Victoria Cox quietly took a plea deal in Tangipahoa Parish this week, admitting to obstruction of justice and attempted aggravated kidnapping in a cross-state case that began with a Loranger murder and ended with a 4-year-old's body found south of Jackson. The agreement drops two felony counts yet still leaves Cox staring at decades behind bars under separate Louisiana and Mississippi sentences. Cox appeared in court by video and is scheduled to return Monday for formal sentencing, while prosecutors have already locked in lengthy prison terms for her alleged co-defendant, Daniel Callihan.
Plea Deal In Tangipahoa Parish
In Tangipahoa Parish, Cox pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice and attempted aggravated kidnapping of a child, and prosecutors agreed to dismiss first-degree murder and second-degree kidnapping charges as part of the deal, according to WDSU. A judge imposed a 10-year sentence for obstruction and 50 years for the attempted kidnapping, to be served back-to-back for a total of 60 years in Louisiana, the outlet reported. The plea spares prosecutors a Louisiana trial while leaving Cox's earlier Mississippi convictions untouched.
Mississippi Sentence Already In Place
Months earlier in Hinds County, Cox pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and kidnapping and received a 40-year sentence for the murder and 25 years for the kidnapping, with those terms ordered to run at the same time, WBRZ reported. That Mississippi sentence remains in effect, and the Tangipahoa Parish time will be stacked on top of it. Court filings indicate prosecutors on both sides of the state line ultimately chose to resolve the sprawling case through negotiated pleas after a lengthy multiagency investigation.
How Authorities Say The Abduction Unfolded
Investigators say the case began in June 2024 when Callie Brunett was found murdered inside her Loranger home, and her daughters, 6-year-old Jalie and 4-year-old Erin, were taken from the scene, according to WAPT. Law enforcement later located the children in south Jackson. Erin was found dead in the area of McCluer Road and Boozier Drive, while her older sister was discovered alive and later reunited with relatives. Authorities arrested Cox and Callihan in Jackson in June 2024, and subsequent filings alleged the children were abused while in their custody.
Co-Defendant Sentenced To Federal Life Terms
Callihan, who investigators say killed Brunett and took the children across state lines, pleaded guilty to federal kidnapping charges and received two mandatory life sentences in federal court. He will serve those terms at Angola State Penitentiary, according to WDSU. Callihan has also entered guilty pleas in state courts in both Louisiana and Mississippi and faces lengthy state sentences on top of his federal time. Prosecutors have repeatedly described the crimes in filings and hearings as particularly brutal.
Prosecutors' Comments
In Hinds County court, prosecutors told the judge that Cox had multiple chances to intervene and, in the words of the district attorney, "did not move me at all" and "could have done more," according to WAPT. Family members and advocates say the case highlights failures at several levels and have renewed calls for long-term support for the surviving child. Victim-support organizations say they intend to keep pressing for services as the criminal proceedings wind down.
What Comes Next
Cox's formal sentencing in Tangipahoa Parish is scheduled for Monday, and prosecutors say she could receive up to 60 years under the Louisiana plea while the Mississippi terms she already received continue to be carried out by the Mississippi Department of Corrections, WBRZ reports. Once all state and federal time is tallied, Cox is expected to spend the rest of her life in prison unless there is some extraordinary legal development. The court docket remains open for any post-plea motions or restitution issues ahead of Monday's hearing.
