An Arizona couple faces child abuse charges after police say they led their two young children on a long walk in 108-degree heat after Cardinals practice.
Arizona parents accused in a 108-degree walk are facing child abuse charges after police said they led their two young children through punishing heat following an Arizona Cardinals practice in Glendale. Witnesses and officers described a scene that unfolded Sunday evening as temperatures remained dangerously high and the family continued walking with children ages 2 and 4.
Police said Ryan and May Mullin had been on foot for about three hours after leaving Arizona Cardinals practice at State Farm Stadium. A witness told Glendale police she noticed the family around 6 p.m. and stepped in after seeing Ryan fall over one of his own children and cross a road without the rest of the family. The same witness offered the group a ride in an effort to get them out of the heat, authorities said.
According to police, Ryan reacted angrily and punched the vehicle, then knocked himself down and injured his face. The witness also told investigators that May appeared drunk and may have been vomiting. Officers later said both adults had slurred speech, bloodshot eyes and smelled strongly of alcohol.
A police officer then saw what authorities described as a wobbling father trying to cross the street with one of the children and attempted to stop him. Ryan allegedly ignored the commands, grabbed the child by the wrist and refused to let go. Police said he finally released the child only after the officer warned that force would be used.
βAn Arizona couple faces child abuse charges after police say they led their two young children on a long walk in 108-degree heat after Cardinals practice.β
May reportedly told authorities that the children had each drunk two bottles of water during the walk. Police said one of the bottles was still half full, raising more questions about how much the children actually had to drink as they moved through the heat. The couple was then booked on child abuse charges.
The Arizona Cardinals practice angle gives the case a striking backdrop, but the core issue is simple: authorities say two very young children were put in unsafe conditions during an extended walk in extreme weather. Glendale sits in a part of the country where summer heat can turn routine travel into a serious risk, especially for young children who depend entirely on adults for protection and judgment.
Cases like this draw close attention because they sit at the intersection of child safety, public responsibility and the dangers of extreme heat. What happens next will likely center on the child abuse case and the findings police present in court. For American families, the takeaway is plain: in extreme heat, a bad decision can quickly become a dangerous one.
Frequently asked questions
What are Ryan and May Mullin accused of?
Police booked the couple on Child Abuse charges after alleging they led their two young children on a long walk in 108-degree heat.
How long had the family been walking?
Authorities said the family had been walking for about three hours after leaving Arizona Cardinals practice at State Farm Stadium.
What did witnesses and police say they saw?
A witness said Ryan fell over one of the children, crossed a road without the family and punched a vehicle after being offered a ride. Police said both adults showed signs of intoxication.
We value your privacy πͺWe use cookies for essential features and, if you allow it, to send you a notification whenever we publish a new story. See our Privacy Policy.
πΊπΈ
The Defender Morning Brief
5 stories Americans need to know. 3 minutes. Every morning. Free.
π± On iPhone: tap the Share icon, choose βAdd to Home Screenβ, then open TheTrueDefender from your Home Screen and tap π to turn on notifications. (Apple only allows notifications for saved web apps.)
π
Stay Ahead of Breaking NewsGet alerts when major stories break β not every time we publish.Breaking news only. No spam. Turn off anytime.
1Tap the β’β’β’ menu at the bottom of the screen, then tap Share(in Safari, just tap Share in the bottom bar directly)2Scroll down the menu and tap Add to Home Screen3Tap Add in the top-right corner4Open TheTrueDefender from your Home Screen, then tap π Subscribe and choose Allow
π± Add TheTrueDefender to your home screen for one-tap access.
