A man is accused of murdering a Louisiana mother and abducting two children, 4-years-old and 6-years-old. According to police reports, 36-year-old Daniel Callihan has been arrested and booked in a Mississippi jail. The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office shared a statement on social media about Callihan’s arrest, noting that he had “committed brutal and heinous acts of violence” when murdering 35-year-old Callie Brunett and her 4-year-old daughter, Erin.
The sheriff’s department wrote on Facebook, “36-year-old Daniel Callihan was located and taken into custody late this afternoon in Jackson, MS. Callihan is accused of committing brutal and heinous acts of violence, including the murders of 35-year-old Loranger resident Callie Brunett and her four-year-old daughter, Erin.”
The post noted that Sheriff Daniel Edwards offered its condolences to those impacted by the horrific crimes that were committed. “Our hearts are with all those affected by this tragic event. These are unspeakable crimes,” says Sheriff Daniel Edwards. “We ask everyone to keep Callie’s family in your prayers.”
“Sheriff Edwards would like to thank all the agencies who assisted in this investigation, including the Louisiana State Police, FBI New Orleans, Jackson Mississippi US Marshals Office, Bryam Mississippi Police Department, Pike County Sheriff’s Office, Mississippi Bureau of Investigations, Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office, Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office, LA DOC – Rayburn, Jackson Mississippi Police Department, and Rankin County Mississippi, and all the Citizens who have called in tips and information throughout this investigation. Additionally, all the support personnel from all these agencies as well. It takes all of us working together to get the job done. We would like to especially thank the media, including radio, television, and newspapers, for helping us spread the word. Updates will be released as soon as details are available,” the statement concluded.
During a Thursday press conference, Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade provided updates on the arrest of Callihan and active the crime scene at the time. “Seen that we’re working here at South Jackson,” Wade said.
The sheriff continued, explaining how an amber alert had been put out for the abducted children. “They have been looking for an individual wanted out of Louisiana, Mr Callahan, after a short pursuit, they made contact with him, and he’s now in custody. As you know, an amber alert was issued for two young children that were supposedly with him.
Wade added, “Mr Callahan is also a suspect in a homicide that happened in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, upon a search of the area by Jackson police officers, they located a deceased child in the woods. We suspect that to be one of the children that he had in his possession that he had illegally taken away from the Tangipahoa Parish in Louisiana, the one of the child, the six year old, my understanding, has been taken to the hospital to receive treatment, but my understanding the four year old is deceased in the woods.”
“We’re still trying to determine the manner of death, but we have a very active scene here right now, very traumatic scene, very tragic scene, the death of a four year old child, but the suspect is in custody,” Wade said before thanking the various members who have assisted in the crime scene. The sheriff urged anyone with information to contact the authorities.
Featured image credit: Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office Facebook
