AMITE CITY, La. — It took a Tangipahoa Parish grand jury about three hours to formally charge a man and woman in last week’s brutal killing of a Loranger mother, 35-year-old Callie Brunett.
They were also indicted in the kidnapping and murder of Burnett’s 4-year-old daughter Erin and the kidnapping of her 6-year-old daughter Jalie.
“We have sufficient facts, obviously a sufficient factual background and support to support the indictments,” District Attorney Scott Perrilloux said.
Daniel Callihan was indicted on two charges of first-degree murder, one count of aggravated kidnapping of a child, and one count of second-degree kidnapping.
Victoria Cox was indicted on one count of first-degree murder, one count of aggravated kidnapping of a child, one count of second-degree kidnapping, and one count of being an accessory after the fact.
Perrilloux said he feels strongly Tangipahoa is the first place where this case should go to trial.
“If this happened anywhere this would be horrific and tragic,” Perrilloux said. “Happening where it did, it’s a quiet community. These things don’t happen like this very often here. It’s an extremely significant matter. I would expect it’s devastating. I know it’s devastating to the family.”
Perrilloux said there are ongoing discussions with Mississippi and federal prosecutors – as to how to proceed.
Cox and Callihan remain jailed in Mississippi where they face charges in the death of the young girl whose body was found south of Jackson.
The FBI is also investigating the case.
As for Callahan’s televised confession last Friday, Perrilloux said confessions are evidence and it played a role in Thursday’s indictments.
“I hope to have Callihan and Cox in for an arraignment in the near future.”
This is a potential capital murder case.
DA Perrilloux said he would like to speak with the Brunett family and wait on the full investigative report before deciding whether to seek the death penalty against Callihan and Cox.
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