Anger over 5-year-old AJ's death fuels interest in foster parenting
5-1-19
The tragic story of Andrew "AJ" Freund -- the Crystal Lake 5-year-old who authorities say was abused and killed by his parents -- is inspiring more people to look into becoming foster parents to children from troubled homes, child welfare advocates say.
"It sparked from a lot of anger and fear. ... People want something to do. People need some way to help," said Emily Kunash, president of
Moms of McHenry County,whose roughly 300 members have been seeking avenues to help in the wake of AJ's death.
The group now is focused on forging relationships with local nonprofit organizations that serve foster children.
Hundreds of people are registered for two informational sessions on adoption and foster care Saturday in Libertyville and Tuesday in Woodstock.
"The silver lining is people are stepping up," said Susan McConnell, executive director and founder of
Let It Be Us,a Barrington-based group organizing both events. "Our attendance numbers are doubled right now."
The group recruits foster and adoptive parents through fairs mostly in Cook, Kane, Lake and McHenry counties.
AJ's body was found April 24 in a shallow grave near Woodstock seven days after his parents reported him missing. Parents JoAnn Cunningham, 36, and Andrew Freund Sr., 60, face first-degree murder and other charges.
The child died after being hit multiple times on the head, the McHenry County coroner's office reported. His younger brother, age 4, is in state custody.
Details of AJ's challenging life have raised concerns about the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services' handling of his case and shined a light on Illinois' foster care system.
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Anger over 5-year-old AJ's death fuels interest in foster parenting
Kudos to the people stepping up, I certainly understand the feeling and the need to do something and/or change something.
Forgive my negativity but JC was apparently approved as a foster parent. Would more foster parents have saved AJ? DCFS right now has control of PF, the very agency that most feel failed AJ.
This is not to take away from the people stepping up, that is great news. I do hope none of them are there from feeling they would never be approved but found JC was approved with all of her history and issues so maybe they could too be approved to be a foster parent and paid too.
I admit, a very negative tone in my post here... I am sure most stepping up are doing it with the best of intentions and would be better parents than AJ had for sure. I truly am sure most stepping up are good people. I just look at the fact I guess that JC was a foster parent...
Some days these cases get to me. Apologies but all stated is truth as we know it...
I don't know what the answer is and I do know in some cases (not this one) there can be abuse of power over parents who are doing their best (not this one) and removal ends up more negative.
Drugs though and continued drug addiction, that is a different scenario. It may be labeled a disease, yet maybe the place to start is with that.
Another thing I’m curious about, back in 2018 when they skipped out on hotel bill. Did they frequently get a hotel for nefarious purposes? We have one locally that is known to be a not so nice place, I think most towns to be the same, having at least one. Jmo. As far as skipping out on tab, I did not know one could pay at checkout, we have always used CC at check in.
My guess is this is a hole in the wall hotel. One can hold a room with a credit card and no payment but generally not otherwise. Either they were familiar with them and trusted them or her or him or they did not put a hold on the card (unlikely).
Years ago, I was with someone who never ever used credit (had no debt either, way to go). We checked into a motel, big group, he had his own room, he had cash, they were not okay with it at the front desk other than just for the room as they could not be guaranteed if room service, the phone, etc. was used that it could be covered. He had to pay like twice or triple as much in cash up front than the rest of us and it was clear they were not used to cash. That has been a long darn time ago too.
On another note, many years ago as well I had been dating someone for a few years. We went to a bigger city. He picked what he felt would be a reasonably priced old motel (in a small town that is often what they are). The clerk asked us if we wanted half an hour or an hour! I held my remarks that came to mind. BF was a cheap arse. In hindsight maybe he knew the place...
We got to the room and no way was I staying there after hearing the remark at the desk and seeing the room, pretty bad and no light to see what I could see enough in the dim light. I am not PICKY whatsoever. I called someone I knew in the city and we stayed there and he lost his payment for the room--oh well I guess that is a lesson for penny pinching in the wrong situation.
My longwinded point is when I read this nonpayment issue, I could not see them not putting a hold on the card for the room price or trusting up front unless they had paid in full every time before and they knew them (but would they call the cops then?) or it is the type of place that gets paid after the person gets paid in the room whether for drugs, prostitution, etc.
Just guessing... Or maybe a big show was put on, my bf is an attorney, or I am an attorney, he will be here shortly, we just forgot our credit card, etc., had a crisis at home, left in a hurry and a young desk clerk or someone who gave the benefit of the doubt until they were stiffed?
