Louisiana
1 of 2 abducted Louisiana children is found dead in Mississippi after their mother is killed
JACKSON, Miss. — A Louisiana woman was found dead in her home Thursday, and her two young daughters were abducted and found hours later in Mississippi — one dead and the other alive, police said.
A Louisiana resident who had dated the woman was arrested in Jackson, Mississippi, in connection with the deaths and abduction, investigators said.
“He had the victim’s car along with her alive-and-well 6-year-old child,” said Chief Deputy Jimmy Travis of the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Office in Louisiana.
The body of the other child, a 4-year-old, was found near the car in a wooded area in Jackson, Travis said.
Louisiana State Police issued an Amber Alert for the children after their mother, Callie Brunett, was found dead in her home in Loranger, about 60 miles (97 kilometers) east of Baton Rouge. She had been reported missing after no one had spoken with her since Tuesday, Travis said. A cause of death was not immediately released.
“This was just an unspeakable crime,” Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Daniel Edwards said. “Our hearts and prayers go out to the victims’ family. It was a horrendous tragedy.”
Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade said officers contacted the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation’s human trafficking division about the case. He said small animal cages were discovered at the wooded area where the children were found.
“He tried to do away with the children by taking them into this wooded area,” Wade said of the suspect, adding, “This was a horrible, horribly tragic situation that was committed by the actions of a coward.”
The increased threat of severe weather is driving Louisiana’s insurance crisis. There are no easy solutions, but state regulators should not make the situation worse. Unfortunately, this is precisely what Commissioner Tim Temple did during the 2024 legislative session.
Temple worked to pass legislation that makes it easier for insurers to cancel policies and harder for storm victims to file claims. His package does nothing to lower insurance rates. In fact, it allows insurers to raise rates more frequently.
The centerpiece of Temple’s package repeals Louisiana’s three-year rule, enabling insurers to non-renew tens of thousands of policies, which will result in more policies migrating to Citizens, the insurer of last resort. Louisiana won’t solve an insurance crisis that revolves around a lack of availability by forcing people to insure with “the last resort.”
Another part of Temple’s package allows rate increases to go into effect without prior approval from the Department of Insurance. It also allows more frequent rate changes. This follows Temple’s elimination of the cap on expected profits insurers file with the state. Temple’s push to deregulate the industry will lead to insurers raising rates on Louisiana policyholders more frequently.
Other bills in Temple’s package gut vital consumer protections and weaken laws that hold insurers who act in bad faith accountable. While Commissioner Temple advocated for these bills, he was sitting on the results of an investigation by his department that, according to the newspaper, found that after Hurricane Ida two companies “failed to pay claims on time in nearly a quarter of cases.” Temple kept his promise to the industry to be “a more friendly department,” choosing not to fine them.
Louisiana is facing a climate-fueled insurance crisis. Unfortunately, Commissioner Temple’s approach focuses more on Big Insurance’s profit margins than on providing relief for suffering homeowners and small businesses.
BEN RIGGS
executive director, Real Reform Louisiana
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry signed a bill into law Wednesday making Louisiana the first state to require public school classrooms to display the Ten Commandments. Schools will also be authorized, but not required, to display the Mayflower Compact, the Declaration of Independence, and the Northwest Ordinance.
In creating the bill, HB 71, the Louisiana House relied heavily on the 2019 US Supreme Court case, American Legion v. American Humanists Association, and the 2005 case Van Orden v. Perry. The court in Van Orden held that the Establishment Clause under the First Amendment did not prohibit all forms of government legislation or action that had a religious intent or context. The American Legion case reapplied the test conducted in Van Orden, finding that a memorial cross did not violate the Establishment Clause. The House claimed to emphasize the intent of these cases by continuing “the rich tradition and ensure that the students in our public schools may understand and appreciate the foundational documents of our state and national government.”
On May 28th, the House passed the bill with 79 yeas and only 16 nays, with 10 absent. On Wednesday morning, the bill was signed into law during a press conference on education. Governor Landry took to X, formerly Twitter, to advertise, saying in part, “Today, we are fulfilling our campaign promise to bring reform to our education system and common sense back to our classrooms.”
Many are questioning the constitutionality of the law, warning of various legal battles that may arise. The Freedom From Religion Foundatation (FFRF) reposted an article on their X page where the Governor was quoted saying, “I can’t wait to be sued” and responded, “He won’t have to wait long.” Although other states including Texas and Oklahoma, have attempted to pass similar laws, the potential legal battles have left them with little success.
As it stands, the posters meant to be displayed will be provided through donations. No state funds will go towards the implementation of this law.
Update: Since the publication of this post, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) announced that it, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and FFRF will be suing Louisiana over the newly passed law.
Recently, former and current residents, family, friends, and staff gathered for the 2024 Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home Reunion. This year was especially momentous as the ministry celebrated its 125th Anniversary. The reunion drew over 200 attendees, with alumni traveling from as far away as Canada and New Hampshire to reconnect and reminisce with their loved ones. The group not only enjoyed great food and entertainment but also found the most joy in perusing hundreds of photos and sharing deeply personal stories from their past with their “family.”
A former resident and current LBCH Trustee, Ricky Bullock, shared a heartfelt sentiment: “I keep telling everyone you know I left here 53 years ago, and I still tell people this is home.”
A standout moment of the reunion was the unveiling the Children’s Home’s new Legacy Room. This room displays a historical timeline of the ministry along with photos and artifacts collected over the years, beautifully narrating how God has provided love, care, and hope for children and families in need for 125 years. The Legacy Room is now open for tours by appointment.
The origins of this enduring ministry trace back to Pastor William Cooksey’s compassionate vision to start an orphanage in 1899. From the first donation—a silver dollar by fourteen-year-old Jim Bowen—to the present day, Louisiana Baptists have upheld their commitment to meeting needs and changing lives through the Christ-centered ministries of the Children’s Home. This legacy of love, care, and hope has touched countless lives, a testament to the enduring impact of our ministry.
Under the direction of President and CEO Dr. Perry Hancock, the services of the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home & Family Ministries currently include:
-Residential Child Care (Private Placement and DCFS Placement)-Residential Family Care (Homeless children and mothers)-Foster & Adoption Ministries-Granberry Counseling Centers-Women’s Learning Center (includes HiSET training and testing)-Minister Care Residential Program-Compassion for Kids-International Orphan Care
For more information, visit lbch.org or call 318.343.2244
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