A man involved in a disturbing case where a six-year-old girl was held as a ‘sex slave’ has avoided the death penalty by agreeing to plea deals. The shocking incident unfolded on the evening of June 11, 2024, when Daniel Callihan, 37, brutally attacked his former partner, Callie Brunett, 35, with over 50 stab wounds. Subsequently, he abducted her two young daughters, aged six and four, and drove them more than 130 miles away, leading to even more heinous acts.
Tragically, Callihan asphyxiated the four-year-old girl by pressing her tightly against his chest after subjecting her to sexual abuse, purportedly with the help of his partner, Victoria Cox, 34. The older sibling was then kept captive as a “sex slave” in a squalid pit alongside her deceased younger sister. Callie’s body was found by a relative on June 13, prompting a search for her missing daughters.
Law enforcement agencies, through coordinated efforts, located Callie’s stolen vehicle at Callihan’s residence in Mississippi, far from her Louisiana home. Upon investigation, authorities discovered the surviving child at the property, near her sister’s remains. The coroner determined that the younger girl had died from asphyxiation.
At the subsequent trial, Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens expressed dismay over the children’s fate, emphasizing the inhumanity of the situation. Callihan was apprehended after leading authorities to the wooded area where he had confined the six-year-old victim. He has since been sentenced to life imprisonment after admitting guilt to federal and state charges. Cox, charged as an accomplice, is facing state charges and is set for trial in December.
In a disturbing twist, Callihan attempted to attribute his actions to the side effects of his antidepressants, claiming he was sober during the incident. Despite his remorseful tone, he acknowledged the gravity of his crimes and expressed a willingness to accept the consequences. During the sentencing, Callie’s sister emotionally condemned Callihan, describing him as a malevolent force that had permanently scarred their lives.
Following the sentencing, FBI Special Agent Jonathan Tapp commended the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies in ensuring justice for the victims and their family. The FBI appreciated the contributions of various agencies in ensuring that Callihan faces the full extent of the law and cannot commit such atrocities again.