E.J.L. v. State Wisconsin

EICH, C.J. D.L. appeals from an order terminating his parental rights. D.L.'s appellate counsel has filed a no merit report
pursuant to Rule 809.32, Stats., and Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738 (1967). D.L. received a copy of the report and was
advised of his right to file a response. He has not filed a response. Upon consideration of the report and an independent
review of the record, we conclude that there is no arguable merit to any issue that could be raised on appeal. Therefore,
we affirm the order terminating parental rights and relieve Attorney Maureen L. Kinney of any further representation of D.L.
in this matter. D.L. was convicted of four counts of child abuse in violation of sec. 940.201, Stats. (1987-88). The conviction was affirmed
by this court in an unpublished decision . Relying upon the four specific instances which were the bases of the criminal conviction,
the children's mother filed a petition to terminate D.L.'s parental rights to E.J.L., I.A.L., E.M.L., and I.R.L. The trial
court found that D.L. had consistently and repeatedly engaged in conduct which was physically and psychologically abusive
to the minor children. The court concluded that the pattern of abusive behavior was a substantial threat to the health of
each of the children, that D.L. was unfit to act as a parent to the minor children, and that it was in the best interest of
the children to terminate his parental rights.