Épisodes

  • System Failure — Why “Mandatory Reporting” Isn’t Protecting Our Kids In School
    Aug 8 2025
    System Failure — Why “Mandatory Reporting” Isn’t Protecting Our Kids In School

    You might believe that when a teacher raises alarm, the system responds. But the truth is far darker. In this opening episode, legal expert Eric Faddis exposes why mandatory reporter laws—meant to protect children—so often fail in practice.

    Across every U.S. jurisdiction, educators are mandatory reporters. By law, they must act the moment they reasonably suspect child abuse or neglect. They’re protected from legal consequences if they report in good faith, even if it turns out to be a false alarm.
    And yet—schools regularly sideline these cases. They "investigate internally" rather than alert law enforcement or Child Protective Services. They treat serious, albeit unproven, concerns as HR issues instead of safeguarding crises. Giving a teacher the benefit of the doubt becomes a shield for predators.

    This episode peels back the curtain on how internal investigations are weaponized to avoid legal liability and bad press—not to protect students. We ask: what happens when mandated reporting becomes optional by omission? What recourse exists when districts are legally—but not morally—allowed to remain silent?

    Eric breaks down the difference between policy and enforcement. He explains how fear of reputation damage or lawsuits keeps schools from doing what’s legally—and ethically—required.

    If you’re tired of hearing “teachers aren’t protected” while seeing kids remain unsafe, hit play—and let’s begin pushing back.

    Hashtags
    #MandatoryReporting #SchoolSafety #PassingTheTrash #ProtectOurKids #TrueCrimePodcast #EducationLaw #ChildProtection #EricFaddis

