In a chilling case that has shocked the United States, a custody dispute over an 11-month-old infant ended in his murder—committed by his own mother. Madeline Veronique Daly, 36, admitted to fatally shooting her son, Basil Stoner, inside a mobile home in New Mexico. She told investigators she carried out the act because she refused to let the child be placed in the custody of his father—and later stated that what she had done “was worth it.”
A Violation of Court Orders and a Desperate Flight
Daly had taken Basil from Wyoming and driven him to New Mexico, directly violating a court order granting temporary custody to the boy’s father, Jake Stoner. According to law enforcement, Stoner last saw his son on September 28. Authorities tracked Daly down on December 23, 2025, at a mobile home park near Silver City, New Mexico—after she submitted a job application in the area. During background checks, officials discovered an active arrest warrant for her related to the child’s abduction.
Standoff and Tragic Outcome
When officers arrived, they found Daly running inside the mobile home. Law enforcement surrounded the vehicle while securing a search warrant. Moments later, a single gunshot was heard. Officers entered the home and discovered Basil with a fatal gunshot wound to the face. Daly then attempted to turn the firearm on herself but was subdued and arrested.
After her arrest, Daly claimed she believed her actions kept her son “safe.” When asked what she thought as police approached, she reportedly said: “Jake can’t have Basil.” She also made unverified allegations—never substantiated—that the child would be “in danger and sexually abused” if she left the mobile home with him. She further claimed the father “never wanted any relationship” with Basil—a claim contradicted by court documents and prior statements from Stoner.
Guilty Plea and Life Sentence
On Monday, August 24, Daly pleaded guilty to first-degree murder before a court in Silver City, New Mexico. She now faces life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.