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

[jash]

@Niner, is this the article? It's part 1 of 2.

Two troubled people met at a McHenry County courthouse in 2012. Today, they stand charged in the murder of their 5-year-old son.

It's all about the "parents"... how they grew up, how they met.

Part 2 is here: The untold story of AJ Freund’s tragically short life: A time of hope. A violent death.

On the night of Oct. 14, 2013, Andrew Freund Jr. came into the world through emergency cesarean section. He weighed just 5 pounds, 7 ounces.

The nurses took note of what they described as fresh track marks on the body of his mother, JoAnn Cunningham of Crystal Lake. And from his first breaths, AJ was struggling.

Hospital records detail “tremors, sneezing, excessive crying, sleep disturbance, and an overactive startle reflex.”

The symptoms were obvious signs of withdrawal, and an analysis of AJ’s umbilical cord blood revealed a derivative of heroin, according to confidential records reviewed by the Tribune. Doctors at what was then called Centegra Hospital-Woodstock gave the baby boy morphine to alleviate his symptoms.​

 

[jash]

The untold story of AJ Freund’s tragically short life: A time of hope. A violent death.

Five-year-old AJ Freund gave varying explanations for the bruise on his hip, including that the family dog had pawed him the night before. He also said someone might have hit him with a belt, adding: "Maybe mommy didn't mean to hurt me." (Law enforcement evidence photo)
----------------


During the search for AJ, his younger brother was interviewed at the McHenry County Children’s Advocacy Center. In that April 19 talk, court records show, the boy said his mother had told him AJ “fell down the stairs and had a lot of owies.” He also said his parents instructed him not to talk about AJ.

One month later, in another interview conducted by child welfare officials that was included in a report reviewed by the Tribune, the boy said he missed AJ and his father. He said he was afraid of two things: the dark and his mother.

“Mommy is a monster,” the boy was quoted saying. He said AJ used to get into a lot of trouble for lying and had “demons” inside him because he was “bad," according to the report.

The boy is now with the same cousin, a licensed foster parent, who initially raised AJ.​

 

[claudianunes]

Oh my God. Poor babies.

 

[Niner]

Oh I so agree claudianunes!! Those poor babies!

and thank you jash for the articles!

 

[Niner]

Freund:

Previous Court Events
Date Room Event Type Result Judge
10/29/2019 302 STATUS - TRIAL DATE ALLOWED - PHONE CALL WILBRANDT

10/29/2019 302 STATUS - TRIAL DATE CONTINUED - DEFENDANTS MOTION WILBRANDT

Future Court Events
Date Time Room Event Type Judge
11/08/2019 1:30PM 302 STATUS - TRIAL DATE WILBRANDT
11/08/2019 1:30PM 302 MOTION - STATES ATTORNEY WILBRANDT

link: http://caseinfo.co.mchenry.il.us/pca/CaseView.jsp

 

[jash]

A couple more snips from the latest article...

Cunningham delivered a baby girl on May 31, five weeks after her arrest. The infant was born without illicit drugs in her system and also is in the care of Cunningham’s family.
...

[LH (JC's mother)] said she has not visited her daughter in jail but has spoken with her on the phone.
...
She was faced with tough choices when it came to her daughter and her grandchildren. She saved one grandson, fighting a prolonged court battle while working full time and shelling out thousands of dollars in legal fees. She and her longtime boyfriend are now helping him through college.

Still, [LH] said she struggles with feelings of regret for not realizing the danger AJ faced. If she had tried harder to reconcile with her daughter, [LH] wonders, would Cunningham have reached out to her for help?

“Had I known what AJ was going through, what they were doing to him — any of it — I would have taken them,” she said through tears. “I would have got those kids out of that house and I would have went to jail to protect them.”

In June, Cunningham wrote a pleading letter from jail to her oldest son — the one [LH] has raised since age 12 — claiming her innocence.

He had no interest in reading it, his grandmother said.

[LH], however, opened the letter. Cunningham asked her son for his support and expressed her love for him and his siblings. She hoped he would come visit her in jail.