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    15 min
  • Classroom Coverup: Lap-Sitting Horror Unleashed - NJ Teacher's Chilling Shuffle Revealed!
    Aug 8 2025
    Classroom Coverup: Lap-Sitting Horror Unleashed - NJ Teacher's Chilling Shuffle Revealed! Brace for a nightmare in New Jersey's classrooms that will have you questioning every teacher hiring decision! We uncover the case of Jason Fennes, a former elementary school teacher from Bloomfield accused in 2010 at Montville Township Public Schools of inappropriate touching and lap-sitting with young girls aged 6-8, behaviors that made them feel uncomfortable and violated during story time or class activities. Multiple female students reported him touching their buttocks, thighs, and private areas under the guise of "helping," hugging them tightly, and isolating them in the classroom, with at least four families raising alarms to administrators. The district placed him on leave and investigated, but the probe concluded without substantiating criminal abuse, citing a lack of "corroborating evidence" beyond the children's statements—a common hurdle in child abuse cases where physical proof is rare. Instead of reporting the suspicions to the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCPP) or local police as mandated by New Jersey law for reasonable cause, the district opted for a confidential settlement in June 2010. Fennes resigned under an agreement that severely limited what Montville could disclose to future employers—only basic employment details like dates and title, with no mention of the allegations or investigation. This "hush contract" included a neutral reference letter, effectively erasing the red flags and allowing him to seek new positions without hindrance. Such deals are a hallmark of "passing the trash," designed to avoid defamation lawsuits or negative publicity, often negotiated with input from teachers' unions like the New Jersey Education Association to protect members' careers. This decision wasn't unique; a 2017 NJ.com investigation revealed dozens of similar cases across New Jersey, where districts chose quiet exits over transparency, influenced by fears of costly litigation and reputational harm in suburban communities like Montville, known for strong family ties and high property values tied to school quality. Fennes walked away with his teaching certificate intact, free to apply elsewhere. Just two months later, in August 2010, he was hired at Cedar Hill Prep School, a private K-8 academy in Somerset with about 200 students, known for its small classes and nurturing environment. The school's founder conducted what they called a thorough vetting, but the background check came up spotless—Montville's silence ensured no warnings surfaced. At Cedar Hill, the abuse not only continued but escalated in severity and scope. Over the next three years, he molested at least four young girls in his classroom, repeating and intensifying the patterns from Montville: Lap-sitting during reading sessions, inappropriate touching under desks or during "help" with art projects, and isolating victims by keeping them after class. Court records from his pleas detailed graphic incidents—one victim, a 7-year-old referred to as Child M in legal filings, alleged Fennes sexually assaulted her in February 2011 by touching her genitals under her clothing while she sat on his lap, pretending to read a book. Another girl reported him rubbing her thighs and whispering "you're special," creating a sense of secrecy. But Fennes' crimes extended beyond the classroom; as a basketball coach, he groomed a 15-year-old player with extra practice sessions, flirty messages, and emotional manipulation, building what she later described as a "relationship" that felt coercive. Between 2011 and 2013, he had sex with her multiple times, often in his car or secluded spots. The crimes came to light in 2013 when one Montville victim disclosed to a therapist, triggering investigations leading to his 2016 guilty pleas and 14-year sentence. Victims' stories reveal profound trauma—PTSD, anxiety from "weird touches." Suits like Child M v. Fennes led to Zurich denials, Supreme Court decline in 2020. Inspired 2018 S-414 banning "trash passing." Stats: NJ had 187 educator cases 2010-2017. Ties: Like Ostovich's shuffle (Episode 8). Fallout: Settlements undisclosed, protests. On X, calls for national laws. Watch the horror unfold—subscribe for more! Hashtags: #ClassroomCoverup #LapSittingHorror #FennesScandal #NJTeacherAbuse #SchoolShuffle #PredatorPassed #VictimStories #MandatoryReportFail #TrueCrimeNJ #StopTheTrash Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872
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    23 min
  • Devils Den EXCLUSIVE - He Asked About My Daughter, Woman With Close Ties To Andrew McGann Speaks Ou
    Aug 7 2025
    Devils Den EXCLUSIVE - He Asked About My Daughter, Woman With Close Ties To Andrew McGann Speaks Out
    Before Andrew McGann was accused of committing a brutal double homicide at Devil’s Den, he was sitting quietly in a salon chair, chatting about cats, complimenting a teenager’s soccer photo, and asking for a Brazilian blowout. In this exclusive interview, we speak with Katie—a seasoned hair stylist who saw McGann several times in the months leading up to the murders. What she shares is unsettling not because he did anything overtly threatening, but because of how utterly normal he seemed… until he wasn’t.
    Katie walks us through their first appointment in early 2024, describing McGann as quiet but chatty, oddly intense in photographs, and unusually curious about her daughter. He never crossed a hard line—but he hovered near them. There were awkward smiles, strange timing, and a final unplanned visit just weeks before his arrest—showing up unannounced after hours, asking for a haircut when no one else was around. It didn’t feel wrong… but it didn’t feel quite right either.

    This conversation dives into what it means to look back through the lens of hindsight. Katie didn’t know who she was looking at then—but now, she can’t forget his face. From his alleged inappropriate comments in the classroom to the moment she saw his mugshot while scrolling Facebook, this interview pieces together a chilling narrative of missed signals and public normalcy.

    In the wake of the Devil’s Den murders, questions swirl around how McGann was able to move from school to school, evade accountability, and remain unnoticed in communities that now feel betrayed. This interview offers a vital piece of that puzzle—a candid look at the kind of man who doesn’t seem dangerous… until the mask slips.

    Subscribe for more exclusive interviews, forensic analysis, and behavioral deep-dives on the Andrew McGann case and other ongoing investigations.

