Andrew “AJ” Freund Missing

Andrew “AJ” Freund, was last seen at bedtime, about 9 p.m., on Wednesday in the family home in the first block of Dole Avenue. After waking up Thursday morning and being unable to find him in the home, Andrew’s parents contacted police and reported the boy missing, police said in a news release.

FBI agents who specialize in missing children cases are working closely with Crystal Lake detectives, police said.

Authorities were seen coming out of the family home Thursday carrying bags. Police dogs also were at the scene. Dole Avenue was blocked off by police vehicles.

DCFS has been involved with Andrew since birth, releasing this statement: “The department’s involvement with Andrew Freund began with his birth in 2013 and continued on and off through the end of 2018. The last contact between DCFS child protection staff and Andrew’s family was in December of 2018 while investigating allegations of abuse and neglect.”

DCFS released a timeline highlighting interactions between DCFS and Andrew’s family:

•In October 2013, DCFS investigated an allegation of neglect by the mother and found there was credible evidence to substantiate the allegation. Andrew was born with opiates in his body.

•The following month, DCFS took Andrew into protective custody. He was placed in a foster home and not returned to his own home until June 2015. The case was closed in April 2016.

•In March 2018, DCFS investigated allegations of neglect by the father and mother, but concluded they were unfounded. The mother agreed to re-enter treatment.

•On Dec. 18, 2018, DCFS investigated another allegation of abuse and neglect by the mother, and the boy was temporarily removed by police, but he was returned to the home after the allegations were ruled unfounded. There was no evidence to support allegations of deplorable conditions in the home, and bruising on the child was attributed to the dog.

Andrew’s younger brother was placed in another home under a DCFS safety plan.

Police said they were reviewing all tips and leads. The department said it has no reason to believe there is a threat to the community.

I’ll update more as info comes out!

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