“I can’t talk about my case, but just know I had nothing to do with this,” Cunningham wrote.

“You know who I am.”

The untold story of AJ Freund’s tragically short life: A time of hope. A violent death.​

 

[Niner]

Friday, November 8th:
*Status & Motions Hearing (@ 1:30pm 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) – only for *Andrew T. Freund, Sr. (60) “father” arrested (4/24/19), charged (4/25/19), indicted (5/9/19) & arraigned (5/10/19) with 5 counts of 1st degree murder, 3 counts of aggravated battery, 1 count of aggravated domestic battery, 1 count of failure to report death of child, 1 count of concealing a homicidal death (burying body), 1 count concealing death of a person, 1 count of circumstance of endangerment/death, 1 count abuse of corpse, 1 count of destroying evidence, 1 count of false info to LE, 2 counts of aggravated battery to child, 1 count of reckless conduct/great bodily harm, 1 count of unlawful restraint & 1 count of causing child to be endangered. Plead not guilty. $5M bond.
Court hearing from 4/25/19 thru 8/29/19 reference post #535 here:
Found Deceased - IL - Andrew Freund, 5, Crystal Lake, 17 April 2019 *mother & bf arrested* - #5
Next for Murder charges: Status & set trial date hearing on 9/26. 9/9/19 Child: Next hearing on 10/21. No update as of 10/25. 9/26/19: Murder: Status & set trial date Hearing continued to 10/24.
10/24/19 Update: Murder: Defense motion for continuance. Next status & set trial date hearing on 10/29.
10/29 Update: Murder: Next status & motions hearing on 11/8.
*JoAnn D. Cunningham (35) “mom” – Murder: Next Status & set trial date hearing on 1/10/20.

 

[Niner]

for Freund:

Date Time Room Event Type Judge
01/14/2020 9:00AM 302 STATUS - TRIAL DATE WILBRANDT

link: http://caseinfo.co.mchenry.il.us/pca/CaseView.jsp

 

[girlhasnoname]

The untold story of AJ Freund’s tragically short life: A time of hope. A violent death.

Five-year-old AJ Freund gave varying explanations for the bruise on his hip, including that the family dog had pawed him the night before. He also said someone might have hit him with a belt, adding: "Maybe mommy didn't mean to hurt me." (Law enforcement evidence photo)
----------------


During the search for AJ, his younger brother was interviewed at the McHenry County Children’s Advocacy Center. In that April 19 talk, court records show, the boy said his mother had told him AJ “fell down the stairs and had a lot of owies.” He also said his parents instructed him not to talk about AJ.

One month later, in another interview conducted by child welfare officials that was included in a report reviewed by the Tribune, the boy said he missed AJ and his father. He said he was afraid of two things: the dark and his mother.

“Mommy is a monster,” the boy was quoted saying. He said AJ used to get into a lot of trouble for lying and had “demons” inside him because he was “bad," according to the report.

The boy is now with the same cousin, a licensed foster parent, who initially raised AJ.​

I literally am at a loss for words....poor dear AJ, I'm so very sorry your time on earth was so sad.
#JusticeforAJ

 

[Niner]

Thought I'd post the docket also with the next hearing dates. And it looks like Freund has an extra date in there.

Cunningham:

Future Court Events
Date TIme Room Event Type Judge
01/10/2020 9:00 AM 302 STATUS - SUBPOENA REQUEST
01/10/2020 9:00 AM 302 STATUS - TRIAL DATE

Previous Court Events
Date Room Event Type/Result Result
11/22/2019 302 MOTION - ISSUE SUBPOENA - PROTECTIVE ORDER ENTERED - PROTECTIVE ORDER

11/22/2019 302 STATUS - SUBPOENA REQUEST SATISFIED

link: 19CF000289 - Public Case Access


Freund:

Future Court Events
Date Time Room Event Type
01/14/2020 9:00 AM 302 STATUS - TRIAL DATE

