AJ FREUND: Illinois vs. Andrew Freund Sr. & JoAnn Cunningham for murder of son *GUILTY PLEAS*

His body was recovered April 24 from a shallow grave several miles away in rural Woodstock. His parents, Andrew Freund Sr., and JoAnn Cunningham, had reported him missing six days earlier, but were charged with first-degree murder and other felonies following the discovery.

Cunningham, 36, pleaded guilty to a murder charge in December and faces up to 60 years in prison when sentenced April 30.

Freund Sr., 61, last week requested a bench trial and is scheduled to return to court April 24, the anniversary of his arrest. Both remain held in the McHenry County jail on $5 million bail.

'It needs a new beginning': Home where authorities say AJ Freund was murdered is demolished

A sad reminder of the tragic death of a 5-year old boy quickly was reduced to rubble Wednesday morning. The Crystal Lake house where authorities say AJ Freund was killed by his parents last April was left in a heap just minutes after demolition crews began their work.

www.dailyherald.com

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

JoAnn Cunningham Moved To Downstate Prison To Serve 35-Year Sentence In Murder Of Her Son, A.J. Freund

Cunningham was moved from the McHenry County Jail to the Logan Correctional Center in Lincoln on Tuesday, according to the Illinois Department of Corrections.

chicago.cbslocal.com

JoAnn Cunningham Moved To Downstate Prison To Serve 35-Year Sentence In Murder Of Her Son, A.J. Freund

JoAnn Cunningham has been transferred to a prison in central Illinois, where she’ll begin serving her 35-year sentence for killing her 5-year-old son, A.J. Freund.

Cunningham was moved from the McHenry County Jail to the Logan Correctional Center in Lincoln on Tuesday, according to the Illinois Department of Corrections.


As part of Cunningham’s guilty plea to the murder charge, prosecutors dropped all other charges against her, including language that called the crime “brutal and heinous.” Prosecutors said she will not be eligible for parole and must serve her entire sentence. She had faced up to 60 years in prison.

 

[GrandmaBear]

JoAnn Cunningham Moved To Downstate Prison To Serve 35-Year Sentence In Murder Of Her Son, A.J. Freund

Cunningham was moved from the McHenry County Jail to the Logan Correctional Center in Lincoln on Tuesday, according to the Illinois Department of Corrections.

chicago.cbslocal.com

JoAnn Cunningham Moved To Downstate Prison To Serve 35-Year Sentence In Murder Of Her Son, A.J. Freund

JoAnn Cunningham has been transferred to a prison in central Illinois, where she’ll begin serving her 35-year sentence for killing her 5-year-old son, A.J. Freund.

Cunningham was moved from the McHenry County Jail to the Logan Correctional Center in Lincoln on Tuesday, according to the Illinois Department of Corrections.


As part of Cunningham’s guilty plea to the murder charge, prosecutors dropped all other charges against her, including language that called the crime “brutal and heinous.” Prosecutors said she will not be eligible for parole and must serve her entire sentence. She had faced up to 60 years in prison.

Snort. Where did the rest of this case go? Yah better hush it up and settle it. How about all of the PAID for drugs that they both used and sold that were paid for and prescribed? How about crossing state lines to do that? I mean paid for by the system.

This was HEINOUS. It was HORRIBLE. She may get out while alive yet. She deserved the full works. And daddy does too. In fact, in some ways Daddy is even WORSE. But he will get less.

Nice. AJ was cut no break. Monsters. What kind of sentence is this?

 

[GrandmaBear]

"In order to pay her legal fees, Cunningham , who was unemployed, was getting pills for Freund, according to the petition. Cunningham and Freund took her oldest child with them, even once while he was ill, to pick up the prescription pills in Elkhorn, Wisconsin."

FREUND by the way means daddy... Across the border.... Patch.com

ETA: The old man isn't daddy to her oldest son, just to make that clear. They just took him with. I would compare him to a Colby Ryan in the Vallow case and lucky he ended up out of there and survived... Them damn paid for drugs...

