JACKSON, Miss. – A Mississippi grand jury has indicted 32-year-old Victoria Cox on charges of capital murder, kidnapping, and sexual battery following the tragic death of a child who was abducted along with her sister from Louisiana.
The case, which has drawn significant attention due to the horrific circumstances, also involves Daniel Callihan, 36, who faces similar charges in both Mississippi and Louisiana, including additional charges related to the murder of 35-year-old Callie Brunett, who authorities believe was killed by Callihan in Loranger, Louisiana, before the abduction of the children.
According to the Tangipahoa Parish Coroner Rick Foster, Callie Brunett sustained multiple sharp force injuries, with wounds identified on her head, neck, chest, abdomen, and back, as well as defensive wounds on her arms. Following a report by her parents, her body was discovered by her father in her locked mobile home.
In a tragic turn, 3-year-old Erin Brunett was found dead in a wooded area in Jackson, Mississippi. The Hinds County coroner determined her death was due to asphyxiation caused by suffocation. Her sister, 6-year-old Jalie Brunett, was found alive and taken to a Jackson hospital where she was treated and subsequently released.
The investigation has taken a deeper turn as Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade hinted at possible human trafficking links to the case after discovering evidence, including small animal cages at the site where Erin was found dead. Both the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation’s Human Traffication Divisions and Hinds County authorities are involved in further assessments.
Authorities apprehended Callihan and Cox shortly after an Amber Alert brought widespread attention to the abduction. During subsequent interrogations, Callihan implicated Cox in the ongoing investigation.
The grim events have led to a call from a state representative in Louisiana to reevaluate how Amber Alerts are managed and issued in the state, citing the need for more effective protocols to prevent similar tragedies.
As the legal processes unfold, information continues to be gathered. Law enforcement agencies encourage anyone with more information to come forward to assist in the ongoing case.
This case will see both suspects facing trials that span multiple charges and cross state lines, underlining the severity and complexity of the alleged crimes. They remain in custody, with proceedings expected to draw continued public and legal scrutiny.