Months after Andrew AJ Freund disclosed his mother’s abuse to an Illinois doctor, he tragically lost his life. Now, his parents face murder charges. In December, an anonymous hotline tip led the police to check on Andrew’s well-being. They discovered a severe bruise on the five-year-old’s hip. When questioned, Andrew initially blamed the family dog, but in the emergency room, the doctor suspected something more sinister. The doctor’s report mentioned the possible causes of the bruise, including the dog, a belt, or a football. Sadly, the lack of evidence led to the case’s closure.

Four months later, Andrew was found dead, his body wrapped in plastic in a shallow grave. His parents, Andrew Freund Sr., 60, and JoAnn Cunningham, 36, now face murder charges. A pathologist determined that Andrew died from head trauma caused by a blunt force injury.

The Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) had a history with the family, with 17 unannounced visits between June 2015 and March 2016. DCFS recently received another hotline call, coinciding with the parents reporting Andrew missing. The subsequent investigation revealed the boy’s grave and a troubled history involving drug abuse and neglect.