Indiana State Police are asking for help locating the 14-year-old son of former NFL player Daniel Muir after the boy’s grandmother alleged his father gave him a black eye and split lip.
Bryson Muir was picked up by his parents from a relative’s home near Cleveland, Ohio, on June 16, but Bryson was not with them when police pulled over their car shortly afterward, authorities said. Indiana State Police said in a press release it was contacted by the Cass County Department of Child Services for assistance in investigating allegations of domestic battery.
His parents, Daniel and Kristen Muir, initially cooperated with authorities but on Friday backed out of an agreement to bring Bryson to meet with investigators, state police said.
A silver alert was issued for Bryson, who is “considered missing and endangered.” Indiana State Police said that the case is “ongoing” and no charges have been filed.
Kristen Muir’s mother, Cheryl Wright, told NBC affiliate WTHR that it was from her home Bryson was last seen leaving and that she contacted police because she saw her grandson with a black eye, fat lip and swollen face.
“He just said that his dad did it, but he wasn’t angry, but he wasn’t angry at his father,” Wright said. “He told me that he deserved it and it was OK. So I told him that it wasn’t and that nobody should beat their children like that, not if they love them.”
A photo included in Bryson’s silver alert shows the 14-year-old with a bruised eye. According to WTHR, Wright shared that photo with police.
Wright said she picked up Bryson near Toledo at the request of her daughter, noting that the Muirs were with an unidentified man at the time. When they came to pick up Bryson days later, Wright called the police.
“Bryson is, I believe, somewhere else, and they just don’t want to bring him back, maybe they don’t want the police to see his face,” Wright said.
Police described Bryson as being 6 feet, 2 inches tall, 185 pounds, with black hair with brown eyes.
NBC News was unable to reach Daniel Muir at the numbers listed for him in public records. He did not immediately respond to an email requesting comment on the abuse allegations.
WTHR also noted that several attempts to reach the couple were unsuccessful.
Daniel Muir is a former NFL defensive tackle, having played for multiple teams between 2007 and 2014. His ESPN profile says he was signed to the Indianapolis Colts for four seasons. According to the Indianapolis Star, the former player gave motivational speeches after retirement.
