Former Indianapolis Colts defensive lineman Daniel Muir and his wife Kristen were both arrested on Wednesday, a dramatic and troubling turn of events centered around their 14-year-old son, Bryson. Law enforcement discovered Bryson at the family's home in Logansport, Indiana, after he had been missing and reported as such for two weeks.
The discovery and subsequent arrests took place following a search warrant executed by the Indiana State Police. Daniel Muir now faces charges of domestic battery, a Class A misdemeanor, and obstruction of justice, a felony. Kristen Muir also faces a charge of obstruction of justice.
Bryson, who is now confirmed to be "safe and well," is under the custody of the Cass County Department of Child Services. This entire sequence of events began on June 16, when Bryson's grandmother, Cheryl Wright, informed the police in Garfield Heights, Ohio, about her concerns for her grandson's safety. Wright reported signs of abuse, attributing Bryson's 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 recounted.
Despite mounting concerns, Indiana investigators had difficulty reaching Daniel and Kristen Muir. The couple even canceled a scheduled meeting with the Indiana State Police an hour before it was supposed to take place. Their evasive behavior led authorities to issue a statewide Silver Alert, indicating that Bryson was in "extreme danger and may require medical assistance."
The police operation to execute the search warrant was described as "peaceful" by Steven Glass, who elaborated, "Ultimately, everything went well and everybody is safe, including Bryson." This operation, which took place at 6 a.m. on the expansive 59-acre property known as "Straitway Goshen," stands out due to the property's association with the extreme religious movement, Straitway Truth Ministry, led by Charles Dowell out of Lafayette, Tennessee.
Daniel Muir serves as the leader of Straitway’s Indiana location. The property—which was purchased in March 2020 for $450,000—is owned by the "Servant Leaders Foundation." During the police operation, multiple individuals were detained and questioned, but only Daniel and Kristen were ultimately arrested.
Adding to the intrigue, Robert Mathis, another former NFL player, had confirmed his involvement with Straitway Goshen in a 2020 interview. Daniel Muir’s NFL career, which lasted from 2008 to 2011, now seems overshadowed by these alarming events.
As the investigation continues, the case raises numerous questions about the intersection of professional sports, personal lives, and religious affiliations. While Daniel Muir once stood out on the football field, his current plight and the well-being of his son Bryson are now the central focus. The involvement of the Cass County Department of Child Services and the ongoing legal proceedings will likely keep public interest piqued. The broader implications for the Muir family and the Straitway Truth Ministry are, at this point, still unfolding.