    HASHTAGS

    #AndrewMcGann #DevilsDenMurders #TrueCrimePodcast #HiddenKillers #TeacherTurnedKiller #HairStylistInterview #RedFlags #BehavioralAnalysis #TrueCrimeCommunity #DevilsDenCase

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    18 min
  • Big Breakdown How Devils Den Accused Andrew McGann's Predatory Behavior Was Passed From School To School
    Aug 7 2025
    Big Breakdown How Devils Den Accused Andrew McGann's Predatory Behavior Was Passed From School To School

    How did accused Devil's Den killer Andrew McGann repeatedly slip through the cracks of multiple school districts despite numerous warnings about his alarming behavior? Tony Brueski presents a critical breakdown exploring how systemic failures within school districts allowed McGann’s predatory behavior to quietly persist, shuttled from state to state without intervention. Revealing startling examples of internal investigations, withheld reports, and administrative silence, this deep dive exposes how loopholes and legal gaps may have tragically contributed to the Devil's Den murders. This episode is essential listening, shining a harsh light on the dangerous flaws that continue to put communities at risk.

    Hashtags:
    #DevilsDen #AndrewMcGann #PredatoryTeacher #SchoolSystemFailure #TrueCrime #CrimeInvestigation #EducationSafety #HiddenKillers #TonyBrueski #EducationSystem #CrimePodcast

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    45 min
  • Classroom Coverup: Coach's Sick Comments Exposed - Texas Football's Twisted Cover-Up!
    Aug 7 2025
    Classroom Coverup: Coach's Sick Comments Exposed - Texas Football's Twisted Cover-Up! Get ready for a jaw-dropping look at how Texas high school football culture shields predators in a way that will leave you furious and demanding change! We spotlight Kip McFarlin, a high school football coach at Orangefield Independent School District in East Texas during the mid-2000s, accused by six female students in 2005 of using sexually suggestive language, making lewd remarks in class and during practices, and telling one teenage girl that he'd date her if she weren't a student. These weren't isolated quips; reports described a pattern of inappropriate comments that made the girls feel uncomfortable, objectified, and unsafe, like joking about their bodies or implying romantic interest in ways that crossed every professional boundary. Parents got involved, alerting administrators and pushing for action, but the district's response was tepid at best—they investigated internally but instead of reporting to authorities or revoking his credentials as required under Texas mandatory reporting laws for reasonable suspicion of abuse, they allowed what officials later called a "graceful exit." McFarlin resigned quietly, receiving a neutral recommendation letter that omitted any mention of the allegations, essentially wiping his slate clean to move on without consequence. This decision wasn't made in a vacuum; it reflected the intense pressures districts face in football-crazed Texas, where coaches are often treated like local heroes, and firing one outright could invite union battles, defamation claims if the evidence wasn't ironclad, or community backlash that disrupts seasons and booster funding. So McFarlin walked away with his teaching certificate intact, free to seek new opportunities without any red flags following him. Fast forward to 2008: He lands a coaching job at Port Arthur Independent School District, about 20 miles away in the same region, after passing a background check that came up empty because Orangefield hadn't documented or shared the complaints. For three years, he taught and coached without incident—or at least none reported—but in 2011, the other shoe dropped: McFarlin was accused of having sex with a 16-year-old female student from his school. The relationship allegedly started with grooming—flirty texts, special attention during class—and escalated to multiple sexual encounters that exploited his position of authority. The victim came forward, leading to his arrest on charges of sexual assault of a child and improper relationship between educator and student, both felonies under Texas law. The trial revealed damning evidence, including witness testimonies and communications that showed McFarlin abusing his role, resulting in his conviction in 2012 and an eight-year prison sentence, plus lifelong sex offender registration. But the story didn't end there—the victim's family sued both districts in 2013 under the case Truong v. Orangefield Independent School District, alleging negligence for "passing the trash" and enabling the abuse at Port Arthur through their silence. They argued Orangefield's neutral reference hid the 2005 complaints, putting their daughter directly in harm's way. While the exact settlement amount wasn't publicized, such cases often result in substantial payouts—similar to the millions seen in other Texas abuse suits—and the litigation highlighted Texas' pre-2017 gaps in reporting laws, where "boundary violations" weren't always flagged as abuse. McFarlin's case didn't happen in isolation; it's emblematic of Texas' long-standing issues with educator misconduct, a state with one of the highest rates of teacher-student sexual relationships in the country, with over 2,500 charges since 2017 alone according to Texas Education Agency data, yet thousands more cases end in "administrative separations"—quiet resignations without charges or reports that allow predators to relocate. A 2016 USA Today Network investigation, which featured McFarlin prominently, uncovered hundreds of similar instances nationwide, where abusers hopped jobs after cover-ups, and in Texas, the probe revealed districts like Orangefield prioritizing reputation over safety, especially in sports programs where coaches wield outsized influence and football is king. Parents and victims in McFarlin's orbit have shared gut-wrenching stories of the lasting impact: The 16-year-old from Port Arthur endured not just the abuse but the trauma of testifying in court, facing cross-examination that questioned her credibility—a common tactic in these cases that revictimizes survivors—and dealing with lifelong trust issues, anxiety, and relationship difficulties that stem from the betrayal. Back in Orangefield, the six girls from 2005 felt validated by the conviction but frustrated that their warnings went unheeded, with one anonymous victim telling reporters she felt "dismissed" when administrators ...
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    18 min
  • Was Monster-Teacher Andrew McGann After The Brinks Two Children At Devils Den? FBI Expert Vet Thinks So
    Aug 7 2025
    Was Monster-Teacher Andrew McGann After The Brinks Two Children At Devils Den, FBI Expert Vet Thinks So

