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A.J. Freund's parents forced the 5-year-old into a cold shower for an extended period of time, and the 5-year-old was repeatedly struck all over his body, leading to his death, McHenry County prosecutors alleged in court Thursday morning.
Missing for nearly a week, the search for A.J. ended in a rural field, with his parents in jail and accused of dumping the 5-year-old's body in a shallow grave about eight miles from the family's Crystal Lake home.
Who failed A.J. Freund? His parents are arrested and charged in his death and accused of hiding his body. But they weren't the only ones involved in his life.
The parents of a 5-year-old Crystal Lake boy, who were charged with his murder, have prior criminal records, ranging from retail theft to battery.
Both of 5-year-old A.J. Freund's parents, Andrew Freund Sr. and JoAnn Cunningham, have been charged with murder, after a body believed to be the missing 5-year-old boy was found buried in a shallow grave near Woodstock, more than seven miles from his family's home in Crystal Lake.
"We know you are at peace playing in heaven's playground and are happy you no longer have to suffer."
A mumps outbreak has been reported in northwest suburban McHenry County, where eight people reportedly have the illness, according to the McHenry County Health Department.
The driver and two passengers, all in their 20s, were pronounced dead at the scene. Another 20-year-old suffered life-threatening injuries.
Water fountains are shut off at a Woodstock school after tests show elevated levels of arsenic.
The town of Woodstock -- the backdrop for the 1993 movie Groundhog Day -- is celebrating the film's 25th anniversary this weekend!
A bus crash was reported Thursday morning outside of Woodstock in McHenry County.
Human remains have been found near the Southern Illinois community where Beth Bentley, 41, disappeared in 2010. WBBM's Steve Miller reports.
Robert J. Gould has been charged with four counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child and six counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a victim under 13.
The suspect knocked a 4-year-old boy off his bicycle and tried to abduct him before being stopped by Good Samaritans.
A wedding reception guest was charged with slashing another man in the neck with a broken beer bottle in northwest suburban Woodstock.
Outbound Union Pacific Northwest train No. 601 struck the person at 2:02 a.m. just south of the Woodstock station at 90 Church St.
A man who was arrested after leading police on a chase told officers he didn't stop because he thought he was being filmed for a movie.
A 43-year-old man was killed in a hit-and-run crash Thursday night in northwest suburban Woodstock.
A paramedic was among three people taken to the hospital early Tuesday after a crash between a semi truck and a minivan in northwest suburban Woodstock.
Crews from 15 different fire departments responded and rescued people from their balconies. One person was transported to a local hospital.
Police have charged two men with burglarizing vehicles during October and November in northwest suburban Woodstock.
McHenry County's state's attorney-elect said prosecutors are investigating a traffic stop by a Woodstock police officer who has now resigned - a traffic stop where the officer said one thing and the dashcam audio showed another.
The very first police K-9 for the Woodstock Police Department, Brinx, died peacefully Wednesday.
After an argument with her ex-boyfriend outside a northwest suburban train station, a 60-year-old woman hit him with her car, knocking him several feet into the air, according to police.
A traffic stop on a vehicle with expired registration in northwest suburban Woodstock on Sunday led to drug charges after 17 pounds of marijuana was found in the vehicle.
Just weeks ago, After School Matters announced a partnership with the Obama Foundation to provide programs at the new presidential center.
Up to 600 educators are expected to attend the four-day Turning Point education event.
The three-game series wraps up Wednesday with Rockies LHP Sean Sullivan facing Cubs RHP Javier Assad.
Spencer Jones homered in the second inning, Ben Rice and Paul Goldschmidt each added a two-run drive in the fourth, and the Yankees rocked the White Sox 12-2 on Tuesday night.
Lots that sat empty for decades on the West Side of Chicago have been filled with single-family homes thanks to Habitat for Humanity.
Gov. JB Pritzker signed the eighth budget of his tenure on Tuesday as he and Illinois Democrats gear up for an election-year battle centered around affordability.
The FBI said it disrupted an attempt to attack Sunday's UFC America 250 event at the White House, with court records detailing an alleged plot to use small drones carrying explosives.
Former Chicago Ald. George Cardenas has jumped into the race for mayor. Cardenas kicked off his campaign on Tuesday in the Back of the Yards neighborhood.
The Chicago City Council Finance Committee will hold a hearing Monday on the city's parking meter deal.
The U.S. and Iran are expected to meet for a signing ceremony on Friday, June 19, in Switzerland, Pakistan's prime minister said.
An Illinois law banning "swipe fees" on taxes and tips — already delayed twice by lawmakers — appears to be on life support after a federal judge that once permitted it issued a permanent injunction against it this week.
A new study from the Cook County Treasurer's office underlines growing concerns about the impact the Illinois megaprojects bill could have on the county's property tax base and overall fiscal health.
As thousands of Chicagoans wrap up road trips over the Memorial Day holiday weekend, gas prices in the city have reached the highest levels seen in four years.
Consumer and environmental advocates said Monday that they found overcharges buried in the most recent rate-hike request by Nicor.
One week away from Memorial Day weekend and the unofficial start of the summer travel season, with gas prices remaining high, negotiations were set to resume Monday at the largest oil refinery in the Midwest.
