Madeline Veronique Daly, a 36-year-old mother from Wyoming, has pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the death of her 11-month-old son, Basil Daly. Prosecutors said she shot the infant as law enforcement officers closed in on an RV in rural New Mexico.
The guilty plea, entered on August 26, means Daly now faces a possible life sentence in prison. The case has drawn fresh attention as the high-profile Lindsay Clancy trial continues to generate discussion about cases involving mothers accused of killing their children.
According to prosecutors, Daly admitted that she killed her son because she did not want the child’s father to obtain custody. Investigators said she later told officers that the killing was “worth it” if it prevented the child’s father and paternal relatives from seeing him again.
Custody dispute ended in fatal shooting
The case began in December 2025 after a Wyoming court granted Basil’s father emergency custody of the child. Prosecutors said that Daly had violated the court order by taking her son from Wyoming to neighboring New Mexico, which led to a kidnapping investigation.
Soon after, Grant County Sheriff’s deputies tracked Daly to a rural property near a highway in New Mexico. Authorities said officers located her outside a bunkhouse. But she ran into a nearby RV while carrying Basil as soon as she saw the officers.
Moments later, deputies heard a single gunshot. Officers forced their way into the RV and found Basil with a fatal gunshot wound to the face. The child died at the scene. Daly was taken into custody without further incident.
Court documents cited by investigators state that during the custody battle, Daly had said, “he was not going to allow her (then) 8-month-old baby go back and forth from Nebraska to Wyoming twice a month.” She therefore kidnapped him.
“Jake can’t get Basil”
Investigators said Daly made several statements after her arrest explaining her actions. According to police records, she said, “Jake can’t get Basil,” when asked what she thought after seeing officers approach the property.
Authorities also alleged that she claimed the child would have been in danger if returned to his father. However, those allegations against the father have not been proved.
The Sixth Judicial District Attorney’s Office noted that Daly had been held without bond following her arrest because of the seriousness of the charges and the circumstances surrounding the child’s death.
The office then announced that Daly pleaded guilty to first-degree murder as part of court proceedings held this week. Prosecutors said the conviction carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment under New Mexico law. Sentencing will take place at a later date.
