The McHenry County state’s attorney and an assistant state’s attorney have both been awarded for their “significant contributions” in prosecuting the parents in the Crystal Lake murder of AJ Freund. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) recognized McHenry County State’s Attorney Patrick Kenneally and McHenry County First Assistant State’s Attorney Randi Freese. […]
Tag: aj freund
Posted inLocal News
Judge allows key evidence to be used at trial against 2 DCFS employees charged following AJ Freund’s murder
A judge has allowed prosecutors to admit new evidence against the two DCFS workers who were charged with the mishandling of AJ Freund abuse investigations before the Crystal Lake boy was killed. Carlos J. Acosta, 56, of Woodstock, and Andrew R. Polovin, 50, of Island Lake, were both charged in September 2020 with two counts […]
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Judge dismisses mother of AJ Freund’s post-conviction petition, says it has no merit
The Crystal Lake mother serving a 35-year prison sentence for killing her son, AJ Freund, had her post-conviction petition denied on Wednesday by a judge, who said she had no merit in her petition. JoAnn Cunningham, 39, formerly of Crystal Lake, filed a post-conviction petition in McHenry County Circuit Court in late March. Cunningham filed […]
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Lawmakers, ‘Roar for AJ’ group to hold rally in remembrance of AJ Freund at Illinois State Capitol
Several lawmakers and the McHenry County “Roar for AJ” group will attend a rally Thursday at the Illinois State Capitol to bring awareness to child abuse. State Representative Steve Reick (R-Woodstock), State Senator Craig Wilcox (R-McHenry) and Rep. Tom Weber (R-Lake Villa) will attend the rally, according to a statement. The rally will take place […]
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Mother of AJ Freund files post-conviction petition, says she had been ‘seeing demons’ at time of her son’s killing
The Crystal Lake mother serving a 35-year prison sentence for killing her son, AJ Freund, has filed a post-conviction petition, saying that she had been seeing demons and believed she and her son were possessed. JoAnn Cunningham, 39, formerly of Crystal Lake, filed a post-conviction petition in McHenry County Circuit Court earlier this week. Cunningham […]
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Coroner rules Damari Perry’s death a homicide, says boy was found naked wrapped in bag
The coroner’s office has ruled 6-year-old Damari Perry’s death a homicide and said the boy had bruises and burns on his body. His cause of death was hypothermia. The Lake County, Indiana Coroner’s Office released the information Tuesday following a Monday autopsy. Damari had “scattered ecchymosis on the right leg, extremely cold core temperature, and […]
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‘A failed system’: State rep from Fox Lake calls for investigation into DCFS following death of Damari Perry
Illinois State Representative Tom Weber, based in Fox Lake, has called for an investigation into DCFS policies, laws and leadership following the death of 6-year-old Damari Perry. “The stories of incompetence from DCFS are sadly ever present; the improper removal of well-cared for children like baby girl Bougher, the deaths of AJ Freund and Damari […]
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12 police officers receive Medal of Valor for work in solving murder of 5-year-old Andrew Freund in Crystal Lake
12 members of the Crystal Lake Police Department have received a Medal of Valor and will be recognized as the “Most Outstanding Law Enforcement Officers of Year” for solving the murder of 5-year-old Andrew Freund. The police department members will be recognized this week as the 2019 “Most Outstanding Law Enforcement Officers of the Year,” […]
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Former DCFS worker pleads not guilty to felony charges in AJ Freund case
Former DCFS worker and current McHenry County Board member Carlos Acosta pleaded not guilty to felony charges in connection with his mishandling of AJ Freund abuse investigations. Carlos J. Acosta, 54, of Woodstock, and Andrew R. Polovin, 48, of Island Lake, were both charged with two felony counts of endangering the life of a child […]