A. C.-E. v. I. M. ( 2020 )

COURT OF APPEALS
DECISION NOTICE
DATED AND FILED This opinion is subject to further editing. If
published, the official version will appear in
the bound volume of the Official Reports.
April 15, 2020
A party may file with the Supreme Court a
Sheila T. Reiff petition to review an adverse decision by the
Clerk of Court of Appeals Court of Appeals. See WIS. STAT. § 808.10
and RULE 809.62.
Appeal No. 2019AP573 Cir. Ct. No. 2017TP87
STATE OF WISCONSIN IN COURT OF APPEALS
DISTRICT IV
IN RE THE TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS TO E.M.C.,
A PERSON UNDER THE AGE OF 18:
A. C.-E.,
PETITIONER-RESPONDENT,
V.
I. M.,
RESPONDENT-APPELLANT.
APPEAL from an order of the circuit court for Waupaca County:
VICKI L. CLUSSMAN, Judge. Affirmed.
No. 2019AP573
¶1 NASHOLD, J.1 I.M. appeals an order of the circuit court terminating
his parental rights to his child, E.M.C. I affirm.
BACKGROUND
¶2 E.M.C. was born in September of 2013, and was nearly five years old
at the time of the trial in this case. On November 15, 2017, E.M.C.’s mother,
A.C.-E., filed a petition to terminate I.M.’s parental rights to E.M.C. The petition
was amended August 13, 2018. The petition alleged two grounds for termination,
“abandonment,” see WIS. STAT. § 48.415(1), and “failure to assume parental
responsibility,” see § 48.415(6). I.M. contested the petition, and the circuit court
held a two-day jury trial featuring the testimony of eight witnesses (the grounds
phase of the termination of parental rights proceeding).
¶3 During the trial, I.M. admitted that he failed to visit or communicate
with E.M.C. for multiple periods in excess of six months, which, absent a valid
“good cause” defense, would qualify as “abandonment” pursuant to WIS. STAT.
§ 48.415(1)(a)3. and (c)1. Specifically, I.M. testified that he had no contact with
E.M.C. between December 2013 and July 2014, and again from November 28,
2014, to October of 2016. He also agreed that, from July 2014 through November
2014, he saw E.M.C. only twice. I.M. testified that, during some of these time
periods, he called and texted A.C.-E. to try to see E.M.C. but that she did not
respond. I.M. admitted that he did not send any cards or gifts to E.M.C. during
2015, nor did he buy anything for E.M.C. during the first four months of 2016. I.M.
also testified that, at least as of October 2016 and beyond, he was a “complete
stranger” to E.M.C. I.M.’s mother testified that she did not know why I.M. did not
1
This appeal is decided by one judge pursuant to WIS. STAT. § 752.31(2)(e) (2017-18).
All references to the Wisconsin Statutes are to the 2017-18 version unless otherwise noted.
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No. 2019AP573
have contact with E.M.C. from December 2013 through July 2014 and opined that
I.M.’s failure to see E.M.C. in 2015 was because I.M. “didn’t want to grow up.”
She testified that she would “scold” I.M. and that she thought it “was foolish on his
part to not find a way to be closer to his daughter.”
¶4 The evidence is also undisputed that I.M. did not know who E.M.C.’s
doctors were, anything about E.M.C.’s medical history, whether she went to school
or day care, who her best friend was, or what E.M.C.’s favorite toy, favorite color,
or favorite holiday was. In addition, A.C.-E. testified that, from November of 2014
to October 2016, I.M. failed to provide financial support, gifts, or other support,
with the exception of buying diapers once. A.C.-E. further testified that at no time
prior to her filing her November 2017 termination of parental rights (TPR) action
did I.M. ever ask her about E.M.C.’s well-being, even when A.C.-E. informed I.M.
that E.M.C. was sick with a high temperature. In addition, the court admitted a letter
from A.C.-E.’s physician stating that I.M. had not attended any of A.C.-E.’s prenatal
appointments or any well-child or sick-child appointments after E.M.C.’s birth.
¶5 In June of 2014, I.M. sought to initiate paternity proceedings and on
June 20, 2014, the State of Wisconsin filed a paternity action on I.M.’s behalf.
However, in an order filed August 1, 2014, the court granted the State’s motion to
dismiss in response to A.C.-E. filing a “good cause” petition, in which she stated
that she feared I.M. Attached to the petition were letters from two other women,
including her cousin (who is discussed below), stating that I.M. had been abusive to
them. It is also undisputed that I.M. retained a private attorney and on June 10,
2015, filed a petition to establish paternity, custody, and placement. I.M. was
eventually found to be the father and was granted visitation rights.
