UPDATE: The parents of Andrew "AJ" Freund, the 5-year-old boy missing from Crystal Lake, Illinois were charged with murder Wednesday after police said they recovered what they believed to be the young boy's body. Read more here.
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Wednesday marked one full week since Andrew "AJ" Freund was last seen.
The missing 5-year-old boy's parents told authorities that they put him to bed at their home in northwest suburban Crystal Lake at around 9:30 p.m. on Apr. 17.
The following morning, AJ's father Andrew Freund Sr. called police to report that his son was not in the house and that they had canvassed the neighborhood, went to a local park, checked an area gas station and called his school - but AJ was nowhere to be found, according to the 911 call released Tuesday. [[508995462, C]]
Police and first responders descended on wooded areas and ponds in Crystal Lake Tuesday as they continued their search for AJ. Police said stormy weather had forced them to abruptly end Monday's search of Lippold Park - close to the Freund home on Dole Avenue.
Officers were seen on foot while Illinois State Police piloted a plane over the area to help those searching the ground on Tuesday afternoon.
Authorities from area fire departments were also seen scanning several ponds and smaller bodies of water in the area, including the water in Veteran Acres Park.
Meanwhile, McHenry County State's Attorney Patrick Kenneally urged anyone who may know something to come forward. Kenneally said the worst thing someone can do in this case is conceal the truth.
“We will literally be working on this case every day until we find AJ or get justice for him," he said.
Police have asked the public for any video surveillance from the area the day AJ went missing.
"This would include video from home surveillance devices like the Ring Home Security System," police said in a release Tuesday.
Authorities said they're looking for video taken between 7 a.m. on April 15 and 9 a.m. on April 18. Anyone who may have footage related to the investigation is asked to email jmattson@crystallake.org.
In the days since AJ was reported missing, police have focused their search on the family’s Crystal Lake home, saying they do not believe the child was abducted.
"We have a missing child," Andrew Freund Sr. told dispatchers in the 911 call made Thursday morning.
The audio reveals the father told police he "woke up [Wednesday] morning" and his child was gone.
Andrew Freund Sr. said he last saw his son around 9:30 p.m. "when he went to bed," but could not find him anywhere that morning.
"I have no idea where he would be," he continued. The missing boy's father continues to stay at the family’s home, and met with investigators over the weekend, according to police.
"I have no control over what people think," Andrew Freund Sr. said. "I just want my son to come home, OK."
Police say Andrew's mother Joann Cunningham is not cooperating.
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“When it became clear law enforcement was not conducting a missing child investigation, was not issuing an Amber Alert, had stopped searching for AJ, and considered her a suspect, we did advise her to stop all communications with law enforcement and she did so at our request," he said.
Both parents appeared Tuesday in McHenry County Circuit Court for a hearing as they seek to regain custody of their other son, who was taken into custody by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services on Thursday after AJ was reported missing. The hearing was continued, with the next hearing set for Monday at 9 a.m. CT.
Crystal Lake police told NBC 5 that there are no suspects in the case.
They also say that police never stopped searching for Andrew and continue to work as hard as they can.
The child is about 3 feet, 5 inches tall, weighs roughly 70 pounds and has short, blonde hair. He was last seen wearing a blue Mario sweatshirt and black sweatpants.
Anyone who may have information on his whereabouts is being asked to call (815) 356-3620. They can also text information along with the word CLPDTIP to 847411.
