Former NFL Player Daniel Muir Arrested Along with Wife; Missing Son Found Safe
Former Indianapolis Colts defensive lineman Daniel Muir, along with his wife Kristen, was arrested on Wednesday following a search warrant executed at their home in Logansport, Indiana. The operation concluded with the discovery of their missing 14-year-old son, Bryson, who had been reported missing for two weeks.
Bryson is now under the custody of the Cass County Department of Child Services. Authorities have confirmed that the teenager is "safe and well." Daniel Muir faces charges of domestic battery, a Class A misdemeanor, and obstruction of justice, a felony, while Kristen Muir faces a charge of obstruction of justice.
The incident escalated on June 16 when Bryson's grandmother, Cheryl Wright, contacted police in Garfield Heights, Ohio. Concerned for her grandson’s well-being, she reported that Bryson had confided in her about being abused, attributing his injuries to his father. "His face was battered. When I got him, he had a black eye and busted lip. His whole face was swollen. I can only imagine how many times he had been hit in the face for it to be like that," Wright stated.
Indiana investigators initially struggled to establish contact with Daniel and Kristen Muir. The couple evaded attempts at communication and backed out of a scheduled meeting with Indiana State Police just an hour before it was to take place. As a result, a statewide Silver Alert was issued for Bryson, indicating he might be in "extreme danger and may require medical assistance."
The police operation to apprehend the Muirs and search their property began early Wednesday morning at 6 a.m. Steven Glass, who described the operation as "peaceful," led the effort. The Muirs’ property, known as "Straitway Goshen," spans 59 acres and was the target of the search. The property is associated with the extreme religious movement, Straitway Truth Ministry, led by Charles Dowell in Lafayette, Tennessee. Daniel Muir is identified as the leader of Straitway’s Indiana location, which was purchased in March 2020 for $450,000 by the "Servant Leaders Foundation."
During the police operation, multiple individuals were detained and questioned, though only Daniel and Kristen were arrested. "Ultimately, everything went well and everybody is safe, including Bryson," Glass confirmed.
Daniel Muir’s NFL career spanned from 2008 to 2011, primarily with the Indianapolis Colts. His involvement with the Straitway Goshen community was confirmed by another former NFL player, Robert Mathis, in a 2020 interview.
This story shines a spotlight on the complex lives athletes may lead post-retirement, often beyond the public's glaring eye. In this unfolding situation, the focus now shifts to ensuring Bryson's safety and well-being while legal proceedings continue for his parents.