‘No way I can afford that’: $1M bond for man accused of killing 10-month-old girl

CHEYENNE — A 41-year-old Wyoming Air National Guard Fire Department lieutenant accused of murdering a 10-month-old girl last year will likely remain in jail after a judge set his bond at $1 million cash Monday, despite the Laramie County District Attorney asking for $500,000.

“There’s no way I can afford that,” blurted out John Haney after DA Sylvia Hackl asked Laramie County Circuit Court Judge Timothy Forwood for the $500,000 cash-only bond. The court isn’t concerned with what a defendant can afford, the judge responded, only how much risk someone may pose to the community. In Haney’s case, who faces first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse charges, that’s significant, Forwood said. “The court cannot understate the nature of this crime,” he said before doubling the asked-for bond amount.

Haney was arrested Friday nearly a year after the 10-month-old daughter of his girlfriend died in his care, according to court records. Haney first contacted Laramie County Sheriff’s Office deputies March 26, 2025, after he made a 911 call reporting he found his girlfriend’s infant daughter face-down in her crib and not breathing. Haney had emergency training having served as a full-time Wyoming Air National Guard firefighter for nearly 10 years.

The months that followed included a series of examinations to determine how the girl died. The cause of death was officially ruled as asphyxiation, but doctors reported finding the girl had suffered numerous broken bones in the weeks leading up to her death. X-rays revealed a fracture in her left humerus bone near her shoulder, as well as fractured bones in each of her legs. The fractures were in various stages of healing. The doctor performing the examination reported “the fractures were highly concerning, and they were suggestive of child abuse.”

Ring surveillance cameras at Haney’s house had sections of video deleted by someone with administrative access to his account, according to the affidavit. Those sections were from just over a minute before emergency responders arrived. It takes approximately eight deliberate actions to access the Ring application and delete videos, which includes answering the question “Delete Event? Deleted events cannot be recovered” two different times. Haney initially denied deleting any footage, then claimed he had no memory of it. When confronted, he said he must have deleted them accidentally.

If convicted of first-degree murder, Haney could get life in prison. Aggravated child abuse carries a punishment of up to 25 years in prison. A preliminary hearing is set for April 1.