Alabama Mother Gets Life for Hiring Hitman in Custody Battle

An Alabama woman, Jaclyn Skuce, 43, received a life sentence on Friday after being convicted of capital murder. Authorities stated that Skuce hired a hitman to kill her child's father during a contentious custody dispute. The motive was to prevent the father from securing custody or further visitation rights with their child. The victim, Anthony Larry Sheppard, was found deceased in his residence on July 24, 2020, after his attorney requested a welfare check when Sheppard missed a court hearing. Evidence revealed Skuce used social media to contract Logan Delp for the assassination, offering $30,000. Delp was previously convicted of capital murder in October 2025. In total, four other defendants have been charged with capital murder in relation to Sheppard's death, with one pleading guilty and two awaiting trial. Skuce will serve her sentence without parole in the Alabama Department of Corrections.