INDIANAPOLIS — Former Indianapolis Colts player Daniel Muir said the bruised and swollen eye of his 14-year-old son Bryson, who went missing for weeks, was not only a deserved form of punishment but his son should have gotten much worse, according to court documents obtained by IndyStar.
"l whooped his ass like a grown-ass man," Muir says in a phone call recorded by his brother-in-law, Cameron Wright, and obtained by police.
During the phone call, Wright confronted Muir about the injury to Bryson’s face and "Mr. Muir confessed he 'whooped his ass'" because of alleged misbehavior, the probable cause affidavit states.
Previously:Bryson Muir found; Indiana police search Logansport compound, arrest Daniel and Kristin Muir
"Mr. Muir states that if they lived in their homeland (religious land), Bryson would be put to death for his acts," according to court records. "Instead, they live in the United States so they could not put him to death."
Muir and his wife — whose name is spelled as both Kristin and Kristen in court documents — have their home on the property of the Servant Leader's Foundation in Logansport, Indiana, according to police. Muir is connected withStraitway Indiana-Goshenand Straitway Truth Ministry.
Members of theIndiana State PoliceSWAT teamarrestedthe couple on July 3, more than two weeks after Bryson went missing. They were taken into custody from their home in Logansport and are facing felony charges, including domestic battery and obstruction of justice.
Bryson was eventually found safe and with no apparent further injuries. He was released to the care and custody of the Cass CountyDepartment of Child Services.
But court documents allege this was not the first time Bryson or his siblings had been physically punished by Muir, a defensive tackle for the Colts from 2008 to 2012,and his wife. IndyStar reached out to the Muirs' attorney, Nathan Vining, for an interview but did not receive a response.
'Spanked with a green piece of water hose'
On June 27, Indiana State Police and the Department of Child Services went to the Muirs' home for an inspection in which all the children who were verbal were interviewed by family case manager Alexis Lytle, documents state.
While interviewing the children, Lytle asked if they ever felt unsafe or scared at home and if all of their basic needs were met, including food, clothing, a bed and bedding. The children, who were interviewed in the presence of their parents, said they did not feel unsafe or scared and that their needs were met.
One of the children told Lytle when he misbehaves, he is spanked on the "butt, arms and legs" with "a piece of green water hose," leaving marks, bruises and injuries, court documents state. The same child said in September his father "whooped" him in his room because after "his mom popped him in the face" he had "jerked" and "flopped."
When one of the children mentioned "getting the rod" because their room wasn't clean enough — describing being whipped with a belt — Kristin Muir stopped the interview, court documents state.
"Kristin expressed concern that the statements (the children) were making would be misconstrued," the records say. "Kristin stated none of the children in the home are abused or neglected."
The next day,a statewide silver alertfor a lost or missing person was issued for Bryson.
Indiana State Police asked to investigate
Nine days prior to that home inspection, Indiana State Police were asked to investigate allegations of domestic battery involving a juvenile on June 18, after an initial report provided by the Cass County Department of Child Services alleged child abuse or neglect.
Bryson went missing June 16, according to officials.
The report alleged physical abuse to Bryson, including the injury to his right eye. "Two photographs were presented with the report that appear to show with swelling and bruising around his right eye ... and possibly holding a homemade ice pack," court documents state.
The DCS report said the injury was the result of punishment dealt by Muir.
Two days later, on June 20, investigators recorded a phone call with Cheryl Wright, Kristin's mother, who told police Bryson stayed with her from June 13 to June 16.
"When Bryson was dropped off, she describes seeing the black eye. She questioned him regarding how the injury occurred and he advised his father (Mr. Muir) punished him," documents state. "Mrs. Wright reports taking the photographs that were included in the DCS report."
She also told police about the recorded phone call her son, Cameron Wright, had with Muir in which Muir stated that his son's behavior was the reason he was not at the family's home.
Kristin Muir: Bryson 'punched by an unknown individual'
On June 27, Indiana State Police met with Daniel and Kristin Muir and their attorney at the Cass County DCS office.
"During our initial interview, Mr. Muir provided observations of several videos of Bryson. In the videos, Bryson is observed standing in an undisclosed location, possibly in a wooded area," court documents state. "The videos are consistent with a question-and-answer scenario; however, the questions are never observed being asked. An example of what Bryson would say in a recording is, 'My father did not punch me in the eye.' The recording would end immediately, and Mr. Muir would play the next video containing a similar statement."
The Muirs agreed to separate interviews with investigators to discuss Bryson's whereabouts and his injury. Kristin Muir talked without legal representation.
She said, "Bryson was taking the trash out and he likes trains. Because of his interest in trains, he walked over to train tracks near the property," court documents state. "While near the tracks, Bryson reports having been punched by an unknown individual. He then returned home to report what happened to his parents."
For Bryson's protection and safety, Kristin Muir said they decided to move him to her mother's home in Ohio. But after a few days, Kristin said "her mother was making decisions she didn't agree with, and they decided to remove him from her care," documents say.
Five days after the silver alert was issued for Bryson, state police raided the Straitway-Goshen compound in Logansport and found Bryson. The court documents don't provide any additional information on how or where he was found. The Muirs were taken into custody July 3.
Daniel Muir is facing one count of obstruction of justice, a level 6 felony, and one count of domestic battery, a class A misdemeanor, according to ISP. Kristin Muir faces one count of obstruction of justice, a level 6 felony.
Those with information for police are encouraged to call either the Peru Post at 800-382-0689 or 911.
If you suspect a child may be experiencing abuse or neglect, call theDCShotline at 800-800-5556. State law requires DCS to keep callers' name and contact information confidential. You can also visit alocal DCS officeto make a report.
Follow IndyStar sports reporter Dana Benbow on X:@DanaBenbow. Reach her via email:dbenbow@indystar.com.
