More than two weeks after a 10-month-old boy was reported missing, authorities have issued a felony arrest warrant for his mother, who’s accused of taking the baby.
Madeline Daly is wanted one count of felony custody interference after absconding with her son, Basil Daly, on Nov. 16, according to Washakie County Sheriff Austin Brookwell, who said the warrant includes nation-wide extradition should she be located.
Daly’s grey 2017 Dodge Ram pickup was last seen in the Worland area in the Big Horn Basin in north-central Wyoming with her last known address at an RV park in Ten Sleep.
The boy was reported missing by his biological father, Jake Stoner, who lives in Kilgore, Nebraska.
Daly failed to show up for a custody court hearing Oct. 21, at which point Stoner was granted temporary emergency custody by Washakie County District Judge Bobbi Overfield.
The couple has shared custody, which Stoner said Daly has not been granting. His last visit with his son was in Wyoming on Sept. 28.
The Washakie County Sheriff’s Office continues its search efforts with no new updates to report, Brookwell said.
“We are continuing to follow any leads we get and work with any resources accessible to bring Basil back to the custodial parent,” Brookwell told Cowboy State Daily on Wednesday.
Feeling ‘Robbed’
Meanwhile, Stoner waits for news and updates from his ranch in Kilgore, where Daly had once lived prior to the couple’s separation.
The couple, who were never married, have been embroiled in a custody battle since their son was born.
Stoner said that he’s been fighting Daly for months to honor his visitation rights.
“I feel like I'm getting robbed of the joys of being a dad,” he said Wednesday from his home in Nebraska. “I have always wanted children, and I want my son, but I just can't see him.”
He’s even more worried as winter begins to settle in in Wyoming not knowing where his son is or if he’s being well cared for.
“I just hope they’re somewhere safe and warm,” Stoner said.
Doesn’t Qualify For Amber Alert
Although authorities were able to issue a be-on-the-lookout (BOLO) alert, which gives law enforcement probable cause to pull over Daly’s vehicle but not detain her, this situation does not rise to the requirements of an Amber Alert.
Stoner’s attorney, Christopher King, lamented this fact in an earlier interview because of the high visibility of such cases.
BOLLaw enforcement issued a national Be On the Lookout (BOLO) for Daly on Oct. 20, Brookwell said, adding that his office has forwarded a probable cause affidavit to Washakie County Attorney Anthony Barton to get a felony warrant for Daly for interference.The couple, who were never married, have been embroiled in ongoing custody battles in recent months with Stoner attempting to force Daly to comply with his legal visitation rights with his son, according to Stoner’s lawyer, Christopher King.
He told Cowboy State Daily that Amber Alerts are rarely granted in such custody situations.
“Very rarely do they issue them for a parent,” King said. "Which, I think, is definitely something that would help in this situation."
Amber Alerts are only issued in cases where children have been abducted and that law enforcement believes are in imminent danger of serious bodily injury or death, which Brookwell said is not applicable at this time.
Off The Grid
Stoner described Daly as an avid outdoors enthusiast and athlete who loves camping.
He thinks she may be off grid and staying in Wyoming, at national parks, or on Bureau of Land Management land.
Daly, who is a dual French and United States citizen, is originally from Lincoln, Nebraska, but has ties to other places she’s lived, including Hill City, South Dakota, Thermopolis, and Moab, Utah, Stoner said.
She also has family in the Denver area and has worked and lived on various ranches and other places throughout the Midwest and West.
She also has family in the Denver area and has worked and lived on various ranches and other places from the Midwest to West Coast.
He described her as very resourceful, who has in the past cleaned houses for cash or picked up other gig work as needed.
Along with Basil, Daly is also traveling with two adult dogs — a black female pit bull and cattle dog — as well as a black-and-white puppy she recently acquired for their son.
Exploring All Options
Stoner thanked law enforcement for their efforts in searching for Daly and his son, and said he’s been in regular contact with the Washakie County Sheriff’s Office, which has told him that they are exploring all of their options.
“They’re putting in their best effort,” Stoner said. “Unfortunately, I just think it’s going to take some time to find her, but I know they’re hard at work.”
Daly is driving a 2017 gray Dodge Ram pickup with Wyoming license plate 20-T-2234.
She’s described as being thin and fit with long brown hair and brown eyes with a septum nose ring.
Stoner announced Wednesday that he's putting up a $10,000 reward for any information leading to the safe return of his son.
"I feel like every day, time-wise, he's in greater danger the longer this takes," Stoner said.
Anyone with information or those who have seen her are asked to contact the Washakie County Sheriff’s Office at 307-347-2242 or Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigations at 307-777-7181.
Tips can also be submitted anonymously on DCI’s website.
Jen Kocher can be reached at jen@cowboystatedaily.com.
