01-3304, 01-3305, 01-3306, 01-3307, 01-3308 In re the Termination of Parental Rights to Bonniebel B., Dale B., Little Debra B., Montell E., Davion N.: State v. Deborah E., Michael B.

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In these consolidated cases, Deborah E. and Michael B. appeal from the juvenile court order terminating their parental rights. The order terminated: Deborah’s parental rights to Bonnibel B., Dale B., Little Deborah B., Montell E., and Davion N.; Michael’s parental rights to all these children except Davion, who was not Michael’s child; and Davion’s father’s rights to Davion.

Deborah does not challenge the court’s findings, following her no-contest plea, that her abandonment of Bonnibel, Dale, Little Deborah, and Montell, and her failure to assume parental responsibility for Davion, established the grounds for termination of her parental rights.4 She argues only that the court erroneously exercised discretion in terminating her parental rights. She maintains that “there was no showing that future contact between her and the children would be harmful to their safety or welfare.”Michael challenges both the court’s finding of his abandonment of the children and its termination of his parental rights. He argues that because the juvenile court, in its oral pronouncement of its findings, did not specify the burden of proof it applied, the court reached its findings “[w]ithout applying the proper legal standard” and, therefore, “the discretionary determination cannot be upheld.” Michael also argues that the evidence of his unfitness “was not so egregious as to warrant termination.”

This court concludes: (1) Deborah has failed to establish that the juvenile court erroneously exercised discretion in terminating her parental rights; (2) Michael has failed to acknowledge that the full record confirms the juvenile court’s application of the proper legal standards, including the burden of proof; and (3) Michael has failed to establish that the juvenile court erroneously exercised discretion in concluding that his conduct was sufficiently egregious to warrant termination of his parental rights.

Accordingly, this court affirms.

This opinion will not be published.

Dist I, Milwaukee County, Foley, J., Schudson, J.

Attorneys:

For Appellant: Ronald J. Sonderhouse, Brookfield

For Respondent: Phyllis M. DeCarvalho, Milwaukee