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¶6 Scheduled visits began on October 29, 2016, and were scheduled to
occur for a two-hour period every Saturday at the play area of a shopping mall and
at a public library. A.C.-E. testified that, during these visits, I.M. never interacted
in any way with E.M.C. A.C.-E. began recording the visits, and the videos were
shown to the jury. In the videos, I.M. does not acknowledge E.M.C. in any way.
I.M. admitted during the trial that he did not interact with E.M.C.2 at the supervised
visits at either the mall or the library but stated that it was because A.C.-E. failed to
introduce him to E.M.C., that A.C.-E. often brought a laptop or other family
members along, including her cousin who had accused him of sexual assault, and
that he felt uncomfortable interacting with E.M.C. because he was a “complete
stranger to her.” As captured on video, I.M. did play with a little boy who I.M.
testified he did not know. The video showed that, although E.M.C. stood near the
boy and right in front of I.M., I.M. did not acknowledge her and instead spent
between 15 and 20 minutes of his two-hour supervised visit playing with the boy.
A.C.-E. testified that I.M. never explained to her why he refused to interact with
E.M.C. and that I.M.’s ex-girlfriend told her that the only reason he was doing “this”
was to make A.C.-E. miserable. I.M. admitted that he never brought any toys or
any activities to do with E.M.C. at the visits.
¶7 Both I.M. and A.C.-E. cancelled some of the scheduled visits for
various reasons. In the summer of 2017, A.C.-E. cancelled several visits in advance,
in part because, as she informed I.M., she was due to have her second child. On
September 12, 2017, I.M. filed a motion to show cause why A.C.-E. should not be
2
I.M. testified that he sometimes tried to get E.M.C.’s attention by smiling or waving at
her, or whispering her name, but that he did not get anywhere with that. He also acknowledged
that such actions were “probably not” captured in any of the videos.
4
No. 2019AP573
held in contempt regarding the visitations. However, because A.C.-E. filed the TPR
action in November 2017, the contempt motion was not decided.
¶8 At trial, I.M. attempted to establish that he had a legally cognizable
reason for not having been more involved in E.M.C.’s life. On this point, I.M.
suggested that A.C.-E. interfered with his attempts to see E.M.C. by not responding
to his calls or texts requesting to see E.M.C., failing to introduce E.M.C. to I.M.,
and bringing other people to the scheduled visitations. I.M. introduced text
messages between himself and A.C.-E. The texts show that from December 3, 2014,
through September 4, 2015, I.M. attempted to set up visits with E.M.C. for either
himself or his parents on only five days. In some of the texts, A.C.-E. agrees or
suggests an alternative time, while other texts show that she occasionally did not
respond to his requests.
¶9 A.C.-E. offered a narrative contrary to I.M.’s assertions that his lack
of contact with E.M.C. was due to her interference. She testified that, aside from
the scheduled visits starting in October 2016, I.M.’s attempts to see E.M.C. were
minimal; that she had never refused I.M. the opportunity to visit with E.M.C.; and
that, when visits occurred, I.M. did not interact with E.M.C. and left many visits
early. A.C.-E. also testified that she was afraid of I.M. and that I.M. used requests
to see E.M.C. as a pretext for trying to have sexual relations with A.C.-E. rather than
to interact with E.M.C.
¶10 Ultimately, the jury found that A.C.-E. had established both grounds
for termination.3 Following the trial, the circuit court held a dispositional hearing
3
One of the twelve jurors dissented on the issue of whether there was good cause for I.M.’s
failure to visit E.M.C. during the relevant time periods. Two jurors, including the one who
dissented on good cause, dissented on the issue of whether I.M. had failed to assume parental
responsibility.
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No. 2019AP573
and concluded that it was in E.M.C.’s best interests to terminate I.M.’s parental
rights. On November 12, 2018, the circuit court filed a written order terminating
I.M.’s parental rights.
¶11 Following the circuit court’s order, I.M. filed a notice of intent to
pursue postdisposition relief. I.M. subsequently filed a postdisposition motion
requesting a fact-finding hearing to reconstruct unrecorded sidebars and for a new
trial based on ineffective assistance of counsel. On November 13, 2019, the circuit
court held a hearing on I.M.’s postdisposition motion. On December 12, 2019, the
circuit court issued a written order denying I.M.’s motion. I.M. appeals the order
terminating his parental rights.
DISCUSSION
¶12 I.M. raises three primary issues on appeal. First, he challenges
evidence and argument introduced by A.C.-E. that he contends impermissibly
commented on E.M.C.’s best interests during the grounds phase of the TPR
proceeding. Second, I.M. challenges the circuit court’s admission of what he
characterizes as other acts evidence. Third, he contends that his counsel was
ineffective for failing to make a hearsay objection to a letter from a physician
introduced at trial, which stated that I.M. had not attended any prenatal or postnatal
appointments for E.M.C. I discuss these arguments below, setting forth additional
relevant facts as necessary.
