Crystal Lake

Father of Missing Crystal Lake Boy Seen Getting Into Police Car

The father of a missing five-year-old boy in Crystal Lake was driven away from his home by undercover police on Saturday afternoon, the latest turn in a saga that has been ever-evolving this week.

Around 1 p.m. Saturday, undercover police officers arrived at the home of Andrew Freund, the father of missing five-year-old Andrew Freund Jr., and announced that they had a warrant. The officers were seeking the elder Freund’s help in finding his son, and after a short time he got into the back of a police car, without handcuffs, and left the home.

Freund Sr. did not respond to reporters’ questions as he got into the police car.

Authorities have been searching for the missing five-year-old since Thursday, covering hundreds of acres of land and water. That search has also been focused on the home where his parents say that the boy was last seen after going to sleep on Wednesday night.

Police say that they do not believe that the boy was abducted, and they do not believe that he left the residence on foot, according to preliminary investigations.

On Friday, it was revealed that the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services had taken the boy’s younger brother into custody, and documents were released revealing a troubled history for the suburban family, including allegations of neglect against the missing five-year-old, whom authorities say was born with opiates in his system.

As of Saturday afternoon, police have declined to name any suspects in the case, but authorities say that the boy’s parents have stopped cooperating with the investigation.

For now, the community is rallying together, hoping that the young boy is found safe. A vigil is expected at Main Beach in Crystal Lake on Saturday night, where residents are planning to light candles and pray for the safe return of the young boy.

“I just think everyone is trying to come together, and hopes for the best outcome,” Happy Hour Yoga owner Nancy Meyers said.

Clients at Meyers’ yoga studio gathered together Saturday to write notes to the missing child and his family.

“(We want) to let him know we’re thinking about him and we’re worried about him,” one of the studio’s clients said.

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