Police: Investigation into Crystal Lake boy's disappearance still focused on family home
The investigation into the disappearance of Andrew "AJ" Freund, the 5-year-old Crystal Lake boy reported missing Thursday, continues to focus on the family home and the people who last saw or had contact with him, police said in an update of the case Monday morning.
There is no indication AJ was abducted and there have been no arrests in the boy's disappearance, police said. Investigators continue to review evidence, leads and tips as they surface.
Andrew's mother, JoAnn Cunningham, is no longer cooperating with police, while father Andrew Freund spoke with detectives Saturday afternoon, authorities said. Cunningham's attorney, George Kililis, said she stopped cooperating on his advice, because he believes police may view her as a suspect.
Freund said Sunday he is continuing to search the neighborhood surrounding his house and "has full faith" in local police and federal authorities investigating the boy's disappearance.
Police also searched Lippold Park on Monday.
AJ was reported missing Thursday morning from his house on the 0-100 block of Dole Avenue. His parents told police they last saw AJ about 9 p.m. Wednesday. When they woke up Thursday morning, the boy was gone, they told police.
Crystal Lake police are working with the FBI and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services has been involved with the Freund family since 2013, when AJ was born with opiates in his system, according to media reports.
The department has investigated allegations of abuse and neglect at the home from 2015 through December 2018, and, after AJ's disappearance last week, the agency placed his younger brother in another home. A hearing is scheduled Tuesday afternoon at the McHenry County courthouse on the status of the younger son, according to Cunningham's attorney.
Andrew is roughly 3 feet, 5 inches tall and weighs 70 pounds. He has short, blond hair. He was last seen wearing a blue Mario sweatshirt and black sweatpants, police said.
Anyone with information is urged to call the Crystal Lake Police Department at (815) 356-3620 or send an anonymous tip by texting CLPDTIP along with any information to 847411 (TIP411).