Former Indianapolis Colts defensive lineman Daniel Muir and his wife, Kristen Muir, found themselves in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Arrested on Wednesday, the couple faced serious charges amidst a troubling situation involving their son, Bryson.
Missing Teen Found
The Muirs' 14-year-old son, Bryson, had been reported missing for two weeks before being discovered at their Logansport, Indiana home. During this desperate search, Indiana State Police decided to execute a search warrant at the Muir residence. This operation was triggered by a report from Bryson's grandmother, Cheryl Wright, who contacted the police in Garfield Heights, Ohio.
"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 revealed. According to her, Bryson confided that his injuries were due to abuse by his father.
Legal Repercussions
The police operation at the expansive 59-acre property known as "Straitway Goshen" was carried out at 6 a.m. Steven Glass, who was part of the operation, described it as "peaceful." The operation ended with both Daniel and Kristen being arrested. Daniel faces charges of domestic battery, a Class A misdemeanor, as well as obstruction of justice, a felony. Kristen is also charged with obstruction of justice.
Multiple people were detained and questioned during the operation, but ultimately, only Daniel and Kristen were arrested. "Ultimately, everything went well and everybody is safe, including Bryson," Glass added, confirming that Bryson was "safe and well" and is now under the custody of the Cass County Department of Child Services.
Religious Ties
The property searched, "Straitway Goshen," has deeper ties that extend beyond this incident. It is associated with the extreme religious movement, Straitway Truth Ministry, led by Charles Dowell from Lafayette, Tennessee. Daniel Muir is identified as the leader of the Straitway Indiana location. The property itself was purchased in March 2020 for a sum of $450,000 and is owned by the "Servant Leaders Foundation." In a 2020 interview, former NFL player Robert Mathis acknowledged his involvement with Straitway Goshen, adding another layer of intrigue to this multi-faceted story.
Backstory and Developments
The series of events leading to their arrest began on June 16 when Cheryl Wright made the initial contact with authorities. Following her report, Indiana investigators struggled to establish a line of communication with Daniel and Kristen. The couple even backed out of a scheduled meeting with Indiana State Police just an hour before it was due to occur.
The urgency of the situation was underscored by the issuance of a statewide Silver Alert for Bryson. The alert indicated that he might be in "extreme danger and may require medical assistance," heightening the urgency to locate him swiftly and safely. Thankfully, the police intervention saw a peaceful resolution with all involved parties, including Bryson, being safe.
Daniel Muir’s Background
Daniel Muir had a notable NFL career, playing from 2008 to 2011. His transition from professional sports to a prominent role within a controversial religious movement has made the events surrounding his recent arrest particularly headline-grabbing. The seriousness of the charges faced by both him and his wife Kristen has added a significant level of public scrutiny.
This evolving story sheds light on the various layers of personal, legal, and communal challenges the Muir family now faces. As more details emerge, the sports community and the public at large will continue to watch closely. For now, the focus remains on ensuring Bryson's safety and well-being, while the legal process runs its course for Daniel and Kristen Muir.