    Was the Devil’s Den killer really after the parents—or was it the children he wanted? In this chilling installment of Hidden Killers, retired FBI Special Agent Jennifer Coffindaffer joins Tony Brueski to explore whether the true target in the Devil’s Den double homicide was actually the victims’ two young daughters. McGann, a former teacher with a dark and questionable past, showed behavioral patterns that raise alarming questions.

    Coffindaffer draws on her background in behavioral profiling to explore how predators may fixate on perceived vulnerabilities and what the details of the attack—especially the sequence and victim selection—may reveal about the killer’s true intentions. McGann's teaching history, potential prior misconduct, and proximity to children through professional roles are examined with brutal clarity.

    We also revisit the crime scene timeline, including what the children reportedly witnessed, and how their actions may have prevented an even worse tragedy. Did McGann have a pattern? Was this part of a larger fantasy or fixation? Or was this the moment he acted on something long suppressed?

    This episode asks the tough, terrifying questions—and you’ll want to hear what our expert has to say.

    Hashtags:
    #AndrewMcGann #DevilsDen #FBI #TrueCrime #HiddenKillers #JenniferCoffindaffer #TonyBrueski #BrinksFamily #ChildEndangerment #BehavioralProfiling

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    28 min
  • Big Breakdown - Devils Den Witness Who ID's Vehicle & Hair Stylist Who Cut Andrew McGann's Hair Exclusive Interviews
    Aug 6 2025
    Big Breakdown - Devils Den Witness Who ID's Vehicle & Hair Stylist Who Cut Andrew McGann's Hair Exclusive Interviews

    Tony Brueski sits down exclusively with two critical witnesses in the Devil’s Den murder investigation. First, the eyewitness whose sharp memory and quick thinking helped authorities pinpoint the suspect’s vehicle. Then, hear from Adriana, the hairstylist whose seemingly normal workday turned surreal when accused killer Andrew McGann walked into her salon chair. From detailing the suspect’s unsettling demeanor to recalling the tense moments of his arrest mid-haircut, these exclusive interviews offer compelling, previously unknown insights. This is the raw, behind-the-scenes truth from those who unwittingly played pivotal roles in capturing a dangerous predator.

