Madeline Daly sentenced in Grant County for murder of baby

Madeline Daly received a prison term in Grant County on Monday for first-degree murder. A New Mexico judge ordered her to serve 30 years behind bars for the fatal shooting of her infant son.

The term is the maximum penalty in the state for the charge. Daly previously pled guilty to the murder.

Grant County sheriff’s deputies said Daly fled from Wyoming in December 2025. She kidnapped her 11-month-old son before coming to the area.

Deputies responded on Dec. 23, 2025, to a rural property along Highway 15. A tip indicated Daly was there with an active Wyoming kidnapping warrant.

Deputies found Daly and her child inside an RV on the Grant County property. Law enforcement surrounded the vehicle. They worked to secure a search warrant.

Deputies heard a gunshot from inside the RV. They rushed into the vehicle. They found Daly had fatally shot the boy with a 9mm handgun.

Daly fought with deputies briefly. She was taken into custody. Deputies carried the child to an awaiting ambulance, but the infant died.

First-degree murder cases in New Mexico carry specific statutory sentencing limits under state law. Maximum prison terms require individuals to serve their time within state correctional facilities.

The Grant County case concluded following the formal sentencing hearing on Monday.