Paternity Results Reveal Father of Cunningham's Newborn

CRYSTAL LAKE, IL — Paternity results revealed during a Monday court hearing show Andrew Freund, 60, is not the father of a baby born to Joann Cunningham while in custody at the McHenry County Jail. Both Freund and Cunningham remain in custody on a $5 million bail for allegedly beating their son, 5-year-old A.J. Freund, to death in April after forcing him to sit in a cold shower.

The DNA test shows Daniel Nowicki Jr., 36, is the father of the girl, a source told the Chicago Tribune.

The girl was taken into custody by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services following her birth in May.

Her father has a lengthy criminal history. He was living at 94 Dole Avenue, the home where AJ Freund was allegedly murdered in April, in December 2018 when he was arrested for aggravated battery for kicking a nurse in the stomach while she was performing her official duties, according to court records. It's unclear if he was living at the home at the time of AJ's death.

Nowicki was sentenced to two years of probation May 22 in the aggravated battery case, but probation was revoked June 11 after he allegedly failed to take his prescribed medications. Joann Cunningham gave birth to their daughter May 31.

Freund and Cunningham appeared in court on Monday where the paternity results were revealed, according to the Chicago Tribune. Prosecutors are trying to revoke parental rights for Freund and Cunningham's 4-year-old son, who is also in DCFS custody.

Cunningham was trying to regain custody of him when she was arrested for AJ's murder on April 24, according to the Daily Herald.

The paternity results could affect where the newborn daughter is placed, according to the Daily Herald. Nowicki's intentions regarding the child were not brought up in court on Monday.

"There's a lot of due process involved and steps you have to take," James D. Wallis, the county's court administrator, told the Daily Herald. "It's complicated."

Nowicki remained in custody as of late Monday, according to online jail records.

Related:

• Cunningham Berated, Beat AJ After He Wet the Bed: Warrant
• Police Release Initial Report in AJ Freund Case
• AJ Freund Died Three Days Before He Was Reported Missing: Report
• AJ Freund's Father Found Mentally Fit To Stand Trial: Report