Man charged with capital crime after kidnapped child found dead in Mississippi

JACKSON, Mississippi (WJTV) – The man charged with seven counts in connection with the kidnapping of two Louisiana girls that ended with the death of one of them in Mississippi.

A Hinds County grand jury indicted 36-year-old Daniel Callihan on one count of felony assault, two counts of kidnapping, three counts of sexual assault and one count of receiving stolen goods.

A Hinds County grand jury had already indicted 32-year-old Victoria Cox on charges of capital crimes, kidnapping and sexual abuse in connection with the case.

Sean Tindell, commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Public Safety (DPS), said Callihan and Cox will face charges in both Mississippi and Louisiana.

Callihan is suspected of killing 35-year-old Callie Brunett in Loranger, Louisiana, in June 2024.

According to Tangipahoa Parish Coroner Rick Foster, Callie Brunett died of “multiple sharp force injuries.” He said she had multiple stab wounds to her head, neck, chest, abdomen and back. Foster also said Brunett suffered what appeared to be defensive wounds to her arms.

Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Daniel Edwards said Callie Brunett was found dead on the floor of her bedroom in her locked trailer on North Cooper Road by her father after her parents reported her missing 24 hours earlier.

Investigators told the Associated Press that Callihan and Callie Brunett had a relationship.

According to Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade, three-year-old Erin Brunett was found dead in a wooded area near Boozier Drive on Thursday, June 13. Her sister, six-year-old Jalie Brunett, was taken to a Jackson hospital for treatment and later released.

The Hinds County coroner said Erin Brunett died of suffocation.

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 contacted the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI) and Hinds County human trafficking units to investigate the crime scene. He also said the Jackson crime scene was investigated for three days.

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

Callihan and Cox were both arrested in Jackson. Wade announced on Monday, June 17, that Callihan had implicated Cox in the case.

Both Callihan and Cox had previously been charged with capital crimes and sexual abuse in Mississippi.

In Louisiana, Callihan was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, aggravated child abduction and second-degree kidnapping. Cox was charged with first-degree murder, aggravated child abduction, second-degree kidnapping and aiding and abetting first-degree murder. Callihan has since been extradited to Louisiana.

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