The parents of Andrew “AJ” Freund, a 5-year-old Illinois boy, killed their son after he lied about soiling his pants, according to newly released court documents.’
The body of “A.J.” was found on April 24, a week after he went missing, in a shallow grave about seven miles from his family’s home in Crystal Lake.
His parents, JoAnn Cunningham and Andrew Freund Sr., were later arrested and charged with murder.
The tragic story of AJ Freund has touched millions of hearts across the United States
Now, more heartbreaking and scary details are reported in this tragic case.
Police said they obtained forensic evidence from a cell phone, with which they confronted parents Joann Cunningham and Andrew Freund Sr..
The parents then gave more information, which ultimately led to the recovery of the boy’s body.
The body was “buried in a shallow grave wrapped in plastic,” police said on a press conference.
Prosecutors cited by Fo5 said AJ’s parents forced their son “to remain in a cold shower for an extended period of time and/or struck A.F. on or about his body, knowing such acts would cause the death of A.F.”
Police later said that Freund, who is known as Drew, blamed his son’s injuries on the boy’s mother and said she started hurting AJ after the boy lied about soiling his pants.
“Drew also said that he believed AJ died on Monday morning after spending a prolonged time in a cold shower,” an affidavit, obtained by the Chicago Tribune, stated.
“Drew explained he wanted Joann to stop with the hard physical beatings and do some less violent form of punishment. Drew said cold showers was decided (as the alternative). Drew said on or about … 4/15/19, AJ had lied about soiled underwear and he was subjected to a cold shower. Drew said he helped AJ out of the shower after he’d been there approximately 20 minutes, and put AJ to bed ‘cold, wet, and naked.’”
“Drew said Joann got up and checked on AJ and that was when she got Drew and used Drew’s phone to search for child CPR. Drew advised at some point that he believed AJ had died,” the affidavit stated.
“Drew said the next day he took AJ’s body to the basement and stored him in a tote. He said on the night of 4/17/19 he placed Andrew inside of several trash bags, placed the body in the trunk of his car, and drove him to an area in Woodstock. Drew said he dug a shallow grave for AJ, placed him in it, covered it with straw, and left,” it added.
