Court Upholds Conviction of Former DCFS Worker in A.J. Freund's Death

Appellate court rules worker's failure to protect child contributed to 5-year-old's tragic demise.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 11:03am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a small child's handprint on a dark, textured surface, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conveying a sense of vulnerability and the aftermath of abuse.A haunting reminder of the tragic consequences when child welfare systems fail to protect the most vulnerable.Crystal Lake Today

A state appellate court has upheld the conviction of a former Illinois child welfare worker, Carlos Acosta, in connection with the 2019 death of 5-year-old A.J. Freund in Crystal Lake. Prosecutors said Acosta ignored clear signs of abuse and returned the child to a dangerous home, contributing to the boy's eventual murder by his parents.

Why it matters

The case highlights the critical role child welfare workers play in protecting vulnerable children and the consequences when that duty is neglected. It also raises questions about DCFS oversight and accountability measures to ensure the safety of children under the agency's care.

The details

Evidence showed Acosta was contacted by Crystal Lake police in December 2018 after officers observed a large, unexplained bruise on A.J.'s body. Despite a history of concerns in the home, including drug abuse and unsafe living conditions, Acosta returned the child to his mother without implementing safety measures or pursuing court intervention. A.J. was killed four months later, found in a shallow grave after being subjected to a pattern of abuse allegedly by his parents.

  • In December 2018, Crystal Lake police contacted Acosta about a large bruise on A.J.'s body.
  • Four months later, in April 2019, A.J. Freund was killed by his parents.

The players

Carlos Acosta

A former Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) employee who was convicted of endangering the life and health of a child in the death of A.J. Freund.

A.J. Freund

A 5-year-old boy from Crystal Lake, Illinois who was killed by his parents in 2019 after Acosta returned him to their home despite signs of abuse.

JoAnn Cunningham

A.J. Freund's mother, who pleaded guilty to his murder and was sentenced to 35 years in prison.

Andrew Freund Sr.

A.J. Freund's father, who pleaded guilty to felony charges of aggravated battery of a child, involuntary manslaughter, and concealment of a homicidal death, and was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

Randi Freese

The McHenry County State's Attorney who said the ruling affirms that this was an entirely preventable tragedy.

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What they’re saying

“Today's ruling affirms what the evidence showed from the beginning—that this was an entirely preventable tragedy. Those entrusted with protecting children must be held to the highest standard. When that duty is ignored, the consequences can be irreversible. We remain committed to seeking justice and ensuring accountability in cases involving the most vulnerable members of our community.”

— Randi Freese, McHenry County State's Attorney

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide in the coming weeks whether to allow Carlos Acosta to remain free on probation or order him to serve the remainder of his six-month jail sentence.

The takeaway

This case underscores the critical importance of child welfare workers upholding their duty to protect vulnerable children, even in the face of difficult circumstances. Failures to act on clear signs of abuse can have devastating consequences, and this ruling sends a strong message about the need for greater accountability within the child welfare system.