Community group honor AJ Freund's memory with daily activities

McHenry County activists are encouraging community members to tie blue ribbons to trees, lamp posts and street signs in honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month - and the anniversary of the murder of 5-year-old AJ Freund.

The ROAR for AJ Facebook group was created in memory of the Crystal Lake boy who authorities say was beaten to death by his parents on April 15, 2019. Though plans for an in-person gathering were canceled this week because of the coronavirus pandemic, group founder Tracy Kotzman said members are honoring AJ's memory with small, daily activities throughout the month.

"Let's keep the awareness up," a recent Facebook post says. "Each of us can do something visually to let AJ and the powers that be know we still expect and will fight for change."

So far, group members have painted rocks, put out pinwheels and displayed hearts in their windows, all of which involve the color blue to represent the child abuse prevention movement.

For more information, visit the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/roarforaj.