GLENDALE, Arizona — Two young children were made to walk for hours under a scorching 108-degree Arizona sun while their parents stumbled, fell, and vomited beside them — too drunk to care, according to police.
Ryan Mullin, 41, and May Mullin, 42, are now facing child abuse charges after the incident unfolded following an Arizona Cardinals open practice last weekend.
Three Hours in Extreme Heat
The family had left for the Cardinals event around 2:40 p.m. Police made contact with them near 6 p.m. — meaning the children had been walking in dangerous heat for close to three hours.
A witness spotted Ryan stumbling and falling directly onto one of the children. She pulled over and offered the family a ride out of the heat.
He refused — then punched her vehicle.
Ryan then lost his footing and struck his own face on her car, leaving a gash that sent blood running down the side of his face. Even then, he made clear he did not want anyone helping his children.
Officers Had to Physically Intervene
When police arrived, Ryan ignored officers and clutched his child by the wrist when approached.
Officers reported he was “extremely unsteady,” had slurred speech, red bloodshot eyes, and reeked of alcohol. He had to be physically forced into handcuffs after resisting arrest.
May Mullin was seen vomiting on the side of the road. She too appeared heavily intoxicated.
Both parents were booked into Maricopa County Jail. Ryan faces three additional counts of disorderly conduct on top of the child abuse charge.
The couple has since been released on their own recognizance.
The children are safe. Their parents’ choices that afternoon put them in danger — and a stranger’s instinct to stop and help may have made all the difference.
What do you think should happen to parents who put their children in situations like this? Share your thoughts in the comments.