Police believe an Illinois couple who reported their 5-year-old son missing last week killed him days earlier by beating him and forcing him to stand in a cold shower for an extended period of time, according to court documents released Thursday.
The allegations are included in a criminal complaint that outlines first-degree murder, aggravated battery and several other charges against Joann Cunningham, 36, and Andrew Freund Sr., 60, in the death of Andrew "AJ" Freund. A judge on Thursday set bail at $5 million, meaning each parent would have to post 10%, or US$500,000, to be released from jail.
Investigators say they found the body a few miles from the family's Crystal Lake home based on information provided by Freund. Crystal Lake is about 50 miles northwest of Chicago. The couple's brief court appearance Thursday came exactly a week after Freund triggered a massive search on April 18 when he called 911 to report that the couple hadn't seen their son since bedtime the night before. Police believe the boy was killed April 15, according to the criminal complaint.
Crystal Lake police also have repeatedly been called to the family's house. Officers in police reports described finding filthy living conditions, broken windows, evidence of drug use and the overpowering smell of dog feces.
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