact with the family in December of last year
January 17, 2013 - Thursday
  • JC involved in a legal dispute with her mother, involving JC’s eldest son. JC’s mother filed an order of protection petition accusing JC and AF of forcing JC’s eldest son to live in “constant fear, hunger and filth,” as well as denying him medical care, food, clean clothing and a healthy living environment. (Closed 10/21/13)
June 13, 2013 - Thursday
  • JC was charged with retail theft, took another plea and received more supervision and fines
  • AF was charged with retail theft, and received one year supervision and drug and alcohol treatment
June 26, 2013 - Wednesday
  • JC battery charge - She negotiated a plea deal, paid a fine and got six months supervision, anger counseling and drug addiction treatment
October 14, 2013 - Monday
  • AJ was born
October 16, 2013 - Wednesday
  • DCFS received a hotline report alleging substance misuse by neglect, afterJC gave birth to AJ on 10/14/13. AJ and JC tested positive for opiates and benzodiazepines. The report was indicated for Substance Misuse. AJ was removed from his mother’s care during the investigation
November 2013
  • DCFS took AJ into protective custody. He was placed into foster home
May 30, 2014 - Friday
  • JC - OFP (Closed 6/10/14)
October 13, 2015 - Tuesday
  • AF, who was licensed in 1984, was suspended for two years and until further order of the Court, with the suspension stayed after ninety days by a two-year period of conditional probation. While representing his client in a dissolution of marriage case, AF was convicted of indirect criminal contempt after the judge found that he had violated court orders. Also, he appeared in court on behalf of a client after he had been removed from the Master Roll of Attorneys due to his failure to register or complete his mandatory continuing legal education requirements. The suspension is effective on October 13, 2015
June 2015
  • AJ was returned home from foster care
October 13, 2015 -Tuesday
  • JC - Ordinance Violation, Animal Control
April 2016
  • DCFS closed AJ’s Protective Custody Case
October 31, 2017 - Tuesday
  • A neighbor who lives across the street from the Freunds’ house, she said, she first met the family when the boy and his mom came to her door on Halloween in 2017. AJ had bandages on his face and arm. She thought he was dressed as a mummy, but his mother said he had grabbed a pot of boiling water that day, was burned and went to the hospital for treatment
December 12, 2017 - Tuesday
  • JC physical altercation at another residence with a female about a set of keys
January 17, 2018 - Wednesday
  • Report of not paying hotel bill. CLPD went to JC and AJ residence, subject looked out window and didn’t anwer the door
February 14, 2018 - Wednesday
  • DN left the Dole residence
February 16, 2018 - Friday
  • JC reported DN missing to CLPD and stated he possibly took the train to Chicago, but hasn’t been able to get in contact with him since he left
February 19, 2018 - Monday
  • DN was located at a facility of some sort. CLPD closed his missing person report
March 21, 2018 - Wednesday
  • Police found JC asleep in her car, her arms, neck and feet covered in “fresh track marks” from needles. The mother was brought to the emergency room after being found unresponsive in a car. AJ was observed at the hospital to have odd bruising on his face. A hospital social worker called the DCFS hotline to report that AJ had “odd bruising on his face”. Both AJ and his younger brother, now 4, were wearing clothes that were inside out. DCFS reported that alleged substantial risk of physical injury/injurious environment and environment neglect against the mother and father. The report alleged that the DCFS investigator contacted the parents in unsuccessful attempt to see the children on 03/21/18, 3/29/18 and 4/9/18.
March 29, 2018 - Thursday
  • DCFS investigator contacted the parents in unsuccessful attempt to see the children
March 2018
  • DCFS investigated allegations of neglect by JC and AF, but concluded they were unfounded. The mother agreed to re-enter treatment
April 9, 2018 - Monday
  • DCFS investigator contacted the parents in unsuccessful attempt to see the children
April 18, 2018 - Wednesday
  • JC - Traffic Violation
April 25, 2018 - Wednesday
  • DCFS investigator met with JC, AJ and his younger brother. JC was interviewed while the boys played outside in the driveway of the home. DCFS investigator observed the boys to be clean and did not find signs of maltreatment
July 20, 2018 - Friday
  • Mortgage Foreclosure Opened
August 5, 2018 - Sunday
  • JC reported she lost a backpack the night before and has no recollection of what happened the night before or how she got to bed. The backpack was found today, but the medication inside of the backpack was missing. When the officer arrived it was noted that both the male and female appeared to be on some sort of narcotic medication. JC stated the medication strip is free for her, but it’s sold on the street illegally for $900. A report needs to be made and given to the Dr in order to receive another prescription
September 4, 2018 - Tuesday
  • Report of dog at large
September 5, 2018 - Wednesday
  • Report of dog at large
September 20, 2018 - Thursday
  • Report of no power and bad living conditions at the home. CLPD did well being check and made contact with JC and was denied access to the home. JC confirmed there was no power and could not say for sure how long they had been without power. JC was holding one child and the child appeared to be happy and healthy, when asked to see the other child JC said he was sleeping. CLPD told JC they would be contacting DCFS. She said she understood and said they were there one month ago. CLPD contacted DCFS and they stated a home without power does not warrant a a DCFS investigation.
December 18, 2018 - Tuesday
  • From scanner (police communications) -JC claims an android cell phone and 2 prescription pill bottles (Adderall for ADHD and Suboxin for treatment of opioid addiction and dependence)were stolen in an alleged burglary from her home.
