CRYSTAL LAKE, Ill. _ Mourners were converging in great numbers on a Crystal Lake funeral home Friday to pay their respects to a 5-year-old boy whose tragic death and the circumstances surrounding it have left them broken-hearted and wondering why more wasn't done to save him.
Visitation for Andrew "AJ" Freund began at 1 p.m. at Davenport Family Funeral Home and Crematory and will last until 8 p.m. By 12:30 p.m. hundreds of people had formed a line and were waiting to enter to offer their final goodbyes.
Among them was Elissa Emmert of Crystal Lake, who was holding and rocking her 21-month-old son, Levi. She said she came to "show support to AJ. My heart breaks for what happened to him."
The funeral home was expecting thousands of people to attend the memorial visitation for AJ, who was killed last month and whose parents were charged with his death after his body was found in a shallow grave near Woodstock.
Blue ribbons adorned poles and trees along the street. There were several posters with pictures that showed AJ with angel wings and were inscribed with the words "In loving memory of AJ." A flag was at half-staff at one local business.
At the nearby Twisted Stem floral design business, a big blue balloon archway was on display. Owner and designer John Regan had just finished making his 1,000th blue bow, which he has been giving to members of the community for them to display since AJ was reported missing April 18.
"I'm helping turn the city blue today," he said "It's just a simple gesture."
Many mourners, some who brought their children, questioned how, as authorities allege, the parents could beat and kill their own son. They also decried what they said were the failures of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and begged for change.
The Chicago Tribune has found that DCFS, which has had contact with the family over several years, missed signs of trouble despite hotline calls and police reports that documented squalid living conditions, substance abuse, domestic violence, suspicious bruises and, at times, uncooperative parents. DCFS' acting director said the agency is reviewing its "shortcomings" in the case and would take steps to address those issues.
"It's unfortunate," said Sarah Dakota of Crystal Lake, who with her 2-year-old daughter, Skylar, waited patiently in the ever-growing line. "Losing a life in general, but especially so young. Hopefully, DCFS standards go up, people are held accountable. Maybe AJ will be the face of change."
Lovey Sauers of Crystal Lake asked why other local agencies and community groups were not contacted by DCFS to help in AJ's case.
She said "there are so many resources" that could have been called to help including shelters, CASA, local churches, schools and Safe Haven at Willow Creek Church.
"Crystal Lake is a family community," Sauers said. "It's a good community. To have this at our back door, it's shameful and it's disturbing."
Michelle Murphy of Cary attended because she wanted to pay respects to a boy who it appeared to her no one wanted.
"If they didn't want him, they're other things they could have done," she said. "Don't kill him. There are other things you could do."
Since AJ's death, people in Crystal Lake and far beyond have offered condolences and provided donations and services.
"There has been an outpouring of donations and people wanting to help," funeral director Kim Nordin said.
The funeral home is providing its services at no cost, Nordin said. Among others pitching in, she said, are Office Max in Crystal Lake, which is providing the prayer cards, and Countryside Flower Shop, also in Crystal Lake, which is donating some of the main floral pieces. Rosati's Pizza and Texas Roadhouse in Crystal Lake are donating food for family, police and volunteers. Jewel in Crystal Lake is donating water and food, Nordin said.
Nordin said she has received calls from people across the country including Arizona, New York and Wisconsin who say they are sending flowers for the services.
One local woman has crocheted angels and another has created lapel pins in honor of AJ that they will give out at the services.
Marjorie Lehmann, director of administration at Trappist Caskets of Peosta, Iowa, said the business is donating an oak casket, made by monks of the New Melleray Abbey child casket ministry.
The Abbey also will plant a tree in AJ's name to replenish the wood used to make his casket.
Crystal Lake Deputy Police Chief Thomas Kotlowski said an honor guard will stand at the boy's casket throughout the visitation.
"(So) someone is protecting him because those who were supposed to didn't," Kotlowski said.
AJ was reported missing by his parents April 18. He was found buried in a shallow field near Woodstock, about seven miles away, a week later. His parents, Andrew Freund and JoAnn Cunningham, have been charged with murder and are being held in McHenry County Jail in lieu of $5 million bail.
AJ is remembered in an online obituary as a doting and loving big brother to his 4-year-old brother and his mother's unborn child. He is described as "loving, affectionate and outgoing ... a virtual ray of sunshine to all who knew him, with a giggle and laugh that was uniquely his."
An online account remains active to raise money for AJ's siblings. As of Friday afternoon, it had raised more than $64,000.
Donations may be made at https://www.gofundme.com/d62g4d-rest-in-peace-aj.
Overflow parking for the visitation was available at Willow Creek Community Church, 100 S. Main St., in Crystal Lake, with bus service to and from the funeral home.
The funeral for AJ will be private.
