A man involved in a disturbing case where he held a six-year-old girl captive for sexual purposes managed to avoid the death penalty by agreeing to plea deals. The events unfolded on the night of June 11, 2024, when Daniel Callihan, 37, brutally attacked his ex-girlfriend, Callie Brunett, 35, by stabbing her over 50 times. He then proceeded to abduct her two young daughters, aged six and four, and drove them more than 130 miles away.
Tragically, Callihan ended the life of the four-year-old girl through suffocation while sexually assaulting her, allegedly with the assistance of Victoria Cox, 34. The older sister was then subjected to being a “sex slave” in a squalid pit, next to the deceased body of her younger sibling. Upon the discovery of Callie’s body on June 13, a relative alerted authorities about the missing children.
Following a coordinated effort by local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, Callie’s stolen vehicle was traced to Callihan’s residence in Mississippi, far from her Louisiana home. At this location, officials found the surviving child along with the remains of her sister. The autopsy confirmed that the younger girl perished from asphyxiation due to suffocation.
During the subsequent sentencing, Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens emphasized the horrific nature of the crimes, stating that no child should ever endure such a fate. Callihan was apprehended after leading officers to a wooded area behind his property, where he had confined the six-year-old victim. He pleaded guilty to a range of charges and will spend the rest of his life incarcerated. Cox, charged as an accessory, faces state charges and is set for trial in December after pleading not guilty.
Attempting to attribute his actions to the side effects of his antidepressant medication, Callihan expressed remorse but acknowledged the severity of his deeds. At his sentencing, Callie’s sister emotionally labeled him a “demon,” condemning his soulless actions. The FBI lauded the collaborative efforts that ensured justice for the victims’ family and the community, affirming that Callihan would never repeat such atrocities.
For those affected by similar stories, support and resources are available through organizations like www.rapecrisis.org.uk or the national helpline at 0808 802 9999. If you have a story to share, reach out via email at julia.banim@reachplc.com.
