Devil’s Den madman charged with slaughtering hikers in front of their little girls is a teacher who was accused of misconduct
The madman accused of slaughtering two parents defending their young daughters in Devil’s Den State Park in Arkansas is a teacher who has a record of moving from school-to-school after allegations of inappropriate behavior.
James Andrew McGann, 28, was due to start teaching Springdale Public Schools (SPS) next week – less than two weeks after he allegedly ambushed Clinton David Brink, 43, and his wife, Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, hone a hiking trail last Saturday and stabbed them to death while the girls fled to safety.
“This individual has not at any time come into contact with Springdale students or the families we serve,” SPS Superintendent Dr. Jared Cleveland said, according to 5 News.
And it wouldn’t be the first time the alleged killer had been around kids – McGann has teaching certificates for early childhood education through middle school in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas, the outlet reported.
McGann previously taught at an elementary school in Texas, according to parents – who claim that he was forced to resign after alarming behavior toward young girls in class.
“My son and several students witnessed Mr. McGann being inappropriate with little girls in the class and reported it to the principal at the time,” wrote Sierra Marcum on Facebook, claiming to be a parent of one of the suspect’s former students.
“Mr. McGann was allowed to resign without consequence and statement was put out saying there was no evidence of inappropriate behavior,” she added. “He was then allowed to continue teaching in other districts in Oklahoma and Arkansas.”
Marcum also gave a chilling account of McGann, telling the Associated Press three years ago he was the “most standoffish teacher she had ever met.”
“Pretty cold. You could ask him a question, and he would give you a one-word response,” the mother said. “Overall just pretty disinterested in his students.”