Man arrested in ‘brutal’ kidnapping, murder of girlfriend and her daughter, cops say
UPDATE: Erin Brunett has been found dead, and Jalie Brunett has been located safe, Tangipahoa Parish Chief Deputy Jimmy Travis told news outlets in a briefing shared by WBRZ. The mother’s boyfriend was arrested in Jackson, Mississippi.
“Our hearts are with all those affected by this tragic event,” Sheriff Daniel Edwards said in a statement. “These are unspeakable crimes,” “We ask everyone to keep Callie’s family in your prayers.”
The original story is below.
An Amber Alert has been issued for two young girls kidnapped in Louisiana, according to state police.
Erin Brunett, 3, and Jalie Brunett, 6, were still “unaccounted for” Thursday, June 13, after their mother Callie Brunett was found dead at the family’s home in Loranger, WVUE reported, citing the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Callie Brunett, 35, had been missing for more than 24 hours before her body was found, authorities told the outlet. Her death is being investigated as a homicide.
McClatchy News reached out to the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office for more information and was awaiting a response.
Investigators believe Erin and Jalie were taken before 8 a.m. during what they described as a “domestic violence incident,” according to a news release from Louisiana State Police.
Their mother’s car, a black 2012 Chrysler 200 with Louisiana tag 859GML, was also taken, WDSU reported.
“The driver of this vehicle is believed to be armed and dangerous,” police said. “Extreme caution should be used.”
Authorities are looking to question an “unknown white male” in connection with the incident.
Erin Brunett has brown hair and brown eyes, is 3 feet tall and weighs about 32 pounds, according to police. Jalie Brunett has brown hair and blue eyes, is 4 feet tall and weighs about 58 pounds.
It’s not clear what either child was wearing when they were taken.
Authorities didn’t release additional details.
Anyone with information on Erin and Jalie’s whereabouts is asked to call the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office at 985-747-9696 or 911.
Loranger is about a 60-mile drive northeast from downtown Baton Rouge.
This story was originally published June 13, 2024 at 12:07 PM with the headline "Man arrested in ‘brutal’ kidnapping, murder of girlfriend and her daughter, cops say."