11/26/2019 9:00 AM 302 MOTION - PROTECTIVE ORDER

Previous Court Events
Date Room Event Type/Result Result
11/22/2019 302 MOTION - ISSUE SUBPOENA - PROTECTIVE ORDER ENTERED - PROTECTIVE ORDER

link: 19CF000290 - Public Case Access

 

[Niner]

Tuesday, November 26th:
*Motion Hearing (@ 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) – only for *Andrew T. Freund, Sr. (60) “father” arrested (4/24/19), charged (4/25/19), indicted (5/9/19) & arraigned (5/10/19) with 5 counts of 1st degree murder, 3 counts of aggravated battery, 1 count of aggravated domestic battery, 1 count of failure to report death of child, 1 count of concealing a homicidal death (burying body), 1 count concealing death of a person, 1 count of circumstance of endangerment/death, 1 count abuse of corpse, 1 count of destroying evidence, 1 count of false info to LE, 2 counts of aggravated battery to child, 1 count of reckless conduct/great bodily harm, 1 count of unlawful restraint & 1 count of causing child to be endangered. Plead not guilty. $5M bond.
Court hearing from 4/25/19 thru 8/29/19 reference post #535 here:
Found Deceased - IL - Andrew Freund, 5, Crystal Lake, 17 April 2019 *mother & bf arrested* - #5
Next for Murder charges: Status & set trial date hearing on 9/26. 9/9/19 Child: Next hearing on 10/21. No update as of 11/24. 9/26/19: Murder: Status & set trial date Hearing continued to 10/24.
10/24/19 Update: Murder: Defense motion for continuance. Next status & set trial date hearing on 10/29. 10/29: Murder: Next status & motions hearing on 11/8. 11/8/19: Murder: next Motion hearing on 11/26. And status / set trial date hearing on 1/14/20.
*JoAnn D. Cunningham (35) “mom” – Murder: Next Status & set trial date hearing on 1/10/20.

 

[Niner]

For Freund:

Future Court Events

Date Time Room Event Type
01/14/2020 9:00 AM 302 STATUS - TRIAL DATE

12/13/2019 9:00 AM 302 STATUS - SUBPOENA REQUEST


Previous Court Events
Date Room Event Type/Result Result
11/26/2019 302 MOTION - PROTECTIVE ORDER ENTERED - PROTECTIVE ORDER

link: 19CF000290 - Public Case Access

 

[Niner]

I see that Cunningham's been added some court hearings.

Future Court Events

Date Time Room Event Type
01/10/2020 9:00 AM 302 STATUS - SUBPOENA REQUEST
01/10/2020 9:00 AM 302 STATUS - TRIAL DATE

12/13/2019 9:00 AM 302 STATUS - SUBPOENA REQUEST

12/03/2019 9:00 AM 302 MOTION - ISSUE SUBPOENA - PROTECTIVE ORDER

link: 19CF000289 - Public Case Access

 

[JerseyGirl]

Judge orders home of AJ Freund to be demolished

It could take place Dec. 12 or later.

 

[Niner]

Tuesday, December 3rd:
*Motions Hearing (@ 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) – only for *JoAnn D. Cunningham (35) “mom” arrested (4/24/19), charged (4/25/19), indicted (5/9/19) & arraigned (5/10/19) with 5 counts of 1st degree murder, 4 counts of aggravated battery of child, 2 count of aggravated domestic battery, 2 counts of concealment of homicidal death, 1 count of failure to report death of child, 1 count of abuse of corpse, 1 count of obstruction of justice, 2 counts of unlawful restraint, 1 count of circumstance of endangerment/death & 1 count of causing child to be endangered. Plead not guilty. $5M bond.
Court hearing from 4/25/19 thru 8/29/19 reference post #535 here:
Found Deceased - IL - Andrew Freund, 5, Crystal Lake, 17 April 2019 *mother & bf arrested* - #5
Next for Murder charges: Status & set trial date hearing on 10/17. 9/9/19: Next hearing re child on 10/21. No update as of 12/1.
10/17/19 Update: Murder: Motions hearing re protective order on 12/3, Status hearing re subpoena request on 12/13 & Status & set trial date hearing on 1/10/20.
*Andrew T. Freund, Sr. (60) “father” – Status hearing on 12/13/19.

