Mother said killing her infant son was ‘worth it’ to keep his father from getting custody. Now she’s sentenced to life

Madeline Daly told investigators that keeping her infant son away from his father made what she had done “worth it,” according to TrueCrimeNews. Nine months after Daly killed 11-month-old Basil Stoner during a custody dispute that crossed state lines, a judge sentenced her to life in prison.

The 36-year-old Wyoming mother received her sentence September 28 in New Mexico after pleading guilty to first-degree murder in August. Daly must serve at least 30 years before a parole board can consider her for release.

The case began in Wyoming, where a judge granted Basil’s father, Jake Stoner, emergency temporary custody after Daly missed an October 2025 court hearing. Stoner later reported his son missing when Daly did not turn him over as ordered.

The custody dispute led authorities from Wyoming to New Mexico

According to the Silver City Daily Press, Daly traveled to Grant County and contacted a former employer while looking for work. After that employer had no positions available, she applied elsewhere. A business owner conducting a background check discovered an outstanding Wyoming warrant connected to the custody case and notified authorities.

Investigators traced Daly to an RV park in the Mimbres area on Dec. 23, 2025. When law enforcement arrived, Daly went inside an RV with Basil and refused requests to come out.

Authorities attempted to communicate with her before hearing a gunshot and entering the RV. First responders found Basil critically injured and began lifesaving efforts while preparing to transport him by helicopter.

The 11-month-old died before that transport could take place. New Mexico authorities arrested Daly on an open count of first-degree murder and child abuse resulting in death while the Wyoming case remained pending.

Authorities arrested Daly and charged her in New Mexico with an open count of first-degree murder and child abuse resulting in death, while she also faced an outstanding Wyoming case. What she later told investigators became one of the most notable details in the case. According to reporting based on the arrest affidavit, Daly said her first thought when she saw law enforcement approaching was, “Jake can’t get Basil.”

She also said she believed Basil would be unsafe with Stoner and his family. Investigators said Daly described what she had done as “worth it” because she believed it kept her son away from them.

Daly pleaded guilty before receiving a life sentence

Daly pleaded guilty to first-degree murder on Aug. 24, 2026, avoiding a trial later that year. The conviction carried a life sentence under New Mexico law.

At sentencing, the question was whether Daly would ever become eligible for parole. District Judge Tom Stewart ultimately imposed life with parole eligibility after 30 years rather than life without the possibility of release.

That does not mean Daly will automatically leave prison after three decades. A parole board can consider Daly for release after she serves 30 years and will then decide whether to grant parole.

During the Sept. 28 hearing, prosecutors presented a written statement from Stoner. Daly also addressed the court and described her actions as “inexcusable,” according to the Albuquerque Journal. District Attorney Norman Wheeler said after sentencing that the case had affected Basil’s family, first responders, and the community.

Basil was 11 months old when he died. His obituary described him as a happy, alert child who enjoyed being outside, watching animals, and eating blueberries.

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