E. Procedure

Dane County DHS v. Nancy M., 2013AP1886 & 2013AP1887, District 4, 2/13/14; court of appeals decision (1-judge; ineligible for publication); case activity: 2013AP1886; 2013AP1887 During the first day of a fact-finding hearing to the court to determine whether there were grounds to terminate Nancy’s parental rights, the trial court admitted evidence about Nancy’s bonding with… Read more

Dane County DHS v. Wesley J., 2013AP1226, District 4, 8/1/13; court of appeals decision (1-judge; ineligible for publication); case activity Steven V. v. Kelley H., 2004 WI 47, 271 Wis. 2d 1, 678 N.W.2d 856, does not erect a general bar to summary judgment in TPR cases alleging abandonment as the grounds for termination: ¶15      I… Read more

Walworth County DH&HS v. Roberta J.W., 2013 WI App 102; consolidated case activity: 2012AP2387; 2012AP2388  The County petitioned to terminate Roberta’s parental rights in 2007 on the grounds her children were in continuing need of protection and services. After a jury trial and dispositional hearing her rights were terminated, but on appeal the termination order was… Read more

Dane County DHS v. John L.-B., 2013AP462, District 4, 5/16/13; court of appeals decision (1-judge, ineligible for publication); case activity This decision rejects Dane County’s appeal from the dismissal of a TPR petition after a jury verdict in favor of the parent. Here’s the factual background: Dane County filed a TPR petition against John L.-B. in… Read more

Ronald J.R. v. Alexis L.A., 2013 WI App 79; case activity This is an appeal from a partial summary judgment decision finding grounds to terminate Alexis L.A.’s parental rights.  The father, Ronald J.R., sought termination on two grounds and won summary judgment on the first one.  The parties then stipulated that Ronald would withdraw the second… Read more

Florence County DHS v. Jennifer B., 2012AP2314, 2012AP2315, and 2012AP2316, District 3, 4/9/13; court of appeals decision (1-judge, ineligible for publication); case activity: 2012AP2314; 2012AP2315; 2012AP2316  Jennifer’s consent to terminate her parental rights to her older children was knowing and voluntary despite the fact she received “advice” from numerous people that consenting to termination for… Read more

Dane County DHS v. Mable K., 2013 WI 28, reversing court of appeals summary order; case activity ¶3        We conclude, and the circuit court has acknowledged, that it erroneously exercised its discretion when it entered a default judgment finding that grounds existed to terminate Mable K.’s parental rights after barring her attorney from offering additional… Read more