Trial of woman set for death of kidnapped child in Mississippi

JACKSON, Mississippi (WJTV) – The woman charged in connection with the kidnapping of two Louisiana girls that ended with the death of one of them in Mississippi appeared in court Tuesday, July 23.

According to court records, the trial of Victoria Cox, 32, in Hinds County District Court is scheduled for March 24, 2025, at 11:00 a.m.

On Tuesday, a court order appointed attorney Chris Routh as Cox’s attorney. Documents state that Routh will represent Cox in court cases and trials in Hinds County courts.

A Hinds County grand jury previously indicted Cox on felony charges of kidnapping and sexual assault in connection with the case. She pleaded not guilty in Hinds County District Court. The grand jury also indicted 36-year-old Daniel Callihan on one count of felony, two counts of kidnapping, three counts of sexual assault and one count of receiving stolen property.

Sean Tindell, commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Public Safety (DPS), said Callihan and Cox will face charges in both Mississippi and Louisiana.

Callihan is suspected of killing 35-year-old Callie Brunett in Loranger, Louisiana, in June 2024.

According to Tangipahoa Parish Coroner Rick Foster, Callie Brunett died of “multiple sharp force injuries.” He said she had multiple stab wounds to her head, neck, chest, abdomen and back. Foster also said Brunett suffered what appeared to be defensive wounds to her arms.

Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Daniel Edwards said Callie Brunett was found dead on the floor of her bedroom in her locked trailer on North Cooper Road by her father after her parents reported her missing 24 hours earlier.

Investigators told the Associated Press that Callihan and Callie Brunett had a relationship.

According to Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade, three-year-old Erin Brunett was found dead in a wooded area near Boozier Drive on Thursday, June 13. Her sister, six-year-old Jalie Brunett, was taken to a Jackson hospital for treatment and later released.

The Jackson police chief said there was evidence of possible human trafficking at the crime scene on Boozier Drive, including small animal cages. Wade said Jackson police contacted the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI) and Hinds County human trafficking units to investigate the crime scene. He also said the Jackson crime scene was investigated for three days.

Authorities said an Amber Alert had been issued for the two girls who were abducted after their mother was murdered in Loranger.

Callihan and Cox were both arrested in Jackson. Wade announced on Monday, June 17, that Callihan had implicated Cox in the case.

In Louisiana, Callihan was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, aggravated child abduction and second-degree kidnapping. Cox was charged with first-degree murder, aggravated child abduction, second-degree kidnapping and aiding and abetting first-degree murder. Callihan has since been extradited to Louisiana.

Anyone with additional information about the incident can contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.