One child found dead, sibling safe; suspect arrested after mother found “brutally murdered”

LORANGER, La. (WVUE) - UPDATE: The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office reported the recovery of 4-year-old Erin Brunett’s body. Her 6-year-old sister, Jalie Brunett, was found alive. The suspect, Daniel Callihan, was arrested in Jackson, Mississippi.

Police found the six-year-old alive in Mississippi, with Callihan, according to authorities. Erin’s body was a few yards from where her sister was found alive.

The 4-year-old was found in a wooded area near the car driven by Daniel Callihan. Inside the vehicle, officers found the 6-year-old girl alive.

She was taken to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Her grandparents are on their way to Jackson to be with her.

“You don’t want to see that as a police chief; you don’t want to see that as a father,” said Chief Joseph Wade from the Jackson Police Department. “A coward took this child from her family.”

The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation and Jackson PD are also involved in the investigation.

ORIGINAL STORY: According to the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office, 35-year-old Callie Brunett, their mother, was missing for over 24 hours before being found “brutally murdered” in her home at 56044 N. Cooper Road. Her death is being investigated as a homicide.

Her two small children, 6-year-old Jalie and 4-year-old Erin were “unaccounted for,” Sheriff Daniel Edwards said in a 10:34 a.m. press release.