LORANGER — Police have announced a new arrest in connection with the kidnapping of two Louisiana girls and the death of their mother in Tangipahoa Parish. Officials also announced the FBI has now launched an investigation into the crime spree that crossed state lines.
Jackson Police officers have arrested a female accomplice in connection with the case of Daniel Callihan. Victoria Cox, 32, was taken into custody on Friday morning, June 14, 2024, in Jackson, Mississippi. Both Callihan and Cox have been charged with one count of capital murder and one count of sexual battery.
READ NOW: Daniel Callihan’s criminal history ‘It runs in the family’
“We had that information yesterday that there was possibly someone else with him. Upon our search of the area yesterday, we could not find her, but we wanted to approach it like we did today and we were able to do that,” Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade told UWK. “She’s being interviewed at this time. It’s still being determined at this time what charges we will put on her. It may be capital murder. It may be accessory before or accessory after the fact. We’re still yet to determine that but she is in custody and she’s being questioned as we speak.”
The FBI released a statement Friday morning.
“The FBI became involved in this case when it first became aware Thursday morning. The FBI has now opened a full investigation into the Brunett matter. We will continue to collaborate with our local law enforcement partners at the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office and Jackson Police Department. The FBI is dedicating all available resources and tools at its disposal to this investigation, including Victim Services personnel, who are working closely with the survivors of this unspeakable tragedy. We appreciate the public’s interest and assistance in this case and ask anyone who might have helpful information to call 1-800-CALL-FBI. To preserve the integrity of this ongoing investigation, we cannot share further details.”
A Crime Spree That Began in Tangipahoa Parish
The second arrest follows a violent crime spree that began in Tangipahoa Parish on Thursday morning, June 13.
Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Daniel Edwards stated that Callie Brunett’s father discovered her dead inside her home on N. Cooper Road in Loranger.
“Callie’s father went to the residence around 8 a.m. and forced entry into the locked trailer and located his daughter’s body on her bedroom floor,” said TPSO’s Chief Deputy Jimmy Davis. “Her death is being investigated as a homicide.”
Officials said an autopsy would have to confirm the exact cause and manner of death.
Officials quickly learned that Brunett’s daughters, 4-year-old Erin and 6-year-old Jalie, had been kidnapped. A statewide Amber Alert was issued nearly two hours later.
Tragic Discovery in Mississippi
Tragically, 4-year-old Erin was found dead in a wooded area in Jackson, Mississippi, while her 6-year-old sister, Jalie, was found injured but alive after a pursuit.
MORE: One of the missing girls at center of Amber Alert found dead
Authorities confirmed that Callihan, 36, of Amite, had been arrested in Jackson. TPSO’s Jimmy Davis told UWK that Callihan had previously dated Callie Brunett, leading investigators to classify her murder as a domestic homicide.
Amber Alert Leads to Key Breaks in the Case
Following the Amber Alert, several tips came into TPSO, ultimately leading to key developments in the case.
“After the Amber Alert was issued, we found the car on a camera south of Jackson. We then learned the car was at a McDonald’s in McComb on Wednesday, June 12, and later in Jackson yesterday evening,” said Travis.
TPSO deputies, along with multiple agencies, then traveled toMississippi to track down the suspect.
“He was in a neighborhood in Jackson pulling on doors and someone made a call to police. An undercover officer in the area responded, saw the suspect and got into a pursuit. After the pursuit, the officer learned who the suspect was. After he was taken into custody, his car was located, and the 6-year-old was found unharmed inside. Her 3-year-old sister was found deceased in an adjacent wooded area,” he added. “We have a six year old girl who has a hard life ahead of her based on what she’s experienced.”
Disturbing Crime Scene and Signs of Human Trafficking
Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade told UWK that Brunett’s stolen car was found around 3 p.m. behind 3950 Boozier Ave. in South Jackson.
“The officers did a search of the area along with the U.S. Marshals. Our Jackson Police officers were assisting with the search. At that time, they located the two young girls in the wooded area. One had injuries but she is still alive but the 3-year-old was deceased,” said Chief Wade.
Wade also revealed that the scene contained signs of human trafficking, though details remain under investigation.
“There were cages in a fenced in area but you didn’t see any animals or dogs or cats or wildlife. So it’s very concerning. We do have the Mississippi Bureau of Investigations on scene, the FBI, the U.S. Marshal’s, Harris & Rankin County Sheriff’s Office and of course Jackson PD so that’s why we want to process the scene very extensively and it may be over hours, may be overnight, it may be over days to make sure it’s all properly processed,” Chief Wade told UWK.
“It’s absolutely awful, heinous, disturbing, tragic, traumatic for me to see this as a police chief and to see it as a father. It was very disturbing. I had the opportunity to go to the crime scene and see this baby that had lost her life and it was just absolutely overwhelming for me and all the officers who responded but he will be held accountable for his actions,” added the chief.
The two girls had possibly been missing for over 36 hours, according to the TPSO.
Anyone wishing to make donations, head to any First Guaranty Bank & donate to the “Benefit for Brunett Family”
TPSO says multiple agencies are involved in the investigation including the FBI given the crime went across state lines. Callihan is facing multiple charges in both Louisiana and Mississippi, including murder and aggravated kidnapping. However, the exact charges have not been released at this time.
“He took these abducted kids across state lines, which makes it a federal offense,” added the chief. “There are more questions than answers and as soon as we get those, we will get out accurate information.”
This is a developing story. As soon as more details are provided, the story will be updated. Check back for new information.
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