There are new details about the death of 5-year-old Andrew «A. J.» Freund, who was discovered in a shallow grave in the suburbs of Chicago.
The main suspects in the murder of the boy are his parents — 60-year-old lawyer Andrew Freund Sr. and 35-year-old beautician Joanne Cunningham. According to the indictment, they forced the child to stand «under a cold shower for an extended period of time» and «beat» him. They did it around April 15, «knowing that these actions will lead to death.»
Initially, parents reported the missing child April 18. Freind called 911, saying he just got back from the doctor and found out that there’s no baby.
«We checked the Park, a local gas station, where we sometimes took him, the father said, according to the recording of a 911 call. — I have no idea where he is… We checked the closets, basement, garage… everywhere.»
When social workers came to the house Frangov, I found «stripped floors, hanging around the food mixed with clothes and garbage.» Six days later, A. J.’s body was discovered in a shallow grave in a field in Woodstock (Il), about 10 miles (16 km) from home.
The Parents Of AJ. Photo: Crystal Lake Police Department
The boy who was born with opioids in the body, was removed from his parents immediately after his birth in October 2013 and given to the care of his cousin. He was returned in 2015 at the age of 18 months, and the child protective services closed their business in April next year.
Cunningham, who had a drug problem, was arrested in December 2018 for driving with expired rights. When police officers arrived at the house, noted that the living conditions of children was «unacceptable». According to the incident report, dog feces and urine were everywhere, some Windows were broken, floors were «uneven and broken», and a kitchen table and a sofa piled with bags of clothes.
«The police noticed a large bruise on his thigh, Andrew», — said in a statement.
A. J. said that he had received the injury when their dog is a boxer weighing 60 pounds named Lucy was playing with him.
«The doctor examined Andrew was not able to establish the cause of his injuries, the report notes. — The doctor was concerned because Andrew told him: «Maybe someone hit me with a belt. Mother probably didn’t want to hurt me»».
Despite these words, and 27 visits to the family home by social workers — 18 of them passed without notice — A. J. remained in the family and beyond.
A. J. Freund. Photo: Crystal Lake Police Department
Social services stated that currently «conducts a comprehensive analysis of work with family A. J.».
If Freund Sr. and Cunningham were found guilty of five charges that include murder, they face life imprisonment. If A. J. has a younger brother, Parker, who is now in social services.
According to the indictment, in 2012, mother Cunningham, Lorelei Hughes, told the court that her daughter is an unfit mother for the older brother AJ, whom she bore at age 17. Now the child lives with his grandparents in the nearby town of McHenry (Il).
