The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services took the younger brother of a missing Cyrstal Lake child into custody and released Friday a timeline of interactions revealing a troubled history with the suburban family.
Authorities said their search for the missing child remains focused on the home. They also asked area residents to "search your property" and report anything suspicious to police. Crystal Lake authorities said Andrew "AJ" Freund, was last seen around 9 p.m. Wednesday in the 0-100 block of Dole Avenue.
DCFS' involvement the missing boy and his family began with his birth in 2013 and continued on and off through the end of 2018, DCFS communications director Jassen Strokosch said. The last contact between DCFS child protection staff and Andrew’s family was in December of 2018, he said, while investigating allegations of abuse and neglect.
Below is timeline highlighting interactions between DCFS and Andrew’s family.
Timeline:
10/16/2013 Investigation into allegation of neglect against mother - INDICATED
Andrew is born with opiates in his system.
11/12/2013 DCFS takes Andrew into protective custody.
11/14/2013 Andrew is placed in a foster home.
6/12/2015 Andrew returns home.
4/21/2016 Case is closed.
03/21/18 Investigation into allegations of neglect by father and mother – UNFOUNDED
Mother agrees to reenter treatment.
12/18/18 Investigation into allegation of abuse and neglect against mother – UNFOUNDED
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4/18/2019 Younger brother of Andrew is in another home under a DCFS safety plan.