ETA: We ain't talking everyone. But when ya got a problem, you got a problem. "Prescription" or not and they also sold them for bucks! And they didn't PAY for them... So much more to this case from day one... But try to find it now takes a bit... And if you didn't know from earlier on you would likely never find it. Elkhorn ain't that big either.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Plea Deal Expected Next Month For Andrew Freund, Charged With The Murder Of His 5-Year-Old Son A.J.

During a status hearing on Friday, McHenry County Judge Robert Wilbrandt set a tentative Dec. 9 trial date for Freund, 61.

chicago.cbslocal.com

Plea Deal Expected Next Month For Andrew Freund, Charged With The Murder Of His 5-Year-Old Son A.J.

A McHenry County judge has set a December trial date for Andrew Freund Sr., the Crystal Lake man charged with killing his 5-year-old son, A.J., but prosecutors and defense attorneys expect to reach a plea deal next month to avoid a trial.

During a status hearing on Friday, McHenry County Judge Robert Wilbrandt set a tentative Dec. 9 trial date for Freund, 61. But McHenry County Assistant State’s Attorney Randi Freese and Freund’s appointed attorney, special public defender Henry Sugden, don’t expect the case to go to trial.

“I believe we will be able to resolve this on Sept. 16,” Freese told the judge.

Sugden declined to comment on the details of a possible plea deal, saying prosecutors have not yet formally offered an agreement.

“I’m still in discussions with the state,” Sugden said.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Plea Deal Expected Next Month For Andrew Freund, Charged With The Murder Of His 5-Year-Old Son A.J.

During a status hearing on Friday, McHenry County Judge Robert Wilbrandt set a tentative Dec. 9 trial date for Freund, 61.

chicago.cbslocal.com

Plea Deal Expected Next Month For Andrew Freund, Charged With The Murder Of His 5-Year-Old Son A.J.

A McHenry County judge has set a December trial date for Andrew Freund Sr., the Crystal Lake man charged with killing his 5-year-old son, A.J., but prosecutors and defense attorneys expect to reach a plea deal next month to avoid a trial.

During a status hearing on Friday, McHenry County Judge Robert Wilbrandt set a tentative Dec. 9 trial date for Freund, 61. But McHenry County Assistant State’s Attorney Randi Freese and Freund’s appointed attorney, special public defender Henry Sugden, don’t expect the case to go to trial.

“I believe we will be able to resolve this on Sept. 16,” Freese told the judge.

Sugden declined to comment on the details of a possible plea deal, saying prosecutors have not yet formally offered an agreement.

“I’m still in discussions with the state,” Sugden said.

Hmm. Seemed like it was coming. I guess nothing will bring this poor child back but this one was just so bad. Burned and far more... While she seems the main perp they both knew and he helped abuse, hide abuse, hid, lied and buried him and more. On the other hand, at least they admit to at least some responsibility... I guess wait and see what his deal is... Interesting they say there will likely be a deal and yet there is not one yet... Kind of odd. Maybe someone is up for election... Jk, sort of...

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

2 former DCFS employees involved with AJ Freund case arrested, charged

CRYSTAL LAKE, Ill. — Two former Illinois Department of Children and Family Services employees who investigated abuse allegations involving 5-year-old AJ Freund have been charged with child endanger…

wgntv.com

2 former DCFS employees involved with AJ Freund case arrested, charged

Two former Illinois Department of Children and Family Services employees who investigated abuse allegations involving 5-year-old AJ Freund have been charged with child endangerment.

Carlos Acosta, an elected McHenry County board member from Woodstock, and his former supervisor, Andrew Polovin of Island Lake, were arrested Thursday on two counts each of endangering the life of a child and one count of reckless conduct, the McHenry County sheriff’s office announced.

Acosta, 54, and Polovin, 48, were released later Thursday from the McHenry County Jail after posting bond.

The men left DCFS in December following Freund’s death.


Acosta and Polovin were also named in a federal lawsuit by Fruend’s estate. The lawsuit alleges their investigation was a sham.

“These two DCFS employees who were supposed to help him ignored every red flag even ignoring reports of abuse from the local police, medical professionals and AJ’s neighbors,” part of it reads.

