Teacher Erin McLean Who Allegedly Had Sex With Teen Sean Powell Has Apparently Fled With Her Two Sons Update 10-28-08

The Erin McLean story just gets worse each day. Erin was a teacher accused of having an affair with a high school student (Sean Powell). Her husband, Eric McLean, apparently found out and is accused of killing the young student. Erin McLean has checked out of a mental hospital and has disappeared with her two sons. Erin and her two sons, ages 11 and 8, have been missing since Sept. 15. (Photo courtesy of A.P.)

Attorney Gary Blackburn said his client, Erin McLean is emotionally distraught but not dangerous. "Erin's undergoing enormous pressure... She's unable to get or keep jobs. Anything she does is interpreted in a certain way. I fear for her. Anyone in that state, you don't know what might happen," said Blackburn.

Eric McLean is represented by Bruce Poston. Eric McLean has been charged with second-degree murder after he apparently shot Sean Powell on March 10 as he sat in his car in front of the McLeans' home. Powell had been an English student of Erin McLean. Eric McLean filed for divorce and contends that the shooting was an accident. He is free on bail. Trial is set for Jan. 14. Speculation is that Erin McLean may be heading to California to meet someone she met on the Internet. (Hope it is no one from Legal Pub!)

Poston said, "These boys are in danger. For now, this is the first time both families agree she is too unstable to have these boys."

Erin apparently was recently fired from a Nashville school amid new allegations of improper conduct with a student. Her attorney speculates that she is frustrated trying to find a new job and that "...there's two ways to deal with it - fight and flight. She chose the latter."
Update 11-29-07 Apparently, Nashville attorney, Gary Blackburn has shared with the A.P. that Erin McLean is in another state with friends and has enrolled her eight- and 11-year-old sons in school.

Update: 7-4-08: Keep in mind, no matter what actually happened that day, Sean Powell did not deserve to die!
Update 9-11-08: The jury found Eric McLean guilty of the lesser charge of reckless homicide! They deliberated 11-and-a-half hours. Eric McLean, 33, was charged with first degree murder. Fortunately for him, Eric was found not guilty of first or second degree murder or voluntary manslaughter. While he faces between two to four years in prison, he's eligible for probation and no prison time since he doesn't have a prior record. He'll be free on bond until his sentencing.
Update 10-28-08: "The boys are headed back to Tennessee," according to defense attorney Bruce Poston confirmed Wednesday. Erin had been accused of fleeing with the boys after she was accused of faking her way into a teaching job at a private Christian school last year. 4th Circuit Court Judge Bill Swann has approved visitation between the boys and their father. Allegedly divorce attorney Steve Sharp helped find Erin McLean in Austin. She apparently has a new 18-year-old friend. At a recent hearing Erin McLean apparently denied most of the allegations that have been made against her. She said she was on the run to avoid the media. at Erin McLean apparently fled with the boys when she wound up in trouble in Nashville and not because of Eric's legal problems. Erin McLean apparently insisted that the teenager who had been staying with her and the boys was just a "temporary helpmate." The boys have been ordered into the temporary custody of Eric McLean's mother, Tanya McLean. custody arrangement. Eric McLean faces sentencing next month before Judge Mary Beth Leibowitz.

Update 4-23-09: Back in the later part of 2008, A Knox County judge sentenced Eric McLean to 4 years in jail which was reduced to 47 days of additional jail time. The reduction in actual time served occurred because of sentencing guidelines concerning his conviction of reckless homicide involving Sean Powell's death. The guideline less the 43 days already served reduced the jail time to 47 more days. Eric began serving his time immediately and should now be out of jail serving the rest of his time "on probation." Judge Mary Beth Leibowitz actually did extend McLean's probation to 12 years at the request of prosecutors. If McLean violates any of the terms of probation, he may be required to serve the full four years in jail. Good luck to Eric and a sincere wish for closure for loved one's of Sean Powell who continue to mourn his death.

Update 4-24-09: And for those of you interested in the ongoing custody and visitation saga, Erin McLean's was sentenced her to 95 days in jail as part of her conviction on 17 contempt charges involving visitation and no contact orders. (For those keeping score, that's about five days more than Eric served for reckless homicide.) By most accounts, Judge Bill Swann was not impressed with Erin's failure to obey orders. Eric McLean was represented by Steve Sharp. Erin was represented by Brandy Slaybaugh. More judges ought to enforce visitation like Judge Swann and perhaps there would be a lot more joint parenting as a result.

Erin pleaded the fifth in court. She apparently contacted the children two times when the court issued a no contact order. There are possibly other violations by Erin of family law orders and therefor one or more additional contempt motions could be heard by the judge in the future.