Found Deceased IL - Andrew Freund, 5, Crystal Lake, 17 April 2019 *Arrests* - #2

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Based on what my state CPS told me, CPS agents nearly always need to physically see the evidence themselves to take action (special emergency removals maybe an exception).

In other words, complaints by doctors, teachers, neighbors can serve as a line of inquiry, but they usually cant be grounds for removal. This is due to second hand information / possibility of exaggeration. Then factor in complaints motivated by grudges, personal dislike or differences in parenting lifestyles.

Because the CPS worker must physically see before acting, parents get a chance to clean up their act.

For example, consider this possible CPS report: "The neighbors complained of feces. When I finally got access to the home, there were no feces. While the home was still very messy and not going to win any invites from the "Parade of Homes", I could not prove to a legally sufficient level that the home was inherently unsafe. Mother received a warning... . "

The caseworker in this case never went to the house. The caseworker also ignored reports from LE when they witnessed filth feces and urine themselves.
 
Just a note about bond and it's purpose. Bond is not meant as a punishment for those charged but not found guilty yet. It is more of a collateral to ensure a defendant appears in court and fulfill any further court requirements. It does take the safety of the community into consideration but if a defendant isn't thought to be a danger to others then bond is usually granted with the amount based on risk factors.

Speaking of the bond hearing, I have not read anywhere that the alleged perps were asked to surrender passports. If they are able to post bond, would the ankle monitor suffice in making certain that these two don't leave the country?
 
Bail set at $5 million for the Crystal Lake parents charged with murdering their son, 5-year-old Andrew “AJ” Freund Bail set at $5 million for parents of Crystal Lake boy AJ Freund

Chicago Tribune on Twitter
But in December,
Based on what my state CPS told me, CPS agents nearly always need to physically see the evidence themselves to take action (special emergency removals maybe an exception).

In other words, complaints by doctors, teachers, neighbors can serve as a line of inquiry, but they usually cant be grounds for removal. This is due to second hand information / possibility of exaggeration. Then factor in complaints motivated by grudges, personal dislike or differences in parenting lifestyles.

Because the CPS worker must physically see before acting, parents get a chance to clean up their act. For example, consider this possible CPS report:

"The neighbors complained of feces. When I finally got access to the home, there were no feces present. While the home was still very messy and not going to win any invites from the "Parade of Homes", I could not prove to a legally sufficient level that the home was inherently unsafe. Mother received a warning... . "
Seems likely a quick look under little man's shirt could have saved his life....just saying.
 
AJ - Updated Timeline

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

2012
  • AF was JC's divorce attorney
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
  • 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
  • JC was charged with retail theft, took another plea and received more supervision and fines
June 13, 2013
  • AF was charged with retail theft, and received one year supervision and drug and alcohol treatment
June 26, 2013
  • JC battery charge - She negotiated a plea deal, paid a fine and got six months supervision, anger counseling and drug addiction treatment
October 2013
  • DCFS investigated an allegation of neglect by the mother and found there was credible evidence to substantiate the allegation. AJ was born with opiates in his body
November 2013
  • DCFS took AJ into protective custody. He was placed into foster home
May 30, 2014
  • 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
  • JC - Ordinance Violation, Animal Control
April 2016
  • DCFS closed AJ’s Protective Custody Case
March 2018
  • DCFS investigated allegations of neglect by JC and AF, but concluded they were unfounded. The mother agreed to re-enter treatment
April 18, 2018
  • JC - Traffic Violation
July 20, 2018
  • Mortgage Foreclosure Opened
December 18, 2018 - Tuesday
  • 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
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
  • JC - Traffic Violation
February 8, 2019
  • 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 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
  • 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
April 27, 2019 - Saturday
  • Vigil - 6:30 pm at Lippold Park
April 29, 2019 - Monday
  • Arraignment - JC and AF

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
 
Does anyone know how old the oldest child is? I read in the document earlier about school year 2011 so that would make the child at least a teen at this point? And all of this happened just about 1 year before AJ we born. How JC ever got custody back of AJ is beyond me.

This is the document I'm talking about...
Documents: 2013 complaint against parents of missing Crystal Lake boy | Northwest Herald

Court Records Show History Of Neglect, Drugs For Freund's Parents
This article says 18 now. It’s also a good narrative style of the 2013 complaint against JC.
ETA: by good, I just mean a thorough narrative. None of this is good.
 
AJ - Updated Timeline

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

2012
  • AF was JC's divorce attorney
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
  • 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
  • JC was charged with retail theft, took another plea and received more supervision and fines
June 13, 2013
  • AF was charged with retail theft, and received one year supervision and drug and alcohol treatment
June 26, 2013
  • JC battery charge - She negotiated a plea deal, paid a fine and got six months supervision, anger counseling and drug addiction treatment
October 2013
  • DCFS investigated an allegation of neglect by the mother and found there was credible evidence to substantiate the allegation. AJ was born with opiates in his body
November 2013
  • DCFS took AJ into protective custody. He was placed into foster home
May 30, 2014
  • 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
  • JC - Ordinance Violation, Animal Control
April 2016
  • DCFS closed AJ’s Protective Custody Case
March 2018
  • DCFS investigated allegations of neglect by JC and AF, but concluded they were unfounded. The mother agreed to re-enter treatment
April 18, 2018
  • JC - Traffic Violation
July 20, 2018
  • Mortgage Foreclosure Opened
December 18, 2018 - Tuesday
  • 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
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
  • JC - Traffic Violation
February 8, 2019
  • 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 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
  • 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
April 27, 2019 - Saturday
  • Vigil - 6:30 pm at Lippold Park
April 29, 2019 - Monday
  • Arraignment - JC and AF

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
Thank you very much for your work!!
 
