Kelsey Berreth Daughter Custody 2025: A Tragic Murder Case And The Lingering Fight For A Child
What happened to Kelsey Berreth’s daughter, Kaylee, in the years following her mother’s brutal murder and her father’s conviction? The custody battle for the child remains a poignant and unresolved chapter of this Colorado tragedy, with implications stretching into 2025 and beyond.
The murder of Kelsey Berreth in 2018 shocked the nation, not only for its brutality but for the devastating impact on an infant left behind. While her fiancé, Patrick Frazee, was convicted and sentenced to life without parole, a parallel legal drama unfolded in Teller County courts: a fierce custody war over their daughter, Kaylee. This case became a stark examination of how the justice system handles child welfare when one parent is a convicted murderer. As we look toward 2025, the question of Kaylee’s permanent home remains a powerful story of grief, resilience, and the law’s attempt to protect the most innocent party in a horrific crime.
The Crime That Shattered a Family: The Murder of Kelsey Berreth
A Thanksgiving Vanishing and a Calculated Cover-Up
On Thanksgiving Day 2018, 29-year-old Kelsey Berreth, a vibrant young mother and equestrian from Woodland Park, Colorado, was last seen alive. Her disappearance triggered a massive search. Her fiancé, Patrick Frazee, then 33, initially claimed Kelsey had left their infant daughter, Kaylee, with him and had voluntarily ended their relationship, departing to start a new life. He told police she’d left the baby with him on Thanksgiving Day and they’d agreed that, moving forward, they’d equally share custody. This narrative quickly unraveled under scrutiny.
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Investigators determined that Patrick Frazee killed his fiancée Kelsey Berreth in her home in Woodland Park. The crime was not a spontaneous act but a premeditated attack. Prosecutors later revealed that Frazee showed no remorse and took calculated steps to conceal his crime. Evidence painted a picture of a man desperate to remove Berreth from his life permanently. His apparent motive appeared rooted in a desire to gain sole custody of their daughter and remove Berreth from his life permanently. The prosecution’s case, bolstered dramatically by the testimony of Frazee’s mistress, Janelle Rhyne, detailed a plot where Frazee solicited her to commit the murder before ultimately doing so himself.
The Investigation and Arrest
The investigation was methodical. While surveillance footage showed nothing out of the ordinary around Kelsey’s home on the critical day, digital evidence, cell phone records, and the testimony of Rhyne built an incontrovertible case. Rhyne testified that Frazee had repeatedly asked her to kill Kelsey, complaining about her and his desire for full custody. After she refused, he carried out the murder himself. Patrick Frazee was arrested in connection with the murder of his romantic partner, Kelsey Berreth, in December 2018, ending his brief period of freedom and beginning the next phase of the legal battle: the custody of Kaylee.
The Immediate Aftermath: Emergency Custody and Grandparent Intervention
The State Steps In
Following his arrest, the Teller County Department of Human Services took emergency custody of their daughter. With both parents now legally incapacitated—Kelsey deceased and Patrick incarcerated—the state’s child welfare system immediately intervened to ensure the infant’s safety and stability. This is standard procedure in cases where a child’s primary caregivers are unavailable due to crime, incarceration, or death.
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A Grandmother’s and Grandfather’s Love: The Berreths Step Forward
Within days, a familiar and loving solution presented itself. Kaylee Berreth was placed in the temporary custody of Cheryl and Darrell Berreth, who are Kelsey’s parents, on December 21, 2018, after Patrick’s arrest. This placement was a natural and compassionate choice. Kelsey’s parents were not only willing but eager to provide a stable, nurturing home for their granddaughter, preserving her connection to her mother’s side of the family. The judge granted temporary custody to Kelsey Berreth’s parents. This initial order was a critical first step, but it was far from the final word.
Frazee’s Parents Seek a Role
Not content with the maternal grandparents having custody, Patrick’s parents filed a motion to intervene in the custody case. They sought to be granted visitation rights or some form of legal standing, arguing their right to a relationship with their granddaughter. However, their bid was unsuccessful. At the time, Patrick’s parents filed a motion to intervene but were turned down. The court, likely prioritizing the child’s existing bond with her caregivers and the extraordinary circumstances of the case, denied their request, leaving the Berreths as the sole temporary custodians.
