A timeline shows what led to the discovery of a 4-year-old’s body in Mississippi, including an Amber Alert issued in Louisiana.
Before the death of a 4-year-old Louisiana girl on Thursday, an Amber Alert prompted an hourslong nationwide search for her and her 6-year-old sister, both of whom were abducted when their mother was found dead in their family home.
The body of Erin Brunett, 4, was found 120 miles away in a wooded area in Jackson, Mississippi, Tangipahoa Parish Chief Deputy Jimmy Travis said Thursday evening during a news conference. She and her 6-year-old sister were taken from their Loranger home, about 45 miles northeast of Baton Rouge, the official said.
Authorities believe the girls’ mother, 35-year-old Callie Brunett, was killed the same day the girls were taken, according to Travis. The main suspect is Daniel Callihan, 36, who was in an “on-and-off relationship” with the mother, the chief deputy added.
Callihan was arrested on Thursday evening after police found him and the 6-year-old girl, who was “alive and well,” in Jackson, Travis said.
“Our hearts are with all those affected by this tragic event. These are unspeakable crimes,” Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Daniel Edwards said in a Facebook post. “We ask everyone to keep Callie’s family in your prayers.”
Here is a timeline of the case.
Callie Brunett found dead in bedroom
Travis said during an earlier news conference Thursday that Erin’s father went to the Loranger home at 8 a.m. after Callie Brunett’s parents had not heard from her since Tuesday afternoon. The father found Callie Brunett’s body in the bedroom and his daughters were gone, so he immediately called 911, the chief deputy added.
Sisters reported missing, Amber Alert issued
Soon after the girls’ father found their mother dead, Louisiana State Police and the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office issued an Amber Alert. Callihan was not named as a suspect, but police said in a Facebook post that they were searching for an “unknown white male” who was “wanted for questioning for a domestic violence incident, which occurred at the time of the abduction and resulted in a homicide.”
Police called the man, who they believed was driving a black 2012 Chrysler 200, “armed and dangerous.”
Search begins with few details
Amid the search, Travis said during the earlier news conference that the sheriff’s office did not have “any information” regarding the sisters’ whereabouts.
He said authorities searched Callie Brunett’s home and the woods throughout the area but concluded that the girls probably weren’t on the scene any longer.
“We can’t do nothing for the victim right now,” the chief deputy said. “Our priority is finding these two children and getting them back to their family safe and sound.”
Erin found dead, 6-year-old alive in Mississippi
Jackson police and Tangipahoa Parish sheriff’s deputies took Callihan into custody after he was tracked into Mississippi, Travis said during the evening news conference.
An undercover officer in Jackson noticed Callihan “checking houses,” so he decided to go investigate, according to Travis. Once the officer approached Callihan, the Louisiana man tried to flee, but he was eventually caught and arrested, he added.
Once in custody, Callihan directed officers to a car where the 6-year-old was found unharmed, Travis said. Callihan then showed officers to a wooded area not far from the vehicle, where Erin’s body was discovered, according to the chief deputy.
“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,” according to the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Facebook post.
Callihan is in custody at the Rankin County Detention Center in Brandon, Mississippi, WDSU and WVUE reported. He has not been formally charged with any crimes, as of Friday afternoon.
FBI launches ‘full investigation’ into Erin and Callie Brunett’s deaths
Multiple law enforcement agencies assisted in the search for the sisters, including the Jackson Police Department and the FBI, which announced it’s opening a “full investigation into the Brunett matter.”
“We will continue to collaborate with our local law enforcement partners at the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office and Jackson Police Department,” the agency said in a statement obtained by Fox 8.
Alleged accomplice arrested
Authorities have also arrested a 32-year-old woman, who is an alleged accomplice, according to Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade, WVUE reported. It is unclear what her role in the alleged abduction and murders was.
Elaine Hadley is a dedicated journalist covering the ever-evolving landscape of U.S. news. With a keen interest in politics and a commitment to uncovering the truth, she provides insightful commentary and in-depth analysis on domestic issues. When not reporting, Elaine enjoys exploring the diverse cultures and landscapes of the United States.
