District I/IV
July 17, 2014
To:
Hon. Mark A. Sanders
Circuit Court Judge
Childrens Court Center
10201 W. Watertown Plank Rd
Wauwatosa, WI 53226-1425
Dan Barlich
Juvenile Clerk
Children's Court Center
10201 Watertown Plank Rd.
Milwaukee, WI 53226
John J. Grau
Grau Law Office
P.O. Box 54
Waukesha, WI 53187-0054
Elisabeth Andrews Mueller
Asst. District Attorney
10201 W. Watertown Plank Rd.
Milwaukee, WI 53226
Anne M. Abell
Legal Aid Society of Milw, Inc.
10201 W. Watertown Plank Rd.
Milwaukee, WI 53226-3532
Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare
Arlene Happach
635 N. 26th St
Milwaukee, WI 53233-1803
Lacole C.
2775 N. 56th St.
Milwaukee, WI 53210-1524
You are hereby notified that the Court has entered the following opinion and order:
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2014AP1185-NM 2014AP1186-NM |
In re the termination of parental rights to Brandon W. and Dashaun C.: State of Wisconsin v. Lacole C. (L.C. #2013TP51; 2013TP52) |
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Before Sherman, J.
Attorney John Grau, appointed counsel for Lacole C., has filed a no-merit report pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 809.107(5m) (2011-12).[1] Counsel provided Lacole with a copy of the report, and both counsel and this court advised her of her right to file a response. Lacole has not responded. We conclude that these cases are appropriate for summary disposition. See Wis. Stat. Rule 809.21. After our independent review of the records, we conclude there is no arguable merit to any issue that could be raised on appeal.
Lacole stipulated that a ground for termination exists as to both children, specifically, on the ground of continuing CHIPS under Wis. Stat. § 48.415(2). The circuit court’s colloquy in accepting that stipulation complied with necessary requirements. The record shows no reason to believe there is arguable merit to an argument that her stipulation was not knowing, voluntary, and intelligent. In addition, the court heard the required testimony to establish the elements of that ground.
The court later proceeded to the disposition phase under Wis. Stat. § 48.427. The court heard testimony from several witnesses familiar with Lacole and the children, and also received a report. The court then considered the appropriate factors under Wis. Stat. § 48.426, and reached a reasonable decision to terminate Lacole’s parental rights. There is no arguable merit to a claim that the court erroneously exercised its discretion in disposition.
Our review of the record discloses no other potential issues for appeal.
Therefore,
IT IS ORDERED that the orders terminating parental rights are summarily affirmed. See Wis. Stat. Rule 809.21.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Attorney Grau is relieved of further representation of Lacole C. See Wis. Stat. Rule 809.32(3).
Diane M. Fremgen
Clerk of Court of Appeals