Categories: Chicago

Parents held to $10 million bail in case of son’s murder

Crystal Lake Boy’s parents have been held on $5 million bond each following murder charges of son.

The parents Joann Cunningham and Andrew Freund Sr. have been charged with the murder of their son Andrew ‘AJ’ Freund.

Joann is 36-years old and Andrew is 60. AJ was 5-years old.

Just one day after the Crystal Lake couple were charged with murder of their 5-year old son, Illinois judge has set the bail of $5 million each for both parents.

Joann and Andrew appeared separately before McHenry County Jail on Thursday morning. In that hearing, the prosecutors brought up serious charges against them.

They told Judge Mark Gerhardt that the dad, Freund, had allegedly beat up AJ and forced him into a cold shower.

AJ had been reported missing about a week ago. The authorities had looked for him and they dug up a body believed to be of AJ.

The prosecutors had demanded about $10 million for each parent but the judge ordered for $5 million.

When the charges were being read against Joann, she started crying while Freund sat silent.

Joann was charged with five counts of first degree murder, four counts of aggravated battery, two counts of aggravated domestic battery and one count of failure to report a missing or child death.

Freund was charged with about similar charges.

Freund Sr. was charged with five counts of first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated battery, one count of aggravated domestic battery, two counts of concealment of homicidal death and one count of failure to report a missing or child death.

The judgement means that both parents would have to post about $528,000 each to get out of jail and would have to be subjected to electronic monitoring.

Both can’t meet each other and must stay away from kids under 17. They would be subject to testing if they post the bond.

Shawn Genzone

Senior writer at the Chicago Morning Star

Recent Posts

76ers Add Anfernee Simons on Two-Year Deal

The Philadelphia 76ers continued reshaping their roster Thursday, agreeing to a two-year, $12.3 million contract with free agent guard Anfernee…

4 hours ago

Chicago Minimum Wage Rises to $17.05

Chicago’s minimum wage increased to $17.05 per hour on July 1, 2026, for employers with four or more workers, as…

2 days ago

White Sox Beat Orioles Behind Montgomery Double

Colson Montgomery delivered a key go-ahead double in the eighth inning as the Chicago White Sox opened their seven-game road…

3 days ago

Chicago unveils 2026 Gospel Music Festival lineup

Chicago officials have announced the lineup for the 2026 Chicago Gospel Music Festival, which will return to Millennium Park as…

1 week ago

White Sox seek sweep, division lead vs. Guardians

The Chicago White Sox will look to complete a three-game sweep of the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday afternoon after securing…

1 week ago

Could Caleb Wilson be the Bulls’ next cornerstone?

As the 2026 NBA Draft approaches, North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson is drawing increasing attention as one of the premier…

2 weeks ago

This website uses cookies.