1 Year Since AJ's Death: Paint A Rock, Hang A Ribbon

CRYSTAL LAKE, IL — The Roar for AJ group is continuing to roar one year after the death of 5-year-old AJ Freund of Crystal Lake. The group, headed by Tracy Kotzman, has been an advocate for change in the state's handling of child abuse cases as well as change within McHenry County's Department of Children and Family Services.

Authorities say AJ Freund, 5, was placed in a cold shower and brutally beaten by his parents during the evening of April 14. He was put to bed and reportedly died at some point overnight. Authorities believe AJ was not reported missing until three days after his death.

His body was found days later in a shallow grave near Woodstock, and his parents, JoAnn Cunnigham and Andrew Freund, were charged in connection with his murder.

Cunningham has since pleaded guilty to the murder and is expected to appear for sentencing in June. Freund is next expected in court on June 19 for a status hearing.

• New Details Released Following Cunningham's Guilty Plea

Meanwhile, the Roar for AJ group is calling on local residents to commemorate AJ and also continue to raise awareness regarding child abuse. The group is asking people to tie a blue ribbon to a tree or lamp post in their neighborhoods or paint "awareness rocks," which Kotzman suggested could then be placed in an area where they'd likely be spotted by others.

Kotzman suggested painting the rocks blue or including "AJ" on the rock -- something to commemorate AJ or Child Abuse Awareness Month, which is recognized in April. Kotzman added that anyone who spots a rock around town is encouraged to relocate it to another prominent location as a way to commemorate AJ and spread the word regarding issues surrounding the state's child welfare system, according to a post on the Roar for AJ Facebook page.

"Let's keep the awareness up, don't let this child to have died in vain," Kutzman wrote on the Facebook page. "We can't get together for a demonstration but each of us can do something visually to let AJ and the powers that be know we still expect and will fight for change and that will not stop."

More via the Roar for AJ Facebook page

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• AJ Belonged To All Of Us: Answers Sought After Boy's Death
• Maybe Mommy Didn't Mean To Hurt Me': DCFS Report Released
• Thousands Say Goodbye To AJ At Public Visitation