The Wyoming Supreme Court recently upheld the termination of parental rights for Hailey Nicole Keller and Corey Phillip Cruz regarding their three minor children. This ruling, issued on July 15, 2026, is significant as it underscores the court's commitment to child welfare in cases of neglect and parental unfitness.
The court's decision affects the family involved, particularly the three children, who are now aged eight, six, and four. The ruling emphasizes the importance of ensuring a safe and stable environment for children, especially in cases where parents have struggled with substance abuse and neglect.
Background
Hailey Nicole Keller and Corey Phillip Cruz are the parents of four children, but only three were involved in this case. The couple has been in a long-term relationship but has never married. Their troubles began in May 2022 when the Rawlins Police found their middle child wandering alone in the streets, leading to the Department of Family Services (the Department) taking the children into protective custody due to concerns about neglect and substance use.
After a brief period during which the children were returned home, the Department intervened again in April 2023 when the same child was found wandering. This led to a series of safety plans and court orders aimed at rehabilitating the parents and ensuring the children's safety. However, despite some compliance, the parents struggled with substance use and failed to maintain consistent contact with the Department.
In October 2024, the Department filed a petition to terminate the parental rights of both Keller and Cruz. The case went through several hearings, and in October 2025, the district court issued an order terminating their rights, citing clear and convincing evidence of unfitness.
The Ruling
The Wyoming Supreme Court affirmed the district court's decision to terminate the parental rights of both Keller and Cruz. The court found that the Department had provided sufficient evidence to support the termination under Wyoming Statutes, specifically Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 14-2-309(a)(iii) and (v).
The court ruled, "The Department's shortcomings did not affect Father’s fundamental rights to parent the children and Father abandoned any sufficiency of the evidence challenge under Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 14-2-309(a)(v)."
Chief Justice Boomgaarden, along with Justices Gray, Fenn, Jarosh, and Hill, emphasized that the evidence presented was sufficient to demonstrate that both parents were unfit to have custody of their children. The court noted that the parents' ongoing struggles with substance abuse and their failure to comply with court-ordered safety plans were critical factors in the decision.
Impact
This ruling has significant implications for child welfare cases in Wyoming and potentially sets a precedent for how similar cases may be handled in the future. The court's affirmation of the termination of parental rights highlights the state's commitment to protecting the welfare of children, especially in cases where parents exhibit patterns of neglect and substance abuse.
The decision also clarifies that the Department of Family Services does not need to prove reasonable efforts for reunification in every case of termination under Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 14-2-309(a)(v). This could influence future cases where the Department seeks to terminate parental rights under similar circumstances.
What's Next
While the decision by the Wyoming Supreme Court is final, Keller and Cruz may have limited options for appeal. Details were not available in the court filing regarding any related cases or further legal actions that may be pursued by the parents.