An Amite, Louisiana man has been sentenced to consecutive life terms in prison after pleading guilty to federal charges of kidnapping resulting in death and transporting a minor across state lines with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. Daniel Wayne Callihan, 38, received the sentence from United States District Judge Lance M. Africk. In addition to his prison term, Callihan was ordered to pay $260,000 in restitution to the victims’ family and a $200 special assessment fee.
The sentences will be served consecutively both with each other and with sentences imposed on Callihan for related crimes prosecuted in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, and Hinds County, Mississippi.
Court documents state that on or about June 12, 2024, Callihan was at the Loranger, Louisiana home of an adult woman and her two daughters. He stabbed the woman more than fifty times, killing her. Afterward, he kidnapped her four-year-old and six-year-old daughters using the victim’s car and drove them to McComb, Mississippi.
Callihan later returned with both minors to Amite before picking up a co-conspirator. They then traveled together to a residence on Boozier Drive in Jackson, Mississippi.
On the evening of June 12 or early June 13, authorities say Callihan and his co-conspirator sexually assaulted the six-year-old child. At that time, Callihan intended for criminal sexual acts against Minor Victim 2 according to laws in both Louisiana and Mississippi.
Later on June 13 at the Jackson property, Callihan suffocated Minor Victim 1 by holding her tightly against his chest until she died.
After Adult Victim 1’s body was discovered later that day, law enforcement began investigating. Officers located Callihan and recovered the vehicle used in the crime. A search of the Boozier Drive property led authorities to discover Minor Victim 1 deceased alongside Minor Victim 2 in a pit.
Following his arrest and after waiving his Miranda rights, Callihan admitted responsibility for stabbing Adult Victim 1 to death as well as kidnapping both children using their mother’s vehicle. He further confessed that he and his co-conspirator transported both minors across state lines where they committed sexual battery on Minor Victim 2 and that he killed Minor Victim 1 by suffocation. The co-conspirator also corroborated these admissions during questioning by law enforcement.
Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson commended several agencies for their involvement: “I want to praise the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating this matter,” said Simpson. “I also express appreciation for the great support provided by the United States Marshals Service, the Tangipahoa Sheriff’s Office, the Tangipahoa Parish District Attorney’s Office, the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, and the Jackson (Mississippi) Police Department.” Simpson further recognized “the exceptional work of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Louisiana Victim/Witness Unit.”
Assistant United States Attorneys Jordan Ginsberg (Chief of Public Integrity Unit) and Sarah Dawkins (Violent Crime Unit) led prosecution efforts.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide Department of Justice initiative launched in May 2006 designed to combat child sexual exploitation through coordination among federal prosecutors as well as state and local agencies. More information can be found at www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