  • ER Physician examined AJ and could not state how his injury was caused. The doctor reported injury could have been caused by a dog, belt or a football. The doctor was concerned because AJ stated that "maybe someone hit me with a belt. Maybe mommy didn't mean to hurt me." DCFS investigator contacted the father to pick the children up from hospital until the home environment can be assessed. The father was asked to remain in the home as a safety precaution.
  • DCFS investigated another allegation of abuse and neglect by JC. AJ was temporarily removed by police, but he was returned to the home after the allegations were ruled unfounded. There was no evidence to support allegations of deplorable conditions in the home, and bruising on AJ was attributed to the dog. Another officer at the same call noted in her report that upstairs where the boys sleep a window was open and there was an overwhelming smell of feces. That same officer noticed that one of the boys, who was only wearing a pull-up diaper, had a large bruise on his hip.
December 19, 2018 - Wednesday
  • Woodstock police arrested DN, after he allegedly kicked and hit two nurses and a security guard at Northwestern Medical Hospital. DN 36 yr old, is also reported to have lived at the home some time within the past year
December 21, 2018 - Friday
  • JC - Traffic Violation
February 8, 2019 - Friday
  • JC - Ordinance Violation, Animal Control (closed 5/8/19)
April 4, 2019 - Thursday
  • Neighbors said the family was supposed to be out of the home by April 4
April 13, 2019 - Saturday
  • JC and AJ’s younger brother on FB live at motel swimming
April 15, 2019 - Monday
  • Parents forced AJ into a shower and/or struck him, leading to his death
April 17, 2019 - Wednesday
  • Last seen in bed at 9:30 pm
April 18, 2019 - Thursday
  • AF went to doctor appointment and returned home @ 8:30am
  • AJ reported missing by 911 call made by AF
  • JC’s attorney said JC had been questioned by police on Thursday
  • JC was arrested at the LCPD on an arrest warrant for failure to appear on driving with a suspended DL. JC was released after paying the required $300 bond
April 19, 2019 - Friday
  • Late Friday afternoon, a team of police in about seven vehicles pulled up to the house and went inside with a search warrant
  • Illinois Department of Children and Family Services said it has had contact with the family of the boy, AJ since he was born in 2013 with opiates in his system. DCFS continued having contact off and on until late 2018
  • A younger son was placed into DCFS custody
  • Police said, “In reviewing all investigative information thus far, there is no indication that would lead police to believe that an abduction had taken place.” They also said: “Information obtained currently has police focusing on the residence”
  • Canine teams that were used during the investigation “only picked up AJ’s scent within the residence indicating that Andrew had not walked away on foot”
April 23, 2019 - Tuesday
  • JC - Court 8:30am driving with a suspended DL
  • Shelter Hearing for AJ’s younger brother
April 24, 2019 - Wednesday
  • Information was obtained from forensic analysis of cell phone data. Once presented with the evidence obtained by investigators, both JC and AF provided information that ultimately led to recovery," said Crystal Lake Police Chief JB
  • Overnight police and FBI interviewed both JC and AF after information was obtained through a forensic analysis of cell phone data. Once presented with the information, the parents provided information about the location of the boy's body
  • AJ’s body was found 7 miles from home - buried in shallow grave and wrapped in plastic
  • Police were seen removing items from boy's home in Crystal Lake, including a small mattress, shovel caked with dirt, plastic storage totes and bags
  • Family dog “Lucy” was removed from home by Animal Control.
  • JC - Charged
    • 5 counts of first degree murder
    • 4 counts aggravated battery
    • 2 counts of aggravated domestic battery
    • 1 count of failure to report a missing or child death
  • AF Sr. - Charged
    • 5 counts of first degree murder
    • 2 counts aggravated battery
    • 1 counts of aggravated domestic battery
    • 2 counts of concealment of homicidal death
    • 1 count of failure to report a missing or child death
  • Police allege AJ was forced into a cold shower for an extended period of time and struck before he died
  • Two vigils held
April 25, 2019 - Thursday
  • COURT - Bond Hearing - 8 am (JC and AF)
    • Bond was set at $5 million each. They will each have to pay $500,000 to get out of jail
  • Autopsy to determine COD will be preformed
    • Cause of death determined as "craniocerebral trauma as a consequence of multiple blunt force injuries." According to the Coroner AJ suffered skull and brain trauma as a result of multiple blunt force injuries
April 27, 2019 - Saturday
  • Vigil - 6:30 pm at Lippold Park
April 29, 2019 - Monday
  • COURT - Arraignment - 9:00 am (JC and AF) status hearing to set court date for Preliminary Hearing
    • Neither party made a plea today, hearing will resume on May 10th
    • JC has a public defender and AF wants to find his own attorney
  • COURT - Custody Hearing - (AJ’s 4yr old brother, currently in the custody of family
    • No Contact order for AF Sr. and JC to see child
    • JC and AF agreed to have the Illinois Department of Child and Family Services care for their younger son, while prosecutors attempt to revoke the former couple's parental rights.
    • McHenry County State's Attorney's Office also filed a petition seeking to terminate AF and JC's parental rights.
May 3, 2019 - Friday
  • Visitation for AJ will be held 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Davenport Family Funeral Home in Crystal Lake.
  • COURT - Status Attorney 9:00 am (AF)
May 10, 2019 - Friday
  • COURT - Preliminary Hearing - 9:00 am (JC and AF) both are expected to enter a plea
May 30, 2019 - Thursday
  • COURT - Custody Hearing - 10:00 am (AJ’s 4yr old brother)
 
