Grundy Reporter

Two individuals formerly employed with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services were released on bond after being charged in connection with the 2018 death of AJ Freund in Crystal Lake. 

The Morris Herald-News reported the two former social workers are accused because they “in a willful and wanton manner, knowingly caused or permitted [AJ] … to be placed in circumstances that endangered AJ’s life or health." 

Carlos Acosta is a McHenry County Board member and DCFS veteran employee. Andrew Polovin was Acosta's supervisor. Both men paid $2,000 for their release on bond, which was set at $20,000 each.

"A first offense of child endangerment in Illinois typically is charged as a misdemeanor, which often results in less than one year in jail. Those charges can be upgraded to felony offenses punishable by prison time if the alleged offense led to the death of a child, according to Illinois law. A conviction of a Class 3 felony child endangerment charge could result in a two- to five-year prison sentence," the Morris Herald-News reported. 

Attorney Peter Flowers, who filed the lawsuit on behalf of the estate of AJ against the two men, said he believes these arrests are overdue. 

“These arrests have been a long time coming and serve to reinforce our claims about the need to hold not only these individuals accountable but also highlight the need for changes in the agency itself,” Peters told the Morris Herald-News in an email. “We all heard the tapes and saw the pictures and videos. We know AJ’s death was entirely preventable. These two DCFS employees who were supposed to help him ignored every red flag, even ignoring reports of abuse from the local police, medical professionals, and AJ’s neighbors."