BREAKING: New details regarding the father who took the life of five of his children and his wife.
On June 1st in Iowa, 52-year-old Ryan Willis McFarland, took the life of his wife and five children. The children ranged in age from 13 to 32.
As police tried to talk him down, McFarland took his own life as well. However, during the crime, one child was able to escape.
A neighbor told authorities about 10 minutes before the crime began, she heard the father say, "Don't worry about money. Everything goes away when you die." The neighbor also stated that money may have been a concern for the couple as they held weekly yard sales.
McFarland had a dark past. About 15 years ago, in August of 2011, he was blamed for the death of an infant in his care.
This was at a daycare that the couple owned. Allegedly he left an eight-month-old boy sleeping in a crib. According to reports, the baby was placed on his stomach with his head propped up by a pillow, and he smothered himself.
He took a plea deal the following year, which led to the charges being dismissed.
In September of 1994 in Illinois, he was convicted of burglary and attempted armed robbery. In 2010, he was found guilty of third-degree theft.
At this time, authorities still have not provided a motive for the crime. However, they did say they are speaking to the surviving child at this time to try and figure that out.
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