At a Glance
- A Wyoming mother allegedly shot her 11-month-old son in the face on Dec. 23 to avoid surrendering him to his father.
- Madeline Daly, 35, had fled with Basil Stoner after a judge granted emergency custody to Jake Stoner.
- She now faces first-degree murder and child-abuse resulting in death charges in New Mexico.
- Why it matters: The tragedy highlights the extreme risks that can erupt from high-conflict custody disputes.
A months-long custody fight ended in horror when authorities say Madeline Daly killed her infant son rather than hand him over to his father, according to information first reported by Olivia M. Hartwell for News Of Los Angeles.
Custody Ruling Triggers Flight
Court records show Jake Stoner sought legal intervention after Daly allegedly cut off contact with their child. When Daly failed to appear at a scheduled Wyoming hearing, a judge granted Stoner emergency temporary custody of 11-month-old Basil.
Instead of complying, Daly left the state with the boy, prompting authorities to issue a felony kidnapping warrant on Nov. 19.
Manhunt Ends in Gunfire
Weeks later, a tip led Grant County, New Mexico, deputies to the Mimbres area. While searching, they spotted a woman carrying a child and rushing into a nearby RV, according to the sheriff’s office release.
Deputies attempted contact, but Daly refused to exit. After learning she might be armed, they requested a SWAT team.
Before officers could intervene, a single gunshot echoed from inside the vehicle. Deputies entered and found Daly holding a handgun to her own head and her son suffering a gunshot wound.
Life-saving efforts began immediately. Emergency personnel prepared the child for airlift to a hospital, but Basil died before transport.
Charges and Court Proceedings
Daly was arrested at the scene. Prosecutors later alleged in court that she shot the baby in the face to prevent his placement with his father, a detail first reported by Cowboy State Daily and confirmed by News Of Los Angeles.
She faces:
- Open count of first-degree murder, a capital offense
- Child abuse resulting in death
She is held without bond at the Grant County Detention Center and has not entered a plea. A conviction could bring a life sentence.
Father’s Fight for Contact
Friends described Stoner’s lengthy effort to secure parenting time. A GoFundMe organized in Basil’s memory states that after initial court-ordered visits, Stoner was “able to enjoy what he had dreamed of for the better part of his adult life: to be a father.”
“All he ever wanted to do was be a father,” the fundraiser reads.
Investigation Status
Authorities from Wyoming and New Mexico continue to review the sequence of events. Daly’s next court date has not been announced.
Key Takeaways
- Emergency custody orders can carry enforcement challenges when a parent flees jurisdiction.
- Cross-state coordination between agencies played a critical role in locating Daly after the kidnapping warrant was issued.
- The homicide charge underscores the severity of allegations when a child’s death occurs amid a custody dispute.
