A man, convicted of heinous crimes, was spared the death penalty by accepting plea deals in a shocking case involving a six-year-old girl. The disturbing incident unfolded on June 11, 2024, when Daniel Callihan, 37, brutally attacked his ex-girlfriend, Callie Brunett, 35, stabbing her over 50 times. Subsequently, he abducted her two young daughters, aged six and four, and drove them more than 130 miles away.
Tragically, Callihan suffocated the four-year-old girl after sexually assaulting her, with alleged assistance from Victoria Cox, 34. The older sister was then held captive as a “sex slave” in a squalid pit, alongside her deceased younger sibling. The discovery of Callie’s body on June 13 led to a joint effort by law enforcement, tracking Callihan to his residence in Mississippi, where the surviving child was found with her sister’s remains.
During the sentencing, the District Attorney expressed profound dismay over the fate of the children, emphasizing the horrific nature of the crimes committed. Callihan, who cooperated with authorities by revealing the location where he had imprisoned the six-year-old girl, pleaded guilty to both federal and state charges, resulting in a life sentence. Meanwhile, Cox, charged as an accessory, awaits trial after pleading not guilty.
In a disturbing attempt to deflect responsibility, Callihan attributed his actions to the side effects of his medication, claiming he was sober and under the influence of antidepressants. Despite his remorseless statements, including a desire for a lethal injection, Callihan’s sentencing brought emotional statements from the victims’ family, condemning him as a “demon.”
FBI Special Agent Jonathan Tapp expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts of law enforcement in ensuring justice for the victims and their community. The case serves as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and coordination in preventing such atrocities from recurring.