Police say while conducting a welfare check around 1:30 p.m., officers had to force entry after no one came to the door.
Inside, they found the woman's body - she had been stabbed multiple times.
Detectives quickly sent out a city-wide alert that identified the woman's daughter, 28-year-old Selena Bass-Vasquez, as the suspect, who they believed at the time to be armed and dangerous and travelling with her one-year-old son in a dark silver Toyota CHR.
"A citizen recognized the vehicle in the alert at a nearby park and contacted the Merced Police Department," says Merced Police Sgt. Justin Saldivar.
The Merced Police Department and the California Highway patrol responded to Rahilly Park, where they found and arrested Bass-Vasquez without further incident.
Police say her toddler, who was found there with her, was unharmed and is now safe and in the custody of Child Protective Services.
The killing left the community in shock.
"I just can't fathom that no matter how mad you are or what not, that's your own parent, and the sad thing is it's probably the one person who's probably always going to take you in and have your back no matter what you're going through in life," says Ronnie Martin.
Martin says he knew the victim for over 30 years and had just spoken with her the night before her murder.
Like many others, he's now left only with unanswered questions and memories of his friend.
"She was a real good person," he said. "A real good spirit."
Authorities are still investigating what led to the murder.
Police did not release any further details other than that Bass-Vasquez had been living in her mother's apartment with her and her son.
If you are the victim of domestic abuse, or you know someone who is, there is help available 24/7. In Fresno County, call the Marjaree Mason Center at (559) 233-4357. In all other locations, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at (800) 799-7233.
Kerry Mannix is a general assignment reporter for ABC30 Action News. For news updates, follow her on Instagram.