AJ Case - Court Dates:

April 24, 2019 - Wednesday
  • JC - Charged
    • 5 counts of first degree murder
    • 4 counts aggravated battery
    • 2 counts of aggravated domestic battery
    • 1 count of failure to report a missing or child death
  • AF Sr. - Charged
    • 5 counts of first degree murder
    • 2 counts aggravated battery
    • 1 counts of aggravated domestic battery
    • 2 counts of concealment of homicidal death
    • 1 count of failure to report a missing or child death
April 25, 2019 - Thursday
  • COURT - Bond Hearing - 8 am (JC and AF)
    • Bond was set at $5 million each. They will each have to pay $500,000 to get out of jail
April 29, 2019 - Monday
  • COURT - Arraignment - 9:00 am (JC and AF) status hearing to set court date for Preliminary Hearing
    • Neither party made a plea today, hearing will resume on May 10th
    • JC has a public defender and AF wants to find his own attorney
    • petition seeking to terminate AF and JC's parental rights.
  • COURT - Custody Hearing - (AJ’s 4yr old brother, currently in the custody of family)
    • No Contact order for AF Sr. and JC to see child
    • JC and AF agreed to have the Illinois Department of Child and Family Services care for their younger son, while prosecutors attempt to revoke the former couple's parental rights.
    • McHenry County State's Attorney's Office also filed a petition seeking to terminate AF and JC's parental rights
May 3, 2019 - Friday
  • COURT - Status Attorney 9:00 am (AF)
May 10, 2019 - Friday
  • COURT - Preliminary Hearing - 9:00 am (JC and AF) both are expected to enter a plea
May 30, 2019 - Thursday
  • COURT - Custody Hearing - 10:00 am (AJ’s 4yr old brother)
 
