What follows is all my opinion based on my experiences. Given the geographic location and local culture of where this crime occurred, I would guess that folks just don't know what is and is not appropriate to talk about with reporters,and that they are heavily influenced by being the center of attention and wanting to be involved, help, and be "in the know."
I'm thinking of how reporters would be held in esteem (they are on TV, they are important, you want to talk to reporters).
I am thinking of how the attention would feel, to folks that are usually not paid attention to.
I am thinking of how people might feel, after being victimized (or feeling they were victimized) by the CPS system.
I am thinking of how men sometimes react when domestic stuff happens. i.e. father who's wife leaves with kids sometimes gives up, feels powerless, and struggles to navigate the system. Add in financial woes, and I can see how a year could go by without seeing the kids.
And then you have the child-rearing practices in communities of poverty, low education, and rural south. (i.e. the video others have referenced of cookie decorating where the AW calls a son a "douche" because he dropped a cookie. Very typical way of fathers interacting with sons in this kind of a setting. It's tough love, rough, kind of rude.). Parenting to make your kids tough. (I am talking from my own experience in similar communities, watching my dad's family, and being a teacher).
I have no doubt that AW would be considered a good solid father in his community.
I also have no doubt that if you transplanted him into a middle-class community in a city, he would stand out like a cactus.