Parents accused of drunkenly leading young kids on long walk in 108-degree heat

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AZFamily/Gray News) - An Arizona couple are facing child abuse charges after police allege they drunkenly led their young children on an hourslong walk in extreme heat after the Arizona Cardinals’ open practice.

Ryan and May Mullin are charged with child abuse after a witness reported seeing the couple, seemingly intoxicated, stumbling across the road with two children, ages 2 and 4, for several hours in Glendale, according to court documents.

The outside temperature at the time was 108 degrees, Glendale Police said.

Police were called around 6 p.m. Sunday after the woman reported Ryan Mullin crossed the road without the kids and fell over one of the kids while stumbling. She also reported May Mullin was possibly vomiting and appeared drunk.

The woman told police that she decided to step in, driving her vehicle toward the Mullins and their kids to offer them a ride. She said Ryan Mullin became angry and punched her car, which led to him falling and injuring his face.

She told officers that Ryan Mullin made it clear he did not want help getting the children out of the heat.

An officer approached Ryan Mullin while he and one of the children were crossing the road, but the suspect allegedly ignored the officer’s command to stop.

When the officer ran up to the pair, police said Ryan Mullin grabbed the child by the wrist and refused to let go. The officer reported the suspect was unsteady on his feet and appeared intoxicated.

After the officer threatened to use force, Ryan Mullin let the child go, police said, and the officer restrained the suspect.

May Mullin reportedly told police they had been walking for about three hours after leaving the Arizona Cardinals’ Red and White Practice at State Farm Stadium.

When asked if the children had enough water, May Mullin told officers the children drank two bottles of water, court documents said. One of those bottles was still halfway full, police said.

Officers said they smelled alcohol while speaking with both Mullins, and they both had slurred speech and bloodshot eyes.

The couple were booked into jail on a child abuse charge, and Ryan Mullin was also booked on three counts of disorderly conduct for fighting.

Both suspects were released on their own recognizance.