Police release details in murder of 5-year-old boy

Police say an Illinois couple who reported their 5-year-old son missing last week killed him days earlier by beating him and forcing him to remain in a cold shower for an extended period of time.

Those allegations are laid out in a criminal complaint filed Thursday against Joann Cunningham and Andrew Freund Sr. They face first-degree murder, aggravated battery and several other charges in the death of Andrew "AJ" Freund.

During a brief court hearing Thursday, a judge set bail at $5 million each.

According to the complaint, AJ was killed about three days before his father called the police to report that his son had disappeared. A body believed to be AJ's was found Wednesday, wrapped in plastic and buried in a shallow grave in a wooded area a few miles from the family's Crystal Lake home.

Crystal Lake police Chief James Black said during a news conference Wednesday that investigators were led to the body after interviewing AJ's parents overnight and presenting them with cellphone evidence.

The parents each face five counts of first-degree murder and other charges.

Authorities say they reported him missing last Thursday and told officers they last saw him at bedtime the night before. Authorities say an autopsy could happen as early as today.

With the Associated Press