I. TPR Standards
¶13 TPR proceedings are divided into two parts: the grounds phase and
the dispositional phase. Waukesha Cty. Dep’t of Soc. Servs. v. C.E.W., 124 Wis.
2d 47, 60, 368 N.W.2d 47 (1985); see WIS. STAT. § 48.424; see generally Steven V.
6
No. 2019AP573
v. Kelley H., 2004 WI 47, ¶¶21-27, 271 Wis. 2d 1, 678 N.W.2d 856 (discussing the
involuntary TPR process). During the grounds phase, the petitioner must prove by
clear and convincing evidence that at least one of the statutorily enumerated grounds
for the termination of parental rights exists. Steven V., 271 Wis. 2d 1, ¶24; see WIS.
STAT. § 48.415. If a petitioner proves one or more of the grounds for termination
by clear and convincing evidence, “‘the court shall find the parent unfit.’” Steven
V., 271 Wis. 2d 1, ¶25 (quoted source omitted).
¶14 In this case, as previously discussed, A.C.-E. alleged two grounds for
terminating I.M.’s parental rights: abandonment and failure to assume parental
responsibility. See WIS. STAT. § 48.415(1) and 48.415(6). As relevant here, a
petitioner can show that the parent has abandoned the child if “[t]he child has been
left by the parent with any person, the parent knows or could discover the
whereabouts of the child and the parent has failed to visit or communicate with the
child for a period of 6 months or longer.” See § 48.415(1)(a)3. The defending
parent has an affirmative defense to this ground if the parent shows “good cause”
for having failed to communicate with or visit the child during the relevant time
period. See § 48.415(1)(c).
¶15 The failure to assume parental responsibility ground is established by
showing that the parent has not had a “substantial parental relationship” with the
child. WIS. STAT. § 48.415(6)(a). A “substantial parental relationship” is defined
as
acceptance and exercise of significant responsibility for the
daily supervision, education, protection and care of the child.
In evaluating whether the person has had a substantial
parental relationship with the child, the court may consider
such factors, including, but not limited to, whether the
person has expressed concern for or interest in the support,
care or well-being of the child, whether the person has
neglected or refused to provide care or support for the child
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No. 2019AP573
and whether, with respect to a person who is or may be the
father of the child, the person has expressed concern for or
interest in the support, care or well-being of the mother
during her pregnancy.
WIS. STAT. § 48.415(6)(b).
¶16 If the petitioner establishes at least one of the grounds for the
involuntary termination of the parent’s rights, then the court “shall find the parent
unfit” and the TPR proceedings move into the dispositional phase. See Steven V.,
271 Wis. 2d 1, ¶¶24-27. During the dispositional phase, the court must decide
whether it is in the “best interests” of the child to terminate the parent’s rights. Id.,
¶27; WIS. STAT. § 48.426(2). The outcome of the dispositional phase is not
predetermined by the outcome of the grounds phase, and the court may conclude
that termination of a parent’s rights is warranted or unwarranted. See Sheboygan
Cty. DHHS v. Julie A.B., 2002 WI 95, ¶28, 255 Wis. 2d 170, 648 N.W.2d 402. In
line with this bifurcated structure, “the best interests standard is confined to the
dispositional phase ... at the [grounds phase], the best interests of the child are not
to be considered.” Door Cty. DHFS v. Scott S., 230 Wis. 2d 460, 468, 602 N.W.2d
167 (Ct. App. 1999).
II. Best Interests Evidence and Argument
¶17 Prior to the grounds phase, I.M. filed a motion in limine, asking the
circuit court to prohibit A.C.-E. and the guardian ad litem from “introducing any
evidence, expressing any opinions, or making any reference to the best interests of
the child.” The circuit court denied the motion with respect to the best interests of
the child, reasoning that, because there was a standard jury instruction specifically
instructing the jury not to consider the best interests of the child, the court need not
exclude such evidence or argument at that time. See WIS JI—CHILDREN 301.
8
No. 2019AP573
¶18 On appeal, I.M. argues that the circuit court’s denial of his motion in
limine was erroneous because it allowed A.C.-E. to introduce evidence and
argument that I.M. asserts was solely relevant to E.M.C.’s best interests, contrary to
case law establishing that the best interests of the child cannot be considered at the
grounds phase. In the alternative, I.M. argues that, if this court determines that the
motion in limine was insufficient to preserve his objections and that objections were
required as the evidence and arguments arose, then: (a) his trial counsel was
deficient for failing to object during presentation of the evidence and arguments; or
(b) a new trial should be ordered in the interest of justice. I assume, without
deciding, that the motion in limine preserved the issue and, therefore, do not reach
I.M.’s arguments in the alternative.
