Former DCFS supervisor in AJ Freund case makes court appearance

One of the former child welfare workers who oversaw a 2018 investigation into the family of slain Crystal Lake boy AJ Freund appeared in court Wednesday morning.

Former Illinois Department of Children and Family Services supervisor Andrew Polovin, 48, of Island Lake made a brief appearance at the McHenry County courthouse in Woodstock, where his case was continued to June 2.

Polovin and another former DCFS worker, Carlos Acosta, a Woodstock resident who also serves on the McHenry County Board, were arrested in September. Both were charged with child endangerment and reckless conduct on the basis that they allowed AJ to be placed in circumstances that threatened his life and health. Each of the men has pleaded not guilty to all counts.

Polovin's attorney Matthew McQuaid said in court Wednesday that he has gathered enough information about the criminal case to begin speaking with the McHenry County state's attorney's Office about future steps.

Potential state witnesses so far include the doctor who examined AJ on Dec. 18, 2018, several officers with the Crystal Lake Police Department and FBI, and investigators from the McHenry County state's attorney's Office, records show.

Assistant McHenry County State's Attorney Randi Freese additionally noted in court Wednesday that prosecutors are in the process of obtaining an expert, though she did not specify further.

Polovin was the supervisor assigned to Acosta's 2018 investigation of a large bruise on AJ's hip. That investigation came into question again after AJ's murder, for which his mother, JoAnn Cunningham.

AJ's father, Andrew Freund Sr., was sentenced in September to 30 years in prison for aggravated battery of a child, involuntary manslaughter and concealment of a homicidal death.

Acosta is scheduled to make his next court appearance on May 19.