Dr. Peter Stafford was working with a missionary group in the Congo when he came down with the virus last month.
While 330 Ebola infections are confirmed in central Africa and huge challenges remain, hundreds more suspected cases "have been cleared out," the WHO says.
June is World Infertility Awareness Month, and Northwestern Medicine on Monday shared the story of a woman who is celebrating the birth of her second child after a tumor disrupted her fertility.
The Centennial Park Aquatic Center in the southwest Chicago suburb of Orland Park has been closed to the public after two recent cases of E. coli infection.
Menopause can feel like a major turning point for millions of women, with symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, and brain fog can make women feel like their bodies aren't their own.
Daley's Restaurant, known as Chicago's oldest, has served Chicago's Woodlawn neighborhood for more than 130 years.
Walgreens is set to close in Chicago's Chatham neighborhood on Thursday, and there's growing concern about where families will get their medications.
The owners of Gene & Georgetti steakhouse are suing a concessions operator over their expansion at Midway International Airport.
DraftKings announced Monday that it is closing its sportsbook operation at Wrigley Field after only about two years.
After more than 80 years, there will be no Ann Sather restaurant location in the 900 block of West Belmont Avenue in Chicago's Lakeview community, effective in June.
Luke Skywalker's lightsaber from the "Star Wars" sequel "The Empire Strikes Back" is expected to sell for at least $1 million at an upcoming auction.
Rio de Janeiro's Military Fire Department said one of the helicopters crashed in the parking lot of a car dealership, where several electric vehicles were parked, igniting a fire.
Actress Sarah Jessica Parker addressed the Class of 2026 at Northwestern University at their commencement ceremony at the United Center Sunday.
Forty years ago last weekend, crowds turned out for the Chicago Blues Festival — an event studded with a roster of stars for a spectacle that's still talked about today.
Visitors will soon be able to check out the set from CBS' "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" in Chicago, at the Museum of Broadcast Communications.
The Hollywood and Entertainment Signature Auction will feature props from some iconic films from “The Wizard of Oz” to “Back to the Future.” The auction will run from July 13 to 17.
TSA says they’re expecting high volumes on Thursday, June 18, and Sunday, June 21. Travelers are being advised to arrive early, check with their airlines, and avoid packing any prohibited items.
The center hosted a one-day After School Matters songwriting class in the media center before Thursday's grand opening.
Wednesday brings two rounds of stormy weather that may blend into one in the Chicago area. Chief Meteorologist Albert Ramon has the latest in First Alert Weather.
Dozens gathered to protest the educators’ summit happening at the Lincolnshire Marriott Resort nearby, where there was a large and noticeable police presence.
Another tornado outbreak is possible in the Chicago area Wednesday with two more rounds of storms on the way.
The Obama Foundation announced a star-studded list of musical performers that will take the stage at the Obama Presidential Center grand opening ceremony Thursday.
A man and woman were found dead in Portage, Indiana, this past weekend from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by a generator.
Just weeks ago, After School Matters announced a partnership with the Obama Foundation to provide programs at the new presidential center.
Police say the suspect was known to police and was arrested just last week.
Kindbody entered into an agreement with a cryogenic storage facility in Massachusetts, but not all patients received the email.
A Chicago woman says a life insurance policy she paid into for 25 years was cancelled over a $112 shortfall that she never knew existed, and now, at 82 years old, she's uninsurable.
The Crisis Alternative Response Evanston, or CARE, team responds to calls that, before July 2024, would have been lumped into police calls.
The system will provide all heating, cooling, and ventilation for the high school's new physical education facilities and contribute to the school system, saving the district nearly $400,000 a year.
The forecast for a summer reopening of West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park is growing cloudy, as negotiations continue between the owners and landlord, after the safety net hospital abruptly shuttered its doors in March.
The three-game series wraps up Wednesday with Rockies LHP Sean Sullivan facing Cubs RHP Javier Assad.
Spencer Jones homered in the second inning, Ben Rice and Paul Goldschmidt each added a two-run drive in the fourth, and the Yankees rocked the White Sox 12-2 on Tuesday night.
Former NHL player Kyle Calder has died at age 47. The Alberta native spent a majority of his 10 years in the league with Chicago and also played for Philadelphia, Detroit, Los Angeles and Anaheim.
The Chicago Bulls have officially named Tiago Splitter as their new head coach.
Crow-Armstrong extended his on-base streak to 19 games with his second leadoff home run in three games, a 434-foot shot to center field off Michael Lorenzen.
A man from Chicago's south suburbs was sentenced to more than 33 years in prison last week for running an online chat group that trafficked in child pornography.
Chicago police on Tuesday released surveillance images of three attackers who they say beat a man on a downtown CTA Blue Line platform last week.
A man from Chicago's northwest suburbs was sentenced to 16 years in federal prison last week for trafficking drugs and guns, after he was caught in a sting a year and a half ago.
A man and woman were shot and wounded in an apartment complex in Joliet, Illinois, on Monday afternoon.
The FBI is involved in a sexual abuse investigation at a school in Aurora, Illinois, and is searching for more victims.
