Louisiana man Daniel Callihan pleaded guilty in federal court Wednesday to charges related to a case in which he killed his ex-girlfriend before taking her daughters across state lines to Mississippi and killing the younger child.
The plea by Callihan is a lifesaving one for the time being, ensuring he does not have to face the death penalty on federal charges of kidnapping resulting in death and transporting a minor across state lines to engage in criminal sexual activity.
However, he still faces state criminal charges that include murder in Hinds County and Tangipahoa Parish, La.
He will face a minimum of life in prison when sentenced on federal charges in New Orleans on Nov. 19.
“Today’s resolution ensures that Daniel Wayne Callihan will be held accountable for his heinous and atrocious crimes,” Acting U.S. Attorney Michael Simpson said in a news release. “This successful prosecution is the result of significant collaboration by local, state, and federal agencies across Louisiana and Mississippi. Their collective dedication and hard work ensured Mr. Callihan will now face justice.”
Callihan, 37, admitted to killing Callie Brunett, 35, inside her trailer home in Loranger, La., on June 12, 2024, and kidnapping her two daughters: Erin, 4, and Jalie, 6. While law enforcement arrested Callihan one day later at a home on Boozier Drive in Jackson, they also found the body of Erin. Jalie was found alive and transported to a local hospital.
A gruesome indictment by a Mississippi grand jury later revealed that Callihan molested Jalie.
During his perp walk on June 14 in Hinds County, Callihan fessed up to the crimes and told reporters that he’s asked for the death penalty.
“I have told them everything I did, and I have agreed not to fight it,” he said while being strapped into a police cruiser. “For what I did, lethal injection is the easiest thing for me.”
‘Lethal injection is the easiest thing for me’: Daniel Calihan, the man charged in the deadly abduction case admits to his actions. He said he deserves the death penalty after allegedly killing a mom and her 4-year-old daughter. I’ll have the full details tonight at 10 @WLBT pic.twitter.com/sDs761xDKr
— Quentin Smith (@Q_Smith_) June 15, 2024
Callihan went on to partially blame his actions on an antidepressant while claiming he has dissociative identity disorder, which is when a person has multiple, distinct personalities with various identities controlling their behavior at different times, per the Cleveland Clinic.
“I have no reason for what I did,” Callihan said. “All I know is I was sober and only on Lexapro – and off Lexapro – and I’m also diagnosed with multiple personality disorder.”
Even with his admittance to the crimes inside and outside the courtroom, Callihan’s plea on Wednesday proves his attorney is working to avoid the death penalty.
In the time between his arrest and now, those once close to Callihan have told various news stations across both Mississippi and Louisiana that Callihan not only terrorized neighbors but was abusive to his ex-wife, Amber Boyd.
Victoria Cox, who has been identified as an accomplice of Callihan’s by authorities, is facing murder and kidnapping charges in both states as well.
