AJ Freund case: Defense rests in trial of ex-DCFS workers

WOODSTOCK, Ill. (WLS) -- The defense rested its case Friday in the case against two former DCFS employees charged in connection with the death of five-year-old A.J. Freund.

Witnesses testified Thursday say that A.J. would still be alive if DCFS employees had done their job properly.

The now former-employees are accused of failing to investigate alleged child abuse.

The five-year-old was killed by his parents in 2019.

Defense attorneys maintain the two workers had no way of knowing the boy faced potential danger.

Former DCFS case worker Carlos Acosta and former supervisor Andrew Polovin were each with the agency for about 25 years. They were let go after an inspector general's report found they ignored warning signs in A.J.'s case.

On Friday, Acosta and Polovin declined to testify.

The judge in the case announced the date for closing arguments will be announced next Tuesday.

A.J. Freund's tortured life was cut short more than four years ago, when his mother, JoAnn Cunningham, beat him to death and his father, Andrew Freund, tried to cover it up.

AJ Freund: Crystal Lake home of murdered boy demolished