A man who subjected a six-year-old girl to horrific abuse and captivity has avoided the death penalty by accepting plea deals in a shocking case.
In a disturbing incident on June 11, 2024, Daniel Callihan, 37, brutally attacked his ex-girlfriend, Callie Brunett, 35, stabbing her over 50 times before abducting her two young daughters, aged six and four. The situation escalated when Callihan suffocated the four-year-old by holding her close to his chest after sexually assaulting her, allegedly with the help of Victoria Cox, 34. The older sister was then kept captive as a “sex slave” in a filthy dirt pit while her younger sibling’s lifeless body lay nearby. Callie’s body was found two days later by a relative who reported the disappearance of her daughters.
Law enforcement efforts led to the recovery of Callie’s stolen car at Callihan’s residence in Mississippi, far from her Louisiana home, with the surviving child discovered at the same location alongside her deceased sister. Callihan was apprehended after leading authorities to a wooded area on the property where he had confined the six-year-old. He pleaded guilty to federal and state charges and faces life imprisonment. Cox, charged as an accessory, also pleaded not guilty and awaits trial.
During the sentencing, Callihan attempted to attribute his actions to the side effects of his antidepressants, claiming he was sober and on medication during the crimes. He expressed a lack of remorse and even suggested he deserved the death penalty. Callie’s sister emotionally labeled him a “demon” in court, condemning his actions and their lasting impact on her family.
FBI Special Agent Jonathan Tapp praised the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies in ensuring justice for the victims and preventing future harm by Callihan. Support resources are available for those affected by this distressing story.