¶19 The specific evidence that I.M. argues falls into the “best interests”
category consists of: (a) 19 photographs showing E.M.C. with A.C.-E. and
members of her family, including A.C.-E.’s husband and their child (E.M.C.’s
younger sibling); (b) testimony from A.C.-E. describing the photographs; and
(c) testimony from A.C.-E. that E.M.C. thinks of A.C.-E.’s husband as her father.
I.M. also challenges A.C.-E.’s counsel’s statements during opening argument that
“we’re here about [E.M.C.], that’s what this case is really about” and that E.M.C. is
a “bright, precocious little girl,” as well as the A.C.-E.’s counsel’s statement during
closing argument that “That’s the father right there. That’s the person that’s been
the father for [E.M.C.],” referring to A.C.-E.’s husband. I.M. argues that this
evidence and argument was relevant solely to E.M.C.’s “best interests” and was
therefore impermissible at the grounds phase of the TPR proceeding.
¶20 This court reviews a circuit court’s decision to admit or exclude
evidence under an erroneous exercise of discretion standard. See Martindale v.
Ripp, 2001 WI 113, ¶28, 246 Wis. 2d 67, 629 N.W.2d 698. “An appellate court will
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No. 2019AP573
sustain an evidentiary ruling if it finds that the circuit court examined the relevant
facts; applied a proper standard of law; and using a demonstrative rational process,
reached a conclusion that a reasonable judge could reach.” State v. Sullivan, 216
Wis. 2d 768, 780-81, 576 N.W.2d 30 (1998). When a circuit court fails to delineate
the factors that influenced its discretionary decision, “appellate courts
independently review the record to determine whether it provides a basis for the
circuit court’s exercise of discretion.” Id. at 781. “We look for reasons to sustain a
trial court’s discretionary decision.” Farmer’s Auto. Ins. Ass’n v. Union Pac. Ry.
Co., 2009 WI 73, ¶32, 319 Wis. 2d 52, 768 N.W.2d 596.
¶21 In this case, the circuit court did not provide a detailed analysis for
allowing in the evidence at issue here. However, an independent review of the
record shows that the evidence and argument at issue did not constitute an improper
invocation of E.M.C.’s best interests under relevant case law.4
¶22 I.M. first relies on Steven V. This case is not on point. First, Steven
V. does not address the type of evidence and comments at issue here. Relevant to
this case, Steven V. holds only that, although the “consistent legislative objective
throughout the Children’s Code” is “‘the best interests of the child’” in TPR cases,
the best interests of the child do not “‘prevail’” until the dispositional phase, “at
4
I.M.’s contention in the circuit court and on appeal is that admission of the evidence and
argument at issue violated precedent holding that the best interests of the child standard is confined
to the dispositional phase and should not be considered at the grounds phase. However, to the
extent I.M. also means to assert a more general relevancy argument with respect to the evidence,
he does not develop that argument and it may be rejected on that ground. See State v. Pettit, 171
Wis. 2d 627, 646-47, 492 N.W.2d 633 (Ct. App. 1992). Nevertheless, I further conclude that the
evidence regarding A.C.-E.’s husband’s relationship with E.M.C. was relevant to the issues of
abandonment and failure to assume parental responsibility in that it tended to show that I.M. had
failed to be present in E.M.C.’s life in the way that a father should and that, as a result, E.M.C. did
not know I.M. and thought of someone else as her father. See State v. White, 2004 WI App 78,
¶14, 271 Wis. 2d 742, 680 N.W.2d 362 (relevancy “is not a high hurdle; evidence is relevant if it
‘tends to cast any light’ on the controversy” (quoted source and internal quotation marks omitted).
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No. 2019AP573
which the child’s best interests are paramount.” Steven V., 271 Wis. 2d 1, ¶26. This
language does not assist I.M. because it was clear in this case from the jury
instructions, the special verdict form, and counsels’ arguments that the jury’s duty
was to determine whether I.M. had abandoned E.M.C. or failed to assume parental
responsibility for her, and that the jury should not consider the best interests of the
child.
¶23 Notably, consistent with WIS JI—CHILDREN 301, the circuit court
instructed the jury that “[c]onsideration of the best interest of the child is a matter
for the Court in proceedings which will be conducted in the future, it is not a
consideration for the jury.” The court further instructed the jury regarding the
requirements for finding abandonment and failure to assume parