By: Derek Hawkins//January 22, 2020//
WI Court of Appeals – District III
Case Name: Adoptions of Wisconsin, Inc., v. N.R.K.
Case No.: 2019AP1726
Officials: SEIDL, J.
Focus: Termination of Parental Rights
Noah appeals a circuit court order terminating his parental rights to his daughter, Natalie, based on the petition of an organization called Adoptions of Wisconsin, Inc. Noah argues the court erred by determining that grounds exist for the termination of his parental rights due to his failure to assume parental responsibility under WIS. STAT. § 48.415(6). Adoptions of Wisconsin cross-appeals, asserting: (1) the court erred in reopening the termination of parental rights (TPR) case to allow Noah to contest the termination of his parental rights; and (2) the court erred in determining that Adoptions of Wisconsin failed to prove that grounds existed to terminate Noah’s parental rights due to his abandonment of Natalie under § 48.415(1).
We agree with the circuit court’s determination that Noah failed to assume parental responsibility for Natalie. Therefore, we affirm the order terminating his parental rights to her. Because we affirm the TPR order on this ground, we need not address the issues Adoptions of Wisconsin raises in its cross-appeal. Accordingly, we dismiss the cross-appeal.