AJ - Links and Info:

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

Case information website: Public Case Access - McHenry County
IL General Assembly definitions for counts: Illinois General Assembly Home Page
AF Court Documents: Andrew Freund Criminal Complaint
JC Court Documents: JoAnn Cunningham Criminal Complaint
McHenry Co Sheriff Dept inmate search: McHenry County Sheriff
JoAnn Cunningham
Andrew Freund
ARDC: Disciplinary Reports and Decisions Search
Link to police reports prior to AJ being reported missing: https://www.crystallake.org/home/showdocument?id=17706

A.J. Freund DCFS Timeline | Child Protective Services | Child Custody
Tia A. Ewing on Twitter: Tia A. Ewing (@TIA_EWING) | Twitter
 
Trudie said:
Here, they appear by cctv from cell, if possible, lol. No field trips. I’m not opposed to outings, it gives the perp an up close glimpse to how hated he/she is with bystanders yelling profanities at them.
Click to expand...

I can agree with outings where they are hated and get to see it and even seeing the great outdoors through windows and realizing they will never be free in it again :) Yet being stuck inside with never seeing either works for me as well and provides little chance for escape or attention (for those types that want that).

The CCTV I go both ways on--they truly should have to face the media, family, etc. right in the courtroom imo. I do see that it can save on costs, guards, may be safer, etc.
 
Henry2326 said:
Cunningham kept her head down as Correctional Emergency Response Team officers in bulletproof vests escorted her into the courtroom. The former hairdresser told the judge she had no bank accounts and her house was in foreclosure. Attorneys from the McHenry County Public Defender's Office will represent Cunningham throughout both the criminal and juvenile proceedings. Although Cunningham previously hired private attorneys at KRV Legal to represent her, the law firm has since withdrawn from the civil matter.

Freund was expressionless and in shackles as he went before the felony judge. He is making arrangements to hire his own attorney in the criminal case by his next court date on May 3, and both parents are due in felony court May 10. A public defender will represent Freund on all juvenile matters.

DCFS to care for AJ Freund's younger brother; prosecutors attempt to revoke parental rights | Northwest Herald
Click to expand...
I bet Dads going to throw mom under the bus and vice versa. Why was he in shackles but not JC? is it because of that stupid law not shackling pregnant women? pregnant or not they should have on shackles to feel the severity and humiliation of the crimes they have been charged
 
Thora_Jay said:
I am 8 minutes away from the funeral home and will be attending the service Friday. Are there any members here that are also going to attend Friday?
Click to expand...

We will be thinking of you and AJ Friday.

Thank you for going and showing respect. We've all grown to care deeply for AJ, his grandparents and his brothers. Oh, I just want to give them a hug.
 
I’ve learned from reading the IL Child Death Report that one sure way to get away with murdering your child is to claim you were co-sleeping. Case after case of asphyxia due to overlay co-sleeping, with parents having been educated about proper sleep practices prior to the incident.

I just can’t.
 
Trudie said:
Ty! Can’t wait to hear his story. Maybe he will call it:
The Days of My Wife?

He’s one lucky dude to be out of her life & not involved in this catastrophic situation.
I totally forgot, she was getting a divorce, using the grave digging attorney.
Click to expand...

Here’s the link to Daily Mail TV. You can watch some if their episodes at the link or if you go to the drop down menu at the top and enter your city, it will show what time and which station it will be on in your area.

Daily Mail TV | Episodes, Showtimes, Video and more | Daily Mail Online
 
nyvictoria said:
I’ve learned from reading the IL Child Death Report that one sure way to get away with murdering your child is to claim you were co-sleeping. Case after case of asphyxia due to overlay co-sleeping, with parents having been educated about proper sleep practices prior to the incident.

I just can’t.
Click to expand...

Most of the time, they are half way passed out.
 
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