Court Records Show History Of Neglect, Drugs For Freund's Parents
This article says 18 now. It’s also a good narrative style of the 2013 complaint against JC.

Well, I can’t “like” your post, for obvious reasons. Thanks for link!
So disgusting that this went on & on.
If the murderers are abused in priz, complain to guards, but nothing is done.....they’ll get a dose of their own medicine. They can think about their actions under pee warm shower.
 
What if the defendants are marks for street justice,and could wind up being killed before trial? Pretty sure they have targets on them as we speak.
Doesn't the judge have to consider that?
MOO.

And what about taking the cowardly way out -- offing themselves, thus sparing someone else from doing it?
 
JoAnn Cunningham Criminal Complaint

Her documents are up and it does list the charges for 3/4/19. Looks like she physically abused him then as well. So heart breaking!! Unless they discovered something during the investigation that indicated she beat him on the 4th, someone did not do their job in protecting this poor boy and, I'm sure, his younger brother.

I do think she lied to her attorney and once he realized that and the truth, he was out. It would be hard to represent someone like that. I'm sure there is some awful evidence involved as well. I agree with the person who posted that she'll probably play the victim card; probably will blame AJ Sr stating he threatened her and made her do it. I don't know if she could get away with saying he beat her because of the body search they did on her.

Definitely said prayers for P this morning as he probably witnessed all of this. My heart hurts for him.
He’s a Defense attorney most of the time they don’t even ask client if they committed the crime or not. Defense attorneys protect the worst of the worst whether they think they are guilty or not. There job is to defend them in a courtroom to get a fair trail. I believe that attorney was upset because she talked to LE against his advice therefore he didn’t want to represent her going forward if she was not going to do what he told her. IMHO
 
The caseworker in this case never went to the house. The caseworker also ignored reports from LE when they witnessed filth feces and urine themselves.
Apparently, that is only part of the story:

This CNN article describes two visits by case workers to the home to investigate complaints (complaints were determined to be unfounded- parents probably cleaned up their act to legal standards). The same article also describes police reporting that both children seemed happy and healthy despite no electricity in the home- lack of electricity or indoor plumbing are not grounds for removal in and of themselves.

Though police did later report urine and feces smells, a zoning official did attempt to inspect the home, but was denied entry. He probably could not legally force entry into the home. Likewise, a welfare worker did inspect a bruise the police noted (thus implying that the home was actually visited)

AJ Freund: The 5-year-old boy was found in a shallow grave. A look into his short life reveals a series of injustices - CNN

At the end of the day, it can be very difficult to legally remove a child from a home in democratic societies. Likewise, it can be legally difficult to find that a parent has permanently lost parental rights.
 
Regarding the March 4 incident, I’m wondering if that abuse is on this case because it’s somehow connected to his death. It reminds me of this case (also from IL) where abuse from the mother caused the child’s incontinence, then the child’s incontinence caused the mother to fly into a rage and kill her.

Mom sentenced to 40 years for girl's beating death -- Daily Herald

Just thinking of reasons why the March 4th abuse may have been brought to light in a confession (if it was - could also have been exposed from phone data).

MOO.
 
is it just me or does her profile picture look nothing like her and the kids? I know drugs can age you but they were all well dressed and looked very clean, healthy and happy. Not the same pictures you see up closer. Not that this is very relevant just very odd.
 
Speaking of the bond hearing, I have not read anywhere that the alleged perps were asked to surrender passports. If they are able to post bond, would the ankle monitor suffice in making certain that these two don't leave the country?
It's possible they don't have passports. If someone puts up bond and they don't show for court or violate they are usually the 1st ones to report anything suspicious because they have a lot of money they would lose. The court is probably already aware of the parents financial situation. Most (but not all) use GPS ankle monitors now days that would show everywhere someone goes. It almost looks like a google map of directions. Generally you aren't allowed to leave the house when under house arrest unless you are working and provide verification of such as well as specific hours so it is limited and can be verified via GPS.
 
Going to say this and then I am really going to try not to waste anymore time on thoughts of the parents. They don't deserve the focus and this last upsetting thought will hopefully be the last I allow myself. The father will pay a price by losing his right to live a free life but the TV drama (life with Bubba) everyone dreams of is not usually a reality. Having witnessed certain professionals who serve long sentences; if AF plays his cards right his professional skills will make him popular to other inmates and he will settle quite nicely. This is one of the reasons punishment or talking about it does not make me feel better. Nor does the thought of going beyond what the justice system allows as it puts guards and other innocents at risk. It also opens the door for huge money making lawsuits where we pay the winnings. Apologies for the long, rambling, vented opinion but had to get it off my chest. JMO
ETA: The only comfort we should find is what we do to bring change.

Wouldn't that depend on what type of law he practiced? We only know he practiced family law as he represented JC for her divorce.
 
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