There is no word yet on when Acosta and Polovin are due in court next. When asked why it took so long for charges to be brought against them, the state’s attorney’s office said that’s how long it took to gather and sift through documents.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

AJ Freund murder: Andrew Freund Sr. pleads guilty to charges in connection to his son’s death, gets 30 years in prison

The father of 5-year-old AJ Freund on Friday pleaded guilty to charges in connection with the Crystal Lake boy’s death and was sentenced to 30 years in prison. Andrew Freund Sr. of Crystal La…

www.chicagotribune.com

AJ Freund murder: Andrew Freund Sr. pleads guilty to charges in connection to his son’s death, gets 30 years in prison

The father of 5-year-old AJ Freund on Friday pleaded guilty to charges in connection with the Crystal Lake boy’s death and was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

Andrew Freund Sr. of Crystal Lake., whose son’s body was found in a shallow grave in April 2019, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, aggravated battery of a child and concealment of a homicidal death.

He was sentenced to 11 years for aggravated battery of a child, 14 years for involuntary manslaughter and five years for concealment of a homicide.

Judge Robert Wilbrandt said the charges will be served consecutively, “for the protection of the public.”

As part of a plea agreement, Freund must also cooperate in an investigation into the Department of Children and Family Services. Two former agency workers face charges in connection to AJ’s case.

Freund must serve at least a minimum of 18 years in prison, 30 years if the sentences handed down Friday are served in full. If he is eventually released from prison, Freund would be required to spend time under supervised release and would be listed on the state’s registry for violent offenders against youths.

Under the plea deal, Freund will get credit for time already served since he was taken into custody on April 26, 2019.

 

[GrandmaBear]

AJ Freund murder: Andrew Freund Sr. pleads guilty to charges in connection to his son’s death, gets 30 years in prison

The father of 5-year-old AJ Freund on Friday pleaded guilty to charges in connection with the Crystal Lake boy’s death and was sentenced to 30 years in prison. Andrew Freund Sr. of Crystal La…

www.chicagotribune.com

AJ Freund murder: Andrew Freund Sr. pleads guilty to charges in connection to his son’s death, gets 30 years in prison

The father of 5-year-old AJ Freund on Friday pleaded guilty to charges in connection with the Crystal Lake boy’s death and was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

Andrew Freund Sr. of Crystal Lake., whose son’s body was found in a shallow grave in April 2019, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, aggravated battery of a child and concealment of a homicidal death.

He was sentenced to 11 years for aggravated battery of a child, 14 years for involuntary manslaughter and five years for concealment of a homicide.

Judge Robert Wilbrandt said the charges will be served consecutively, “for the protection of the public.”

As part of a plea agreement, Freund must also cooperate in an investigation into the Department of Children and Family Services. Two former agency workers face charges in connection to AJ’s case.

Freund must serve at least a minimum of 18 years in prison, 30 years if the sentences handed down Friday are served in full. If he is eventually released from prison, Freund would be required to spend time under supervised release and would be listed on the state’s registry for violent offenders against youths.

Under the plea deal, Freund will get credit for time already served since he was taken into custody on April 26, 2019.

Nothing will change this or bring this poor child back but I was concerned the father would get a slap on the hand with some deal. It isn't life but it is significant if he has to serve it all. It is consecutive and at least seems to have been taken seriously. RIP AJ and I hope your siblings excel and that you shine your light upon them.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Nothing will change this or bring this poor child back but I was concerned the father would get a slap on the hand with some deal. It isn't life but it is significant if he has to serve it all. It is consecutive and at least seems to have been taken seriously. RIP AJ and I hope your siblings excel and that you shine your light upon them.

Yeah... He's 61. Must serve at least 18 years. Already done about 1.5. So the earliest he could be out he'd be late 70s. I don't see him earning early parole though, unless something crazy happens.
Considering the person who committed the actual murder got 35, I think 30 is about as good as we could have expected.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Yeah... He's 61. Must serve at least 18 years. Already done about 1.5. So the earliest he could be out he'd be late 70s. I don't see him earning early parole though, unless something crazy happens.
Considering the person who committed the actual murder got 35, I think 30 is about as good as we could have expected.

I never thought of his age but that is a good point. There are no winners here, certainly not AJ.

