Daniel Wayne Callihan, a 37-year-old resident of Amite, Louisiana, has pleaded guilty to federal charges related to the kidnapping and death of a minor and the transportation of a minor across state lines for criminal sexual activity. The plea was entered before United States District Judge Lance M. Africk in New Orleans.
Callihan was charged with kidnapping resulting in death under Title 18, United States Code, Section 1201(a), and transporting a minor in interstate commerce with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity under Title 18, United States Code, Section 2423(a). He has been held in federal custody since being charged by complaint on June 14, 2024.
“Today’s resolution ensures that Daniel Wayne Callihan, will be held accountable for his heinous and atrocious crimes,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson. “This successful prosecution is the result of the significant collaboration by local, state, and federal agencies across Louisiana and Mississippi. Their collective dedication and hard work ensured that Mr. Callihan will now face justice.”
Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Tapp of the FBI New Orleans Field Office added: “The FBI is committed to relentlessly pursuing violent predators and our hearts go out to the families of these victims. Every law enforcement partner who worked on this case was determined to deliver justice for the Brunett family and the people of Tangipahoa Parish. The FBI thanks the U.S. Marshals Service, Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office, Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, and the Jackson Police Department for their efforts to make sure Daniel Callihan will never do anything like this again.”
Court documents detail that on or about June 12, 2024, Callihan was inside a Loranger, Louisiana residence where he stabbed an adult female victim more than fifty times before kidnapping her two daughters—ages four and six—and driving them to McComb, Mississippi using the victim’s vehicle.
Callihan then returned with both minors to Amite before picking up another individual identified as Co-Conspirator 1. Together they traveled to Jackson, Mississippi. During this period between June 12-13, both Callihan and Co-Conspirator 1 engaged in sexual battery with one of the minors.
On June 13 at a property on Boozier Drive in Jackson, Callihan suffocated one of the children—the four-year-old—to death.
After discovery of the adult victim’s body later that day prompted an investigation by multiple law enforcement agencies from both states as well as federal authorities. Authorities located Callihan and recovered both children from a pit at the Boozier Drive property; one child had died while the other survived.
Following his arrest and after waiving his Miranda rights, Callihan admitted responsibility for stabbing the adult victim to death; kidnapping both children; transporting them across state lines; committing sexual battery with Co-Conspirator 1 against one child; and killing one child by suffocation. These admissions were corroborated by statements from Co-Conspirator 1 given voluntarily after being advised of their rights.
As part of his plea agreement with prosecutors—which is subject to court approval—the government agreed not to seek the death penalty on Count One (kidnapping resulting in death). For this count alone he faces mandatory life imprisonment along with possible fines up to $250,000 per count plus special assessment fees. On Count Two (transporting a minor for criminal sexual activity), he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years up to life imprisonment as well as similar financial penalties.
Sentencing is scheduled for November 19, 2025 before Judge Africk. The sentences may run either concurrently or consecutively between counts or alongside any other sentences imposed by courts in Louisiana or Mississippi where related cases are pending.
Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson commended multiple agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation; United States Marshals Service; Tangipahoa Sheriff’s Office; Tangipahoa Parish District Attorney’s Office; Mississippi Bureau of Investigation; Jackson Police Department; as well as staff within his own office who assisted victims during proceedings.
This prosecution falls under Project Safe Childhood—a national initiative launched by the Department of Justice aimed at combating child exploitation through coordinated efforts among federal prosecutors such as those from United States Attorneys’ Offices working alongside state/local resources [more information](www.projectsafechildhood.gov).
