Politics & Government

Crystal Lake Fines Cunningham, Freund For Upkeep at Home

The Crystal Lake Public Works Department has been mowing the lawn and taking care of upkeep at 94 Dole Avenue since the couple's arrest.

A May 9, 2019, photo of 94 Dole Avenue almost a month after 5-year-old AJ Freund was allegedly killed by his parents.
A May 9, 2019, photo of 94 Dole Avenue almost a month after 5-year-old AJ Freund was allegedly killed by his parents. (Amie Schaenzer)

CRYSTAL LAKE, IL — The city of Crystal Lake plans to fine the parents of AJ Freund for upkeep to their Dole Avenue home while the duo is behind bars. The Crystal Lake Public Works Department stopped by the property, which is in foreclosure, on May 24 to mow the lawn and take care of the bushes, the Northwest Herald reports. It was at that home police say 26-year-old Joann Cunningham and 60-year-old Andrew Freund, Sr., murdered their 5-year-old son last month. Both are being held at the McHenry County Jail on a $5 million bail.

Crystal Lake Director of Community Development Michelle Rentzsch told the Northwest Herald the couple will be fined every time a public works employee needs to take care of upkeep at the home. The amount of those fines will depend on what type of work that needs to be done.

Andrew Freund appeared last month in an orange jumpsuit and shackles for a foreclosure hearing regarding the Dole Avenue home where authorities believe Freund and Cunningham placed their son in a cold shower for an extended period of time on April 15 and then beat him. The boy died of severe head trauma, authorities said.

Find out what's happening in Crystal Lake-Caryfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

During an April 24 hearing, Andrew Freund asked for the foreclosure matter to be continued to a later date and that all paperwork in the matter be sent to the McHenry County Correctional Facility. According to court documents, the couple owed $98,980 on the home as of July 2018.

Freund and Cunningham are next expected in court for the foreclosure June 20 and they are due in court on the criminal charges June 18.

Find out what's happening in Crystal Lake-Caryfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.