F. Fact-finding, Sec. 48.424

State v. Henry W., 2011AP693, District 1, 6/7/11 court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Henry W.: Jane S. Earle; case activity Testimony of a “bonding expert” as to how the child’s view of her father would make it difficult for him to meet conditions of return, was relevant and admissible in the… Read more

State v. Gabriel S., 2010AP2876, District 1, 4/19/11 court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Gabriel S.: Jane S. Earle; case activity Decision to terminate parental rights upheld as proper exercise of discretion, against argument (as to grounds) that Gabriel S. wasn’t to blame for abuse that caused child to be removed from… Read more

Winnebago County DHS v. Jenny L. G.-J., 2009AP2956, District 2, 2/23/11 court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Jenny L. G.-J.: Theresa J. Schmieder; case activity The privilege attaching to interactions under direction of a family therapist, § 905.04(1)(b), doesn’t apply to information obtained by “dispositional staff” providing services under § 48.069. ¶11     … Read more

State v. Abigail W., 2010AP2792, District 1, 2/10/11 court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Abigail W.: Jeffrey W. Jensen; case activity TPR – Condition of Return CHIPS condition that parent “show that you can care for and supervise your child properly and that you understand [her] special needs” wasn’t an impossible condition but, rather, was… Read more

Dane Co. DHS v. Brittany W., No. 2009AP2778, District IV, 7/8/10 court of appeals decision (1-judge; not fo publication); for Brittany W.: Lora B. Cerone, SPD, Madison Appellate The court rejects Brittany’s claim she didn’t understand the consequence of her no-contest plea (that she would be deemed unfit, and that disposition would turn on the… Read more

court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for James M.: Shelley Fite, SPD, Madison Appellate TPR – Voluntariness of Plea ¶24      Because Wisconsin statutory law does not permit a court to terminate parental rights upon a finding of unfitness without completing the dispositional phase, we see no rationale for requiring a court to inform a… Read more

Manitowoc County HSD v. Allen J., 2008 WI App 137 Issue/Holding: ¶1 Allen J. appeals from orders terminating his parental rights to his children, Brandon [1] and Stephanie J. He argues that he was deprived of his right to a jury trial because the court, rather than the jury, answered one of the verdict questions… Read more