A.J. Freund's Mother, Jailed for Allegedly Killing Son, Is Expecting Another Baby

What will happen to the child when it is born? Inside Edition spoke to an expert.

The mother of A.J. Freund Jr., who's charged in her son's death, is expecting another child. 

A.J. was found dead in Illinois Wednesday, about a week after he was first reported missing. Both of his parents, Andrew Freund Sr. and JoAnn Cunningham, have been charged with multiple counts of murder in little A.J.'s death.

Court documents filed by prosecutors, obtained by Inside Edition, allege that A.J. was "forced to remain in a cold shower for an extended period of time" and then beaten repeatedly, causing his death. The child was then buried in a shallow grave near Woodstock on April 15, three days before he was reported missing, the documents state.

Freund and Cunningham were taken into custody Wednesday and made their court appearances Thursday, where they were ordered held on $5 million bonds.

Cunningham, who cried throughout the hearing, is seven months pregnant, prompting questions about what will happen to her unborn child. 

Inside Edition spoke to Eric Sussman, a former Chicago-area prosecutor who said that once born, the child will be placed in the care of the Illinois Department of Child & Family Services.

"She will give birth and likely have only 24 hours to 48 hours with her newborn before she'll have to give it up," Sussman said. 

At a somber candlelight vigil for A.J., members of the community gathered to pay tribute to the little boy. 

"There are no words for this little boy," neighbor Kim Zingrone told the Daily Herald. "I felt compelled to be here because I have children and grandchildren. I don't understand it."

RELATED STORIES