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Former DCFS worker seeks new trial after being convicted in ‘sham investigation’ leading up to AJ Freund’s murder

A former DCFS worker has requested a new trial, arguing he did not receive a fair trial, after he was found guilty of mishandling abuse investigations of AJ Freund before the Crystal Lake boy’s murder. Carlos J. Acosta, 57, of Woodstock, and Andrew R. Polovin, 51, of Island Lake, were both charged in September 2020 […]

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Former DCFS worker faces up to 10 years in prison after being convicted in ‘sham investigation’ leading to AJ Freund’s murder

A former DCFS worker faces up to 10 years in prison but could also get probation after a judge found him guilty of mishandling abuse investigations of AJ Freund before his murder. Carlos J. Acosta, 57, of Woodstock, and Andrew R. Polovin, 51, of Island Lake, were both charged in September 2020 with two counts […]

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Judge finds former DCFS worker guilty, supervisor not guilty of mishandling AJ Freund abuse investigations

A judge found a former DCFS worker guilty and his supervisor not guilty of mishandling abuse investigations of AJ Freund leading up to the Crystal Lake boy’s 2019 murder. Carlos J. Acosta, 57, of Woodstock, and Andrew R. Polovin, 51, of Island Lake, were both charged in September 2020 with two counts of endangering the […]

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Trial to resume Oct. 13 for 2 former DCFS workers charged with mishandling AJ Freund abuse investigations

A trial will resume on October 13 for the two former DCFS workers accused of mishandling abuse investigations of AJ Freund leading up to the Crystal Lake boy’s murder. Carlos J. Acosta, 57, of Woodstock, and Andrew R. Polovin, 51, of Island Lake, were both charged in September 2020 with two counts of endangering the […]

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2 former DCFS workers decline to testify, closing arguments to take place next month in AJ Freund neglect trial

The two former DCFS workers on trial for mishandling abuse investigations of Crystal Lake boy AJ Freund declined to testify Friday and a judge has scheduled closing arguments for next month. Carlos J. Acosta, 57, of Woodstock, and Andrew R. Polovin, 51, of Island Lake, were both charged in September 2020 with two counts of […]

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Witnesses testify during day 4 of neglect trial that AJ Freund would have been alive if 2 DCFS workers took further action

A doctor and an attorney testified Thursday they believe AJ Freund would be alive today if the two DCFS workers accused of mishandling his abuse investigations took protective custody of him. Carlos J. Acosta, 57, of Woodstock, and Andrew R. Polovin, 51, of Island Lake, were both charged in September 2020 with two counts of […]

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Defense attorneys argue 2 DCFS workers were overworked, question expert witness during day 3 of AJ Freund neglect trial

Defense attorneys intensively questioned an expert witness and argued the two DCFS workers accused of mishandling the AJ Freund investigations were overworked as the trial entered its third day. Carlos J. Acosta, 57, of Woodstock, and Andrew R. Polovin, 51, of Island Lake, were both charged in September 2020 with two counts of endangering the […]

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Retired DCFS administrator testifies on second day of trial for 2 former DCFS workers involved with AJ Freund

A retired DCFS administrator testified the entire second day of the trial of two DCFS workers accused of mishandling the AJ Freund investigations and said that the former workers failed to do their jobs. Carlos J. Acosta, 57, of Woodstock, and Andrew R. Polovin, 51, of Island Lake, were both charged in September 2020 with […]