An Arizona couple is facing child abuse charges after police say they drunkenly led their two young children on a grueling three-hour walk through 108-degree heat following an Arizona Cardinals practice.

Ryan and May Mullin were reportedly seen walking through Glendale around 6 p.m. Sunday with their two children, ages 2 and 4, as temperatures soared to a dangerous 108 degrees.

According to court documents, the family had been walking for approximately three hours after leaving an Arizona Cardinals practice at State Farm Stadium.

May allegedly told authorities that the family had been on foot since leaving the stadium.

The alarming scene was first reported by a concerned driver who said she decided to intervene after seeing Ryan allegedly stumble over one of his own children and then cross a roadway without the rest of his family.

The witness pulled over and offered the family a ride to get them out of the punishing heat, according to police.

Instead, authorities say Ryan became angry and punched the vehicle.

The alleged outburst reportedly caused him to fall and injure his face.

The witness told police that May appeared intoxicated and may have vomited.

A responding officer later encountered Ryan attempting to cross the street while carrying one of the children.

Police said the father appeared unsteady on his feet and ignored repeated commands to stop.

According to authorities, Ryan grabbed the child by the wrist and refused to release the youngster.

He eventually let go only after the officer warned that force would be used, police said.

Officers said both parents showed signs of intoxication, including slurred speech and bloodshot eyes, and allegedly smelled strongly of alcohol.

The extreme heat added another serious concern for the two children.

May reportedly told officers that the kids had each been drinking water and that they had gone through two bottles during the walk.

But police said one of the bottles was still partially full.

Authorities ultimately took the children into protective care while Ryan and May were arrested and booked on child abuse charges.

The case remains based on allegations, and the parents are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Source: nypost.com