    Hashtags:
    #DevilsDen #AndrewMcGann #ExclusiveInterview #HairStylist #Eyewitness #TrueCrimePodcast #HiddenKillers #CrimeStories #CriminalInvestigation #TonyBrueski #BreakingCrimeNews

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    33 min
  • Classroom Coverup: Teacher's Deadly Rampage - Ignored Warnings That Led to Murder!
    Aug 6 2025
    Classroom Coverup: Teacher's Deadly Rampage - Ignored Warnings That Led to Murder! Prepare for a chilling true story that will make you question every school hiring process and background check! In this gripping episode, we dissect the case of Andrew McGann, a 28-year-old elementary school teacher who bounced between districts in Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas amid alarming red flags of favoritism toward female students and inappropriate comments that parents found deeply unsettling. It all started in spring 2023 at Donald Elementary in Lewisville ISD, Texas, where parents complained about his poor classroom management, but more alarmingly, about lapses in professional judgment—specifically, showing favoritism toward young girls, making odd comments like telling them "If you were older, I would love to marry you," or keeping some inside during recess while letting boys out, sometimes inviting the girls to eat lunch alone in his classroom. One incident involved a little boy crying and reporting feeling uncomfortable with how McGann interacted with the girls, including tickling or giving extra treats. Parents like Sierra Marcum, whose son was in his class, described his behavior as "eerie" and said her son came home upset, sensing something was off. Multiple families reported these issues to the principal, but the district investigated, placed him on administrative leave, and ultimately found "no outright evidence of abuse." Instead of reporting to authorities or flagging his teaching credential under mandatory reporting laws, they let him resign in May 2023 with a neutral reference—no police involvement, no mark on his record—just a quiet exit that allowed him to continue teaching without any hurdles. From there, McGann moved to Spring Creek Elementary in Broken Arrow Public Schools, Oklahoma, for the 2023-2024 school year, teaching fifth grade after passing a background check that came up clean because nothing was documented from Texas. He left voluntarily at the end of the year, citing an out-of-state opportunity, with no issues recorded. Then came a brief stint at Plano ISD back in Texas in August 2024, where he quit after just four days before even interacting with students—the district won't disclose why, but whispers from parents and media suggest old complaints from Lewisville resurfaced, prompting him to leave preemptively. Undeterred, he taught fifth grade at Northwoods Fine Arts Academy in Sand Springs, Oklahoma, from summer 2024 through May 2025, again without reported problems, though a former student and her mother later described him as "cool" at first but increasingly "off" toward the end. Finally, in early 2025, he relocated to Arkansas and was hired by Springdale Public Schools to start teaching on August 11—just days after his shocking arrest. But on July 26, 2025, McGann allegedly ambushed and stabbed Clinton and Cristen Brink to death on Arkansas' Yellow Rock Trail in Devil's Den State Park, in front of their two young daughters, in what authorities called a random, vicious attack with no clear motive. He confessed after being tracked via eyewitness tips and footage, charged with capital murder. His job-hopping screams "passing the trash"—each move relied on incomplete background checks that missed the "soft" complaints because nothing was officially reported. This fits classic grooming patterns: Building trust through favoritism, isolating kids, testing boundaries with comments and physical contact. Shocking stats show why it's so deadly—unreported suspicions let abusers escalate, per GAO reports finding repeat offenders average 73 victims if unchecked. This case ties directly to the series themes: Like Gary Gregor's multi-state abuses (Episode 5) or Kanyen Cole's recommendation despite flags (Episode 8). The fallout has been heartbreaking—the Brinks' GoFundMe raised over $100K for their orphaned girls, with tributes to the couple's kindness, while McGann's former schools face scrutiny and calls for investigations. On X, the outrage is palpable, with posts calling it "terrifying" and demanding interstate databases to prevent such tragedies. Watch to see how ignored warnings cost innocent lives and what we can do to stop it—hit subscribe for more hard-hitting revelations! (Word count: 612) Hashtags: #ClassroomCoverup #McGannMurder #IgnoredRedFlags #TeacherRampage #SchoolHiringFails #PredatorShuffle #ArkansasHorror #ProtectStudents #TrueCrimeTeacher #PassingTheTrashExposed Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872
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    22 min