Former Indianapolis Colts defensive lineman Daniel Muir and his wife Kristen Muir were arrested on Wednesday after their missing 14-year-old son, Bryson, was found at their residence in Logansport, Indiana. Bryson had been reported missing for two weeks, and concerns about his well-being escalated leading up to the police operation.
Discovery and Arrest
The sequence of events leading to the arrest began on June 16 when Bryson's grandmother, Cheryl Wright, contacted police in Garfield Heights, Ohio, reporting her concerns about Bryson's welfare. She described the physical abuse Bryson had allegedly suffered, 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 State Police had been attempting to establish contact with Daniel and Kristen Muir amid increasing concerns for Bryson’s safety. The parents backed out of a scheduled meeting with Indiana State Police just an hour before it was supposed to take place, raising further alarms. This prompted authorities to issue a statewide Silver Alert, indicating Bryson might be in "extreme danger and may require medical assistance."
Operation at Straitway Goshen
The police operation took place early Wednesday morning at 6 a.m., targeting the Muir's 59-acre property known as "Straitway Goshen." The property is affiliated with the extreme religious movement Straitway Truth Ministry, led by Charles Dowell from Lafayette, Tennessee. Daniel Muir is identified as the leader of the Indiana location of Straitway.
Steven Glass, who observed the operation, described it as "peaceful," confirming that multiple people were detained and questioned, but only Daniel and Kristen faced arrest. "Ultimately, everything went well and everybody is safe, including Bryson," Glass commented.
The Muirs' property, purchased in March 2020 for $450,000, is owned by the "Servant Leaders Foundation." The nature of this property and its link to the religious movement have added layers of complexity to the unfolding narrative.
Legal Charges and Custody
Daniel Muir faces charges of domestic battery, a Class A misdemeanor, and obstruction of justice, a felony. Kristen Muir is also charged with obstruction of justice. The obstruction charges highlight the difficulties investigators experienced when attempting to communicate with the couple and locate Bryson during the period he was missing.
With the successful culmination of the search operation, Bryson was confirmed to be "safe and well" and has been placed in the custody of the Cass County Department of Child Services. This resolution provides some relief after the intense search and concerns for Bryson's immediate safety.
NFL Connections
Daniel Muir’s background ties him to a career in the NFL, where he played as a defensive lineman from 2008 to 2011. His connection to the league also includes relationships with other former players. Robert Mathis, another former NFL player, revealed his involvement with Straitway Goshen during an interview in 2020, further intertwining the sports world with this unfolding story.
The details surrounding Bryson’s disappearance, the apparent abuse, and the subsequent police operation have cast a significant spotlight on Daniel Muir’s post-NFL life and his affiliations. The arrests of both Daniel and Kristen Muir on serious charges mark a troubling chapter in a story that merges elements of sports, family, and complex legal matters. As the judicial process proceeds, the focus remains on the welfare of Bryson and the implications of this case for all involved.