(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- In McHenry County, where 5-year-old A-J Freund lived, a group of volunteers is getting some attention from people who want to help.
The group is called CASA of McHenry County. CASA stands for Court-Appointed Special Advocate.
As Senior Advocate Manager Jorie Siemens puts it, on a juvenile case, they are the eyes and ears of the judge.
The tragic story of Freund has people asking how something like that can be prevented.
"We are definitely getting a lot of community support, asking how they can become involved with CASA, whether it be through being an advocate, holding a fundraiser for us or just volunteering for other opportunities within our organization,” Siemens said.
Siemens cannot comment on whether there had been any involvement by CASA in the Freund case -- for instance, after AJ was placed in a foster home and later returned to his family, presumably with a court's permission.
Siemens said in a juvenile case, a judge will appoint a CASA volunteer. Each juvenile is also represented by an attorney who is guardian ad litem and by DCFS.