The body of a missing 5-year-old Illinois boy was discovered in a field nearly a week after his parents reported his disappearance, according to officials.
Andrew “AJ” Freund was found dead in a rural area Wednesday near his Crystal Lake home, as authorities removed a shovel, mattress and other items from the property, the Chicago Tribune reported.
Police had been searching for the young boy for six days when he was located in the Hennen Conservation Area in Woodstock.
His parents claimed he vanished after they put him to bed around 9 p.m. last Wednesday, but investigators later announced his mother was unwilling to participate in the investigation.
“As of today’s date, JoAnn Cunningham, the boy’s mother, continues to be uncooperative with police,” the Crystal Lake Police Department said Monday in a statement.
AJ’s younger brother was placed in protective custody last week as authorities investigated the case, the Chicago Tribune reported.
