Judge approves adoption of 15-year-old Cheyenne by Gibbons family

The court approved the final decree of adoption for Cheyenne by Carla and Jeffrey Gibbons during the docket session, with Judge David D. Wolfe signing the decree and offering the child the option to change her surname.

Why it matters: The adoption converts the child's legal status from foster to permanent family membership. The transcript records sworn testimony, explicit consent by the child, and the judge’s formal approval on the record.

Carla and Jeffrey Gibbons testified under oath and confirmed the duration of their relationship with Cheyenne. Carla said she had known Cheyenne a little over a year and that Cheyenne has lived with the Gibbons family since July 2024. The judge addressed Cheyenne directly about her age and her right to consent; the record shows the child said she understood and confirmed she wanted to be adopted.

Judge Wolfe reviewed the file on the record, told the family he was “very happy that everything is in order,” and signed the final decree. The judge also offered the child an opportunity to change her legal surname during the proceedings, noting the court could enter an ORDER effecting any name change the child chose.

Practical effect: The decree grants the Gibbons family the rights and responsibilities of parentage toward Cheyenne equivalent to birth parentage, and it ends the child's foster status. The court directed the clerk to transmit the signed decree to the clerk’s office for recording.