A man and a woman are accused of sexually assaulting a six-year-old girl and keeping her captive in a pit with her deceased sister following the murder of their mother. Daniel Callihan, aged 37, admitted to fatally stabbing his ex-girlfriend, Callie Brunett, 35, with more than 50 stab wounds. After the murder, he took her two daughters, aged six and four, to Mississippi, where he and his accomplice, Victoria Cox, 34, reportedly subjected the six-year-old to sexual exploitation.
Tragically, the younger sister was suffocated to death by Callihan while in Cox’s presence. Fortunately, law enforcement rescued the older sister on June 13 after locating Brunett’s stolen vehicle near Callihan’s property. The girl was discovered in a pit along with her deceased sibling.
Callihan pleaded guilty to federal and state charges related to the heinous crimes and was sentenced to life in prison. Cox, on the other hand, is facing state charges and was presented with a plea deal during a preliminary court hearing. The charges against her include acting as an accessory to the crimes, although she was previously indicted on more severe counts such as capital murder, kidnapping, and sexual battery.
Prosecutors have offered Cox a plea deal, and she has until the end of the month to respond. Callihan accepted a similar deal and was handed a life sentence without the possibility of parole for various charges, including capital murder and kidnapping. He also received additional prison time for sexual battery offenses.
During Callihan’s sentencing, Brunett’s sister referred to him as a “demon” and expressed the profound impact of his actions on their lives. Callihan was arrested in June after authorities discovered the younger girl’s body near where the sisters were held captive. He confessed to the crimes while in custody, attributing his actions to the effects of his medication.
Cox was apprehended at a nearby motel on the same day as Callihan’s arrest.