A 37-year-old Louisiana man accused of killing a mother in her mobile home, kidnapping her two young daughters, and killing one of them will spend the rest of his life in prison after pleading guilty to two federal charges, according to Law & Crime.
Daniel Callihan pleaded guilty Wednesday to kidnapping resulting in death and transporting a minor in interstate commerce with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of Louisiana announced.
The first charge carries a mandatory life sentence, while the second carries 10 years to life. He could also be fined up to $500,000. In exchange for his plea, prosecutors agreed not to seek the death penalty.
His girlfriend and alleged co-conspirator, Victoria Cox, has been indicted in Mississippi on a capital murder charge and may still face the death penalty.
The case began in June 2024, when Callie Brunett, 35, was found dead in her locked Loranger, Louisiana, mobile home a day after being reported missing. She had more than 50 stab wounds to her head, neck, chest, abdomen, and back. Her two daughters, ages 4 and 6, were missing.
Prosecutors said that on June 12, 2024, Callihan killed Brunett, kidnapped both girls in her car, picked up Cox, then crossed into Mississippi, bringing them to a residence on Boozier Drive in Jackson. Callihan and Brunett had previously dated.
Authorities said Callihan and Cox “engaged in sexual battery” with the 6-year-old. Callihan then “purposely suffocated [Erin] to death by holding Minor Victim 1 closely against his chest.” After his arrest, Callihan confessed to killing Brunett and Erin and to sexually assaulting Erin’s sister.
On July 13, 2024, police found Erin’s body in a wooded area near the Mississippi home. Her sister was found alive and taken to the hospital.
Law enforcement said the scene suggested possible human trafficking. “We see cages, small animal cages,” Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade said. “This is very, very disturbing to me as a police chief and as a father to witness and see what I saw.”
After his arrest, Callihan confessed to reporters while in handcuffs and wearing a yellow jail jumpsuit. He gave no motive, said he wanted the death penalty, and claimed mental health issues.
“Unfortunately, on Lexapro, sober, no drugs in my system, I did,” he said of the girl’s killing. “I have no reason for what I did. All I want to say is that I was sober and only on Lexapro — and off Lexapro — and I’m also diagnosed with borderline multiple personality disorder.”
“For what I did, lethal injection is the easiest thing for me,” he added.
Callihan will be formally sentenced Nov. 19.