 

[Niner]

Cunningham:

Future Court Events

Date Time Room Event Type
01/10/2020 9:00 AM 302 STATUS - SUBPOENA REQUEST
01/10/2020 9:00 AM 302 STATUS - TRIAL DATE

12/05/2019 9:00 AM 302 STATUS - CHECK


Previous Court Events
Date Room Event Type Results
12/03/2019 302 CONFERENCE - 402 HELD - CONFERENCE 402

12/03/2019 302 MOTION - ISSUE SUBPOENA - PROTECTIVE ORDER ENTERED - PROTECTIVE ORDER


link: 19CF000289 - Public Case Access

 

[Niner]

Thursday, December 5th:
*Status Check Hearing (@ 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) – only for *JoAnn D. Cunningham (35) “mom” arrested (4/24/19), charged (4/25/19), indicted (5/9/19) & arraigned (5/10/19) with 5 counts of 1st degree murder, 4 counts of aggravated battery of child, 2 count of aggravated domestic battery, 2 counts of concealment of homicidal death, 1 count of failure to report death of child, 1 count of abuse of corpse, 1 count of obstruction of justice, 2 counts of unlawful restraint, 1 count of circumstance of endangerment/death & 1 count of causing child to be endangered. Plead not guilty. $5M bond.
Court hearing from 4/25/19 thru 8/29/19 reference post #535 here:
Found Deceased - IL - Andrew Freund, 5, Crystal Lake, 17 April 2019 *mother & bf arrested* - #5
Next for Murder charges: Status & set trial date hearing on 10/17. 9/9/19: Next hearing re child on 10/21.
10/17/19 Update: Murder: Motions hearing re protective order on 12/3, Status hearing re subpoena request on 12/13 & Status & set trial date hearing on 1/10/20. 12/3/19: Murder: Motion to issue protective order entered. Next status hearing on 12/5.
*Andrew T. Freund, Sr. (60) “father” – Status hearing on 12/13/19.

 

[MsArk]

She just plead guilty!

The plea was made in the McHenry County courthouse in Woodstock. Cunningham will be sentenced at a later date. A status hearing is set for Jan. 30. She faces 20 to 60 years in prison. Other charges against her were dropped.

JoAnn Cunningham pleads guilty to murder in beating death of her son, 5-year-old AJ Freund of Crystal Lake

 

[AgeofAquaruis]

The untold story of AJ Freund’s tragically short life: A time of hope. A violent death.

Five-year-old AJ Freund gave varying explanations for the bruise on his hip, including that the family dog had pawed him the night before. He also said someone might have hit him with a belt, adding: "Maybe mommy didn't mean to hurt me." (Law enforcement evidence photo)
----------------


During the search for AJ, his younger brother was interviewed at the McHenry County Children’s Advocacy Center. In that April 19 talk, court records show, the boy said his mother had told him AJ “fell down the stairs and had a lot of owies.” He also said his parents instructed him not to talk about AJ.

One month later, in another interview conducted by child welfare officials that was included in a report reviewed by the Tribune, the boy said he missed AJ and his father. He said he was afraid of two things: the dark and his mother.

“Mommy is a monster,” the boy was quoted saying. He said AJ used to get into a lot of trouble for lying and had “demons” inside him because he was “bad," according to the report.

The boy is now with the same cousin, a licensed foster parent, who initially raised AJ.​

Child protective services helped kill precious A.J. SMH

 

[AgeofAquaruis]

She just plead guilty!

The plea was made in the McHenry County courthouse in Woodstock. Cunningham will be sentenced at a later date. A status hearing is set for Jan. 30. She faces 20 to 60 years in prison. Other charges against her were dropped.

JoAnn Cunningham pleads guilty to murder in beating death of her son, 5-year-old AJ Freund of Crystal Lake

They better give her the max. No chance for parole. Period.