DCFS Supervisor Could Face Charges In AJ Freund Case

MCHENRY COUNTY, IL — While no Department of Children and Family Services workers have been charged to date in connection with mismanagement of the AJ Freund case, that may soon change. Prosecutors in McHenry County are looking into filing a child endangerment charge against former DCFS supervisor Andrew Polovin, 47, according to the Northwest Herald.

Freund was brutally beaten to death in April 2019, court documents alleged. Authorities say his parents killed him inside his home at 94 Dole Avenue as a punishment for lying about soiled underwear.

Robert Diviacchi, an investigator for the McHenry County State's Attorney's Office, filed a search warrant earlier this month requesting the training transcripts, personnel file and employee evaluations for Polovin, according to the article. Polovin closed a 2018 investigation into a bruise on AJ's hip and recently filed court documents allege did not properly investigate the incident before protective custody lapsed.

The affidavit also mentions DCFS employee Carlos Acosta and alleges Polovin committed medical records, a corresponding Crystal Lake police report and a home safety checklist in the December 2018 case file.

DCFS received a hotline report on Dec. 18, 2018, regarding environmental neglect for both boys. According to the report, Andrew had bruises, welts and cuts. Police were called to the home and saw a large bruise on Andrew's hip.

They also reported the ceiling was falling down, the floor was torn up and noticed a smell of urine in the children's bedroom.

That same day, a physician at the emergency room examined Andrew and could not determine how his bruise was caused. The doctor reported the injury could have been caused by a dog, belt or a football.

During the examination, Andrew told the doctor, "Maybe someone hit me with a belt. Maybe mommy didn't mean to hurt me."

• 1 Year Later, AJ's Memory Lives On
• 'Maybe Mommy Didn't Mean to Hurt Me': DCFS Reports Released

Freund's parents, Joann Cunningham, 37, and Andrew Freund Sr., 61, were charged with first degree murder in connection with the boy's death. Cunningham has since pleaded guilty to the murder charge and remains behind bars at the McHenry County Jail as she awaits sentencing.

Freund remains in custody on a $5 million bail and is expected to return to court in July.

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