Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
LORANGER, La. (WGNO) — A Tangipahoa Parish Grand Jury convened on Thursday, June 20, to consider charges in the Brunett abduction and murder case. The community will also be mourning Callie Brunett and her 3-year-old daughter, Erin, as their funerals are held.
The case began last week when Callie was found dead inside her mobile home on Thursday, June 13. Her father found her after she had been reported missing for 24 hours. She was last heard from the previous Tuesday.
An Amber Alert was issued for her two daughters, 6-year-old Jalie and 3-year-old Erin.
Later that Thursday, the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office reported that 36-year-old Daniel Callihan was arrested in Jackson, Mississippi in connection to the case.
Additionally, it was announced that Erin had been found dead in a wooded area. Jalie was found alive and taken to a Jackson hospital.
Nexstar Media’s WJTV News reported that Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade said possible evidence of human trafficking, “including small animal cages,” was discovered at the scene.
Wade also told WJTV News that Victoria Cox, 32, is an acquaintance of Callihan, who was also arrested Thursday in Jackson as an accomplice in the case.
In Mississippi, Callihan and Cox are facing charges of capital murder and sexual battery. Additionally, a federal court hearing has been set for Callihan.
Tangipahoa Parish District Attorney Scott Perrilloux said the grand jury convened at 9 a.m. He addressed the media after, announcing Callihan and Cox’s indictments.
In Louisiana, Callihan has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping of a child and second-degree kidnapping.
Cox was charged with first-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping of a child, second-degree kidnapping and accessory after the fact to first-degree murder.
Perrilloux said he wants to be the first to prosecute them.
“If we are done and it wants to be done in other places, that is of course at their discretion. It involves local people, and I feel strongly this community deserves to ultimately have a right to resolve and decide here,” said Perrilloux.
Based on the charges, if convicted Callihan and Cox could spend the rest of their lives behind bars.
“Second-degree kidnapping, one of those elements is when a victim is physically or sexually abused. We feel we do not have jurisdiction over the events that happened in Mississippi, but we do feel this allows us to at least bring that in as an element to the charges we have here,” said Tangipahoa Parish Assistant District Attorney Matthew Belster.
When asked about the death penalty, Perrilloux said, “I would just like the opportunity to have more of a discussion with the family about this. That particular issue, the death penalty. Again, it’s not all about me. I want to talk to the family.”
As for Callihan’s “off the cuff” confession after his arrest in Mississippi, it obviously helps prosecutors, but justice for the family may take some time.
“We would like it to move as quickly as we can but there is going to be a lot of work involved in this. Particularly if it’s a capitol case, that makes it more prolonged and protracted with pre-trial discovery and various other issues,” said Perrilloux.
Both suspects are still detained in Mississippi. Callihan is scheduled for a hearing Tuesday at the federal courthouse in Jackson.
District Attorney Scott Perrilloux announces indictments:
Services for Callie and Erin will be held Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home in Hammond. Their funerals will be held at 1:30 p.m.
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