 

[GrandmaBear]

A.J. Freund Case: Father Called 911 to Report Boy Missing, Now He's Going to Prison for Killing Him

Andrew Freund, 61, admitted he called 911 to report his son was missing after hiding the child's battered body in a plastic bin in the basement

people.com

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Former DCFS supervisor pleads not guilty to felony charges in AJ Freund case

Former DCFS supervisor Andrew Polovin has pleaded not guilty to felony charges in connection with his mishandling of AJ Freund abuse investigations.

www.lakemchenryscanner.com

Former DCFS supervisor pleads not guilty to felony charges in AJ Freund case

Former DCFS supervisor Andrew Polovin has pleaded not guilty to felony charges in connection with his mishandling of AJ Freund abuse investigations.

Andrew R. Polovin, 48, of Island Lake, and Carlos J. Acosta, 54, of Woodstock, were both charged with two felony counts of endangering the life of a child and one felony count of reckless conduct.

Polovin appeared in court Thursday with Chicago-based attorney Matthew McQuaid in front of McHenry County Judge Robert Wilbrandt.

During an arraignment hearing, Polovin pleaded not guilty to all charges. A jury trial was requested, court records show.

Polovin will appear in court again on October 29 for a trial date status hearing. Acosta is scheduled to make his first court appearance on September 24.

According to a bill of indictment, a grand jury charged Acosta for “not acting in good faith within his official capacity as a DCFS Child Protection Specialist and in a willful and wanton manner, knowingly caused or permitted the life or health of A.F., a minor child under the age of 18, to be endangered and said offense was a proximate cause of the death of A.F.”

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Well I would hope so...

Father of murdered 5-year-old AJ Freund disbarred after guilty plea

The Illinois Supreme Court has disbarred the Crystal Lake man and former attorney who buried his 5-year-old son in the woods after the child was murdered by his mother. Andrew T. Freund Sr., who was licensed as an attorney in 1984, was disbarred on consent this month as a result of convictions...

www.dailyherald.com

Father of murdered 5-year-old AJ Freund disbarred after guilty plea​

The Illinois Supreme Court has disbarred the Crystal Lake man and former attorney who buried his 5-year-old son in the woods after the child was murdered by his mother.

Andrew T. Freund Sr., who was licensed as an attorney in 1984, was disbarred on consent this month as a result of convictions tied to his son's abuse and death, according to Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission records released Thursday.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Prosecutors can't use some statements from DCFS workers in AJ Freund case

Certain statements made by a pair of former child welfare workers charged after the 2019 death of Crystal Lake boy AJ Freund cannot be used in the men's criminal prosecutions, according to the Illinois Attorney General's Office.

www.dailyherald.com

Prosecutors can't use some statements from DCFS workers in AJ Freund case​

Certain statements made by two former child welfare workers charged after the 2019 death of Crystal Lake boy AJ Freund cannot be used in the men's criminal prosecutions, according to the Illinois attorney general's office.

Former Department of Children and Family Services supervisor Andrew Polovin made a brief appearance Wednesday at the McHenry County courthouse, where his case was continued to March 10.

Polovin, 48, was arrested in September on reckless conduct and child endangerment charges in connection with a 2018 DCFS investigation involving AJ's family. Also charged was McHenry County Board member and veteran DCFS employee Carlos Acosta, who is due back in court Friday for a status hearing.

"Because Acosta, Polovin and Gold could not decline to participate in the OIG's investigation, be interviewed, or refuse to answer questions, without facing possible discharge from their employment with the State of Illinois, or criminal charges, their statements were coerced and therefore not voluntary," Camp wrote.

 

[GrandmaBear]

This one is more than awful. It seems LE tried, it seems the school tried, but what was it daddy's status as an attorney, not me, I will ensure kids are fine, he was JUST as involved or more so... Daddy's parents and known family from yesteryears(?) despite things... Daddy's law firm tried to put it on her and get him help... Yet someone poor can be picked on who would never... Let's say drugs in this one with both for one thing... Funny that they let go where they seemed to get them where they were being obtained, etc. But I guess LE can't be on top of or come down on everyone, after all, they do not have the final say.... I mean there are things in this case I would still like answers to... Border crossing to get drugs for one thing... From a doctor...

