Wear Blue for AJ: Funds Pour In For Boy's Funeral

CRYSTAL LAKE, IL — The Crystal Lake community is doing its part to memorialize 5-year-old AJ Freund, who was found dead Wednesday after a weeklong search. On Friday, everyone is asked to wear blue as both a tribute to AJ and his "beautiful smile" and in recognition of the firefighters, police officers and volunteers that worked around the clock searching for him after he was reported missing April 18. AJ's parents were charged Wednesday with his murder hours after his body was recovered from a shallow grave near Woodstock, Illinois.

Outside AJ's home, residents left balloons, stuffed animals and flowers. The Crystal Lake Police Department on Thursday afternoon let the community know they planned to remove the items from the lawn due to forecasted rain and turn the items over to AJ's family, including his little brother, in good condition.

'AJ Belonged To All Of Us': Answers Sought After Boy's Death

At least one GoFundMe has been set up to help bring in funds for AJ's funeral. As of late Thursday, over $8,000 had been raised for the funeral costs. Any additional funds will go toward helping AJ's younger brother, Parker, and his unborn sibling. Parker is staying with "loving family members," according to the GoFundMe.

His mother, Joann Cunningham, is seven months pregnant. Both Cunningham and Freund have been charged in connection with AJ's murder.

The GoFundMe was set up by Kim Clausen of McHenry, Illinois, who knows AJ's older brother. Donations can be made here.

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