By: Derek Hawkins//January 26, 2022//
WI Court of Appeals – District IV
Case Name: Juneau County Department of Human Services v. B.J.,
Case No.: 2021AP1359; 2021AP1360; 2021AP1361
Officials: NASHOLD, J.
Focus: Termination of Parental Rights – Abuse of Discretion
In these consolidated appeals, B.J. challenges the circuit court’s entry of partial summary judgment in the grounds phase of a termination of parental rights (TPR) proceeding as to his three minor children, “Ben,” “Mary,” and “George.” B.J. argues that summary judgment was inappropriate; he further argues that the circuit court erroneously exercised its discretion in not considering certain documents he sought to introduce in that proceeding. I conclude that the Department set forth a prima facie case for summary judgment, that B.J. did not submit any admissible evidentiary materials setting forth facts in opposition to that motion, and that summary judgment was therefore appropriate. I affirm.