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Crystal Lake officers to be honored for solving murder of Andrew Freund

The officers who helped solve the murder of Andrew “AJ” Freund are being honored for their work on the case.

www.fox32chicago.com

Crystal Lake officers to be honored for solving murder of Andrew Freund​

The officers who helped solve the murder of Andrew "AJ" Freund are being honored for their work on the case.

Twelve members of the Crystal Lake Police Department have received the Medal of Valor and will be recognized this week as "Most Outstanding Law Enforcement Officers of the Year," according to the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police.

 

[GrandmaBear]

I was trying to come up with this child's name last night and I couldn't think of it. It bothered me to no end that I couldn't think of a child victim's name in a case I followed. I awoke this morning and couldn't think of it either and finally it came to me.

I only just saw the part about the police being honored. They also I believe knew these children were not in a good situation and they tried to do something about it but the other parts of the systems failed AND the dad always convinced them and everyone he would step up and take care of the kids as if it was always "her". To me, he was every bit as bad and abusive and a part of what happened to this child and they both were charged.

Anyhow, I think of this child and he is one I probably always will have cross my mind. It was a case I could hardly follow, the facts are so awful I had to step away more than once.

Last night I was thinking about a few that really struck me and he was one... In his case, his body was recovered and his parents were charged so those answers are there but I just wanted to check the case and give it a bump.

RIP AJ.

 

[GrandmaBear]

This case was solved. His body was found. His parents were charged and I guess a form of justice did prevail. Just thinking of him. I hope his brother is well and safe and loved.

RIP Andrew.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

AJ Freund murder: JoAnn Cunningham challenges conviction in beating death of 5-year-old son

She claimed to have been seeing demons and believed her son was possessed by a demon, and said she sought an exorcism from a priest, a chaplain and AJ's father

abc7chicago.com

AJ Freund murder: JoAnn Cunningham challenges conviction in beating death of 5-year-old son​

A suburban Chicago woman who pleaded guilty in her 5-year-old son's death is challenging her conviction and 35-year sentence, saying she had postpartum depression and psychosis when she killed her son.

JoAnn Cunningham, 39, of Crystal Lake, claimed in her petition for post-conviction relief that she did not receive adequate counsel. She claimed to have been seeing demons and believed her son was possessed by a demon, and said she sought an exorcism from a priest, a chaplain and AJ's father, Andrew Freund, The Northwest Herald reported.

McHenry County Judge Robert Wilbrandt, who sentenced Cunningham, said Friday he has 90 days to decide whether the post-conviction petition has merit. If relief is granted, it could result in Cunningham's guilty plea and sentence being set aside and a date could be set for a new trial.

If Wilbrandt finds her claims are warranted, he then would assign Cunningham an attorney and allow prosecutors to provide their input, the judge said during a hearing Friday.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

347 children have died in the last THREE years alone as part of Illinois DCFS???? Holy crap.

'A stain on the state of Illinois': Bipartisan push for reforms at DCFS amid child deaths

Lawmakers are renewing the push for oversight on the Department of Children and Family Services. It comes as we near the three-year anniversary of the death of AJ Freund, a Crystal Lake five-year-old who died after being abused. "This department is a stain on the state of Illinois," said Rep...

newschannel20.com

'A stain on the state of Illinois': Bipartisan push for reforms at DCFS amid child deaths
Lawmakers are renewing the push for oversight on the Department of Children and Family Services.

It comes as we near the three-year anniversary of the death of AJ Freund, a Crystal Lake five-year-old who died after being abused.

"This department is a stain on the state of Illinois," said Rep. Carol Ammons, D-Urbana.

In memory of Freund, 347 pairs of children shoes displayed at the Capitol Thursday representing the number of children who have died in the last three years despite being involved with DCFS.

It was set up by Roar for AJ, a group aiming to keep the pressure on DCFS to find solutions so that children like AJ are better protected.

Just a few floors above the display, lawmakers slammed the department for their inaction, calling for audits and other changes to ensure these deaths are being handled correctly.

Since January, at least five children have been added to that count.

"We're talking about children, our most vulnerable children, who we as a state have a fundamental responsibility to protect, and we are failing them miserably," said Rep. Chris Bos, R-Lake Zurich.