The Parallel Legal Battles: Criminal Trial vs. Custody Proceedings
The Road to Conviction
While the custody case simmered in dependency court, the criminal case against Patrick Frazee moved forward. The trial was a media sensation, largely due to the damning testimony of his mistress, Janelle Rhyne, who detailed his obsession with eliminating Kelsey. The defense argued the case was circumstantial, but the jury saw otherwise. Moving forward towards the trial, Patrick was ultimately convicted for the murder of Kelsey and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The verdict delivered a measure of justice for Kelsey’s family but did not automatically resolve the future of her daughter.
The Custody Case Continues in the Shadow of Murder
The dependency and custody case operated on a separate track from the criminal trial. Its sole focus is the best interest of the child, Kaylee. Daughter of Kelsey Berreth to stay with mother’s family for now as murder case against Patrick Frazee proceeds was a recurring headline. Hearings were held, reports from guardian ad litems (court-appointed advocates for the child) were submitted, and arguments were made. Temporary physical custody of the couple's young daughter was granted to the Berreths repeatedly, with the court consistently finding that the status quo—Kaylee thriving in her grandparents’ care—was the safest option.
A pivotal moment came when Kelsey’s mother Cheryl was present for the hearing via phone. According to reports, Cheryl wants full custody of the child through adoption. This desire to formally and permanently adopt Kaylee is the ultimate goal for the Berreths, seeking to erase the legal tie to her convicted father and secure her future entirely within their family.
The Lingering Unresolved Matter: Custody in 2025 and Beyond
The Judge’s Secrecy Order
There is an important matter still unresolved in the murder of Kelsey Berreth: the custody of her and Patrick Frazee's little girl. In a move that drew criticism from the media and public, a Teller County judge announced he would not release information to the public regarding the custody case for the daughter of Patrick Frazee and Kelsey Berreth.This decision comes after a custody hearing in Teller County court on Thursday morning. The judge cited the need to protect the child’s privacy, sealing most records of the dependency proceedings. This secrecy means the public is largely in the dark about the precise legal arguments, the frequency of visits (if any) from Frazee’s side, and the exact timeline for a final resolution.
The Constitutional Question: Rights of an Incarcerated Parent
Patrick Frazee, despite his conviction, retains certain parental rights unless they are formally terminated by a court. His ability to participate in custody hearings is complicated by his incarceration. Patrick Frazee, the fiancé of missing Colorado mother Kelsey Berreth, appeared at that hearing and was present, likely via video conference from prison. His participation allows him to contest the adoption and argue for some form of contact, though his prospects are severely hampered by his life sentence and the nature of his crime. The legal standard remains the child’s best interest, and courts are extremely reluctant to disrupt a stable, long-term placement with fit, loving relatives, especially when the alternative is a relationship with a parent serving life for murdering the child’s other parent.
Where is Kaylee Berreth Now? The 2025 Perspective
Where is Kaylee Berreth now? As of the latest available public information, Berreth’s parents have had custody continuously since December 2018. Kaylee has been raised by her maternal grandparents, Cheryl and Darrell Berreth, for the majority of her life. She has no memory of her mother and knows her father only through the horrific story of his crime and his absence. The Berreths have provided her with a normal, secure childhood, shielding her from the public glare as much as possible.
For 2025, the situation likely remains: Kaylee Berreth was placed in the temporary custody of Cheryl and Darrell Berreth—a temporary status that has, in practice, become permanent. The finalization of the adoption is the crucial next step. Teller County district court will again take up the custody issue next week (or in subsequent hearings), but the trend for years has been clear. The system has favored maintaining her in the only home she has ever known.
The Role of the Mistress and the Prosecution’s Case
A Key Witness and a Twisted Plot
Here’s everything to know about Kelsey Berreth’s brutal murder and how Patrick Frazee was prosecuted with the help of his mistress. Janelle Rhyne’s testimony was the cornerstone of the prosecution’s case. She provided an insider’s view of Frazee’s mindset, his complaints about Kelsey, and his specific, repeated requests for her to be killed. This evidence was critical in proving premeditation and overcoming the lack of a body (Kelsey’s remains have never been found). Rhyne’s account transformed the case from a missing person investigation to a clear-cut murder prosecution.
Evidence of Consciousness of Guilt
Beyond the solicitation, Frazee’s actions after Thanksgiving demonstrated a consciousness of guilt. He created a false narrative, disposed of potential evidence, and attempted to manipulate the investigation. His lack of immediate concern for Kelsey’s whereabouts, juxtaposed with his swift focus on custody logistics, was damning. He said she’d left the baby with him on Thanksgiving day and they’d agreed that, moving forward, they’d equally share custody. This statement, made to police, was a cold, calculated attempt to establish an alibi and a desired custody status while his victim was already dead.
The Human Element: Biography and Personal Details
Kelsey Berreth
A promising young woman with a passion for horses and a new baby, Kelsey’s life was cut tragically short. She was a devoted mother to Kaylee and was planning a future with Frazee, unaware of his murderous intentions.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kelsey Berreth |
| Age at Time of Death | 29 |
| Occupation | Equestrian, Horse Trainer |
| Residence | Woodland Park, Colorado |
| Family | Parents: Cheryl and Darrell Berreth; Daughter: Kaylee (born 2017) |
| Relationship Status | Engaged to Patrick Frazee |
Patrick Frazee
Frazee presented a façade of a normal family man but harbored a desire to be free of his partner. His actions were driven by a toxic mix of custody greed and rage.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Patrick Frazee |
| Age at Time of Crime | 33 |
| Occupation | Formerly in sales/ranch work |
| Residence | Woodland Park, Colorado |
| Family | Daughter: Kaylee (with Kelsey Berreth) |
| Criminal Status | Convicted of First-Degree Murder, sentenced to life without parole |
The Path Forward: Legal Finality and Emotional Closure
Termination of Parental Rights?
The ultimate resolution for Kaylee’s security will likely be the termination of Patrick Frazee’s parental rights and the finalization of her adoption by her grandparents. In cases involving the murder of one parent by the other, courts almost universally terminate the perpetrator’s parental rights. It is considered fundamentally contrary to a child’s best interest to have a legal tie to a parent who intentionally destroyed the other parent. Frazee’s conviction is the primary evidence for this termination.
The Best Interest of the Child Standard
All decisions in the custody case are guided by the best interest of the child standard. Factors include:
- Stability: Kaylee has had a stable, loving home with the Berreths for over six years.
- Emotional Bonds: Her primary attachment is to her grandparents and extended maternal family.
- Safety and Welfare: Any relationship with her father would be supervised, at best, and could be psychologically damaging.
- Child’s Wishes: As Kaylee grows older, her own preferences will be considered by the court.
Given these factors, the continuation of the Berreths as her legal parents is the outcome most aligned with her well-being.
Conclusion: A Grandmother’s Promise and a System’s Test
The story of Kelsey Berreth is one of unspeakable loss. The story of her daughter, Kaylee, is one of extraordinary rescue and enduring love from her grandparents. While Patrick Frazee was found guilty of first-degree murder and removed from society forever, his shadow still falls over the custody proceedings. The legal system, in its wisdom, has kept Kaylee safe and rooted in her mother’s family. The judge’s secrecy order, while frustrating for public transparency, may be a well-intentioned effort to shield the child from further trauma.
As we consider kelsey berreth daughter custody 2025, the trajectory is clear. The temporary custody granted in 2018 has become a permanent reality. The final legal step—the adoption—will cement the family that has already raised Kaylee through her earliest years. The unresolved custody matter is less about where she will live and more about formally securing the home she has always known. The tragedy is that she was orphaned by a father’s crime. The hope is that her future, shaped by the steadfast love of her grandparents, can be as normal and happy as possible. The case serves as a grim reminder that in the wake of such violence, the law’s paramount duty is to the child left behind, ensuring that the act of one parent does not destroy the child’s right to a safe and loving home.
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