An Amite, Louisiana man, Daniel Wayne Callihan, 37, entered a guilty plea for kidnapping that resulted in death and for transporting a minor across state lines to engage in criminal sexual activity, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office. The announcement was made following Callihan's appearance before U.S. District Judge Lance M. Africk. Callihan was initially charged on June 14, 2024, and has been held in federal custody since his arrest.
Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson acknowledged that today's legal proceedings "ensures that Daniel Wayne Callihan, will be held accountable for his heinous and atrocious crimes." The resolution comes after Callihan kidnapped and killed an adult victim and engaged in sexual battery with a minor, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Simpson praised the significant collaboration by law enforcement agencies in both Louisiana and Mississippi. Their combined effort was pivotal in bringing Callihan to justice.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Tapp expressed his agency's commitment to relentlessly pursuing those engaged in violent crimes, emphasizing the collective determination of all involved law enforcement partners in ensuring justice for the victims and the community. The outcome of the investigation and subsequent plea was also aided by the concerted efforts of various agencies including the U.S. Marshals Service, Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office, the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, and the Jackson Police Department.
Court documents reveal a chilling timeline where on or about June 12, 2024, Callihan brutally stabbed the mother of two young girls more than fifty times, leading to her death. He then kidnapped the two children and crossed state lines, committing further heinous acts. After the body of the adult victim was discovered, an investigation swiftly pinpointed Callihan's location, leading to the discovery of the younger child's body and the rescue of the elder sibling from a pit on a property in Jackson, Mississippi. Following his arrest, Callihan waived his Miranda rights and admitted to the crimes, a confession later corroborated by a co-conspirator's statements to law enforcement.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, for which sentencing is scheduled for November 19, 2025, Callihan faces a mandatory life sentence for the kidnapping charge and a minimum of ten years to potential life imprisonment for transporting a minor, along with fines and supervised release terms. The plea allows for sentences from these charges to run either concurrently or consecutively with any sentences from other jurisdictions. Simpson commended all involved departments for their dedication, including his own office's Victim/Witness Unit, and Assistant United States Attorneys Jordan Ginsberg and Sarah Dawkins, who are overseeing the prosecution.
