Cunningham's Ex-Boyfriend Wants 'Role' In Their Baby Girl's Life

MCHENRY COUNTY, IL — The father of JoAnn Cunningham's youngest child is interested in having a role in his 3-month-old girl's life, the man's court-appointed attorney said Monday, according to the Daily Herald. Daniel Nowicki Jr., 36, also known as the ex-boyfriend Cunningham, the Crystal Lake mother accused of beating her 5-year-old son AJ Freund to death in April, was not present at a brief Monday court hearing in McHenry County regarding the baby's care, the Chicago Tribune reported. Cunningham and AJ's father, 60-year-old Andrew Freund, made a short appearance in court Monday as authorities continue working to end their parental rights to their AJ's younger 4-year-old brother, and Nowicki and Cunningham's baby girl, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Cunningham gave birth to their daughter on May 31.

According to court records, a warrant for Nowicki's arrest was recently issued by authorities after he recently failed to appear in court on two occasions for an unrelated criminal case.

McHenry County family court Judge Christopher Harmon scheduled the next court date for Oct. 21.

More:

• Judge Approves Subpoena Of JoAnn Cunningham's Medical Records
• Paternity Results Reveal Father of Cunningham's Newborn
• Cunningham Berated, Beat AJ After He Wet the Bed: Warrant
• AJ Freund's Father Found Mentally Fit To Stand Trial: Report
• AJ Freund Died Three Days Before He Was Reported Missing: Report
• Police Release Initial Report in AJ Freund Case

Authorities believe AJ died April 15, three days before he was reported missing, according to court documents. His mother and father, 60-year-old Andrew Freund, are charged with his murder and are accused of forcing their son to stay in a cold shower for an extended period and beating him, which lead to the young boy's death.

Freund was found mentally fit in July to stand trial for murder in the April death.

Freund is also accused of burying his son in a shallow grave near Woodstock, Illinois, where the boy's body was later recovered. The five-year-old died of severe head trauma, authorities said.

Both Freund and Cunningham remain in custody at the McHenry County Jail on a $5 million bail.
Both have pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, aggravated battery of a child, concealing a homicidal death and reckless conduct.