Robert McCoppin – Page 26

Defendants Carlos Acosta, left, and Andrew Polovin listen to testimony during the fourth day of their trial, Sept. 14, 2023, at the McHenry County Courthouse.

Ex-child welfare workers don’t testify in their trial related to death of 5-year-old AJ Freund; closing arguments expected next month

September 15, 2023 at 1:21 p.m.

Two former child welfare workers declined to testify Friday in their trial on charges they failed to protect 5-year-old A.J. Freund before his death at the hands of his mother...

Carlos Acosta and defense attorney Rebecca Lee listen to testimony during the trial for the former Illinois Department of Children and Family Services employees Acosta and Andrew Polovin on Sept. 14, 2023, at the McHenry County Courthouse.

AJ Freund could have been saved from beating death if DCFS workers had asked for help, doctor and prosecutors testify

September 14, 2023 at 7:04 p.m.

Five-year-old A.J. Freund's life could have been saved if child welfare workers had alerted other specialists about his case, two former county prosecutors and a doctor testified Thursday. "Something should...

Supervisor denies DCFS workers were ‘lazy’ at endangerment trial in death of 5-year-old AJ Freund

September 13, 2023 at 7:34 p.m.

Questioning by defense attorneys Wednesday led to suggestions that former child welfare workers did more to investigate an abuse allegation involving 5-year-old AJ Freund than was reflected in their reports....

Andrew "AJ" Freund playing during a family event in McHenry County.

DCFS workers could’ve saved 5-year-old AJ Freund from beating death if they’d acted on abuse complaint, administrator testifies

March 12, 2024 at 11:56 a.m.

A former child welfare supervisor expressed surprise when he saw a picture of a large red bruise on 5-year-old AJ Freund, but suggested acceptance of the boy's explanation that the...

AJ Freund plays with toy cars during a family event in McHenry County.

Two ex-DCFS workers go on trial for child endangerment in murder of 5-year-old AJ Freund in Crystal Lake

September 11, 2023 at 7:36 p.m.

When 5-year-old AJ Freund was beaten to death in 2019, outrage focused on his parents, who were convicted and sentenced to prison. Attention then shifted to the handling of the...

The grounds crew preps the grass on Sept. 5, 2023, at Soldier Field before the Bears season begins against the Packers on Sunday.

Chicago Bears’ search for new stadium continues as a new season begins — with roadblocks in all directions

September 9, 2023 at 8:25 a.m.

The Chicago Bears Fan of the Year is eager for a new stadium. Corey Schieler, who was named top fan by the team last year, has sat through frigid temperatures...

Violet Reese, from left, Nayeli Hernandez and Sam Ploshay at Rise Lounge and Smokeasy on Sept. 6, 2023, in Mundelein.

Miracle in Mundelein brings legal cannabis consumption to concerts in what could be part of an emerging trend

September 8, 2023 at 5:00 a.m.

The smell of illicit marijuana typically floats through crowds at rock and rap concerts, but this weekend will mark a new experience in Illinois: a cannabis concert where smoking weed...

Eyvonne Bender was killed in Morton Grove in 1979.

44 years after 2 teens were killed in Morton Grove, family and friends hope bigger reward will crack case, while cops seek DNA leads

September 2, 2023 at 5:00 a.m.

In 1979, teenagers in Morton Grove often hung out by a river in a patch of woods. They would smoke pot there or just goof around, generally away from authority...

Mental health funding may be jeopardized by faulty tax referendums in suburbs

August 29, 2023 at 3:48 p.m.

Funding for treatment of substance abuse, mental health and developmental disability in a half-dozen suburban townships and Will County may be in jeopardy due to concerns that the voter referendums...

Broken sections of the rail and overgrown grass make up some of the horse track at Horizon Farm preserve on Aug. 18, 2023, in Barrington Hills.

Horse lovers trying to save racetrack at Horizon Farm Forest Preserve, while bird and nature lovers question the impact

August 19, 2023 at 5:00 a.m.

On a group tour of Horizon Farm Forest Preserve and its rolling pastures, a visitor joked that it would make a great par 3 golf course. Nature lovers shuddered at...

All Stories