Ex-NFL Player 'whopped' son for allegedly touching boys' private parts

New details surrounding the arrests of former NFL player Daniel Muir and his wife, Kristen, stemming from their allegedly abused son Bryson's disappearance have been released.

The Muir parents were arrested on July 3 at the family's Logansport home where Bryson was found safe. His grandmother, Cheryl Wright, reported the 14-year-old missing on June 16 and also told police she believed the teen could have been being abused by his father.

Both Daniel and Kristen Muir were charged with a count of obstruction of justice. Daniel was additionally charged with domestic battery. Bryson Muir was released to the care of the Cass County Department of Child Services.

In a probable cause affidavit from Indiana State Police obtained by Newsweek, Daniel Muir allegedly told his wife's brother, Cameron Wright, in a recorded phone call that he "whopped his [Bryson's] ass because he touched three little boys' penis' and had them touch his penis."

The father reported Bryson Muir had touched two 5-year-old boys' and one 8-year-old boy's private parts. He learned about these alleged incidents through the fathers of the kids who were touched that told their parents, he claimed.

"I whooped his ass like a grown man," Daniel reportedly told Wright, also claiming that his son has never been sexually abused.

On the phone with Wright, Daniel Muir reportedly made a statement claiming that if they lived in their homeland (religious land), Bryson would be put to death for his acts. Instead, they live in the US so they could not put him to death.

Newsweek has contacted Muir's attorney and Straitway for comment.

The affidavit also states Daniel Muir provided police with a video of his son standing in an undisclosed, wooded area, claiming, "My father did not punch me in the eye" when the Muirs finally agreed to meet with authorities on June 27.

In a solo interview without a lawyer, Kristen Muir told investigators that their son was punched by an "unknown individual," and with the teen's "safety in mind," his parents decided he should stay with his grandmother, Cheryl Wright, at her home near Cleveland, Ohio.

After a few days, the Muirs brought Bryson back to Indiana after Cheryl Wright was "making decisions Kristen Muir did not agree with," according to the docs. During their drive home, they were stopped by police but their son was not in the car.

Daniel and Kristen Muir reportedly had different explanations for this in their separate interviews with investigators. But Daniel Muir admitted he took their son to another location – which he would not share with police – because DCS was looking for him and he wanted to protect his family.

Bryson Muir told investigators that last September, his father "whopped" him with a green water hose after his mother "popped" him in the mouth and the teen jerked and "flopped" around. Daniel Muir's alleged actions resulted in bruises on his son's legs, arms, and butt, the teen claimed.

He described two other alleged incidents of physical punishment, including one that reportedly happened last May when Daniel Muir "popped" him after he tried to poke holes in the walls of the home, leaving him with a bloody nose.

In another alleged instance, the Muir parents told their son and seemingly a sibling to clean their bedroom. Bryson Muir claimed his dad "popped" him in the mouth and also "got the rod," which he said meant he was spanked with a belt on his butt, which left bruises.

At this point, Kristen Muir halted the interview, allegedly worried that her son's statements would be misconstrued. Kristen Muir stated that none of the children in the home were abused or neglected, and asked that investigators move away from the topic of punishment, which they did.

The Muirs were denied bail from Cass County Jail following a filing by their lawyer on July 8, claiming Daniel was a flight risk. Their attorney reportedly claimed the denial was "unconstitutional under both state and federal law," and asked the judge to set a hearing to set bail and allow for Daniel's release.

The judge also issued a no-contact order between the Muir parents and their son. Their jury trial is scheduled for November 4.

Who is Daniel Muir?

Daniel Muir is a pastor at Straitway Truth Ministries, a Tennessee-based religious group that some online have labeled a cult.

According to Straitway's website, the group is a "nation of Hebrew Israelites who are commandment keepers; obedient to Yah (God) and our savior, Jesus the Christ." He can be seen preaching on topics including intimacy and believing in faith on Straitway's YouTube channel.

Former Packers star Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila joined Straitway after denouncing Christianity. In December 2019, he was almost arrested after he allegedly sent his two armed friends to a school Christmas program. The men were arrested for trespassing.

Gbaja-Biamila sent Muir videos of Straitway's leader, Pastor Charles Dowell, and Muir found himself agreeing with the pastor.

Muir also introduced his former Colts teammate Robert Mathis to Straitway following the 2018 season. Sports Illustrated reports Muir initially contacted Mathis about a coaching opportunity, but they hardly talked about that after Mathis took interest in Muir's T-shirt which read "HEBREW."

Muir spent seven seasons in the NFL with four different teams, signing with the Green Bay Packers as a Defensive Tackle in 2007.

He spent 2008 to 2011 with the Colts, 2012 with the New York Jets, and ended his career with the Oakland Raiders in 2013.

His most notable year came in 2009 when he made 52 tackles, helping the team get to Super Bowl XLIV.

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