Second suspect arrested after kidnapped child found dead in Mississippi

JACKSON, Mississippi (WJTV) – Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade said a second suspect has been arrested in connection with the kidnapping and death of a 4-year-old girl in Mississippi.

Wade told WJTV 12 News that the female suspect is an acquaintance of Daniel Callihan, who was arrested in Jackson on Thursday, June 13. Callihan was the suspect at the center of an Amber alert in Louisiana before he was arrested on Boozier Drive.

According to Wade, four-year-old Erin Brunett was found dead in a wooded area. Her sister, six-year-old Jalie Brunett, was taken to a hospital in Jackson for treatment.

The Jackson Police Chief said there was evidence of possible human trafficking at the crime scene on Boozier Drive, including small animal cages. Wade said Jackson police have contacted the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI) and Hinds County Human Trafficking Units to investigate the crime scene.

Authorities said an Amber Alert had been issued for the two girls who were abducted after their mother was murdered in Loranger, Louisiana, on Thursday.

Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Daniel Edwards said 35-year-old Callie Brunett was found dead on the floor of her bedroom in her locked mobile home on North Cooper Road by her father after her parents reported her missing 24 hours earlier. They had last spoken to her Tuesday morning.

Callihan is suspected of killing Callie Brunett.

Wade said he does not believe Callihan is the father of the two children. Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey said Callihan is being held in the Rankin County Jail as a favor.

WJTV 12 News reached out to the FBI in Jackson about the case. They said: “The FBI is devoting all resources and means at its disposal to this investigation, including Victim Services personnel who are working closely with survivors of this unspeakable tragedy.”

Anyone with additional information about the incident can contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.