Former Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Daniel Muir and his wife, Kristin Muir, have been arrested following the discovery of their missing 14-year-old son.
Bryson Muir was found safe on Wednesday, although his absence came after a two-week investigation of complaints of child abuse against his own parents.
Indiana State Police SWAT teams located Bryson Muir “safe and well” at the Muir family home in Logansport, north of Indianapolis, during a raid at approximately 6 a.m..
His parents were taken into custody on charges of obstruction of justice, with Daniel Muir also facing a domestic battery charge.
Bryson, standing 6-foot-2 and weighing around 185 pounds, had been missing since June 16.
His grandmother, Cheryl Wright, alerted authorities about alleged abuse after noticing Bryson had a swollen black eye. Wright reported that his face was battered, with a black eye and busted lip, leading her to believe he had been repeatedly hit.
What is the next step from the police?
Local police initially tracked Kristin Muir’s car in Cleveland, Ohio, but did not find Bryson. Investigators suspected he had been transferred to another vehicle.
Despite multiple visits to the Muir family home, authorities could not contact Bryson’s parents.
A “Silver Alert” was issued last Friday after the Muirs promised to bring Bryson to Indianapolis State Police headquarters but backed out an hour before the meeting.
The raid was conducted after the Muirs failed to appear in court following the issuance of warrants.
Could religion be a potential factor?
The Muir family resides on property owned by Straitway Truth Ministries, a religious sect based in Tennessee, which some describe as a cult.
Cheryl Wright alleges that Bryson may have been “brainwashed” by his parents, stating, “Bryson is so conditioned or brainwashed to their way of living that he wanted to go back.”
The Straitway Truth Ministries website describes the group as a “nation of Hebrew Israelites who are commandment keepers; obedient to Yah and our savior, Jesus the Christ.”
The site claims they offer a vibrant deliverance ministry and life-changing truth from a Jeremiah 3:15 Pastor.
The investigation into the Muir family’s activities and their connection to Straitway Truth Ministries continues. Authorities are working to ensure Bryson’s safety and well-being while addressing the legal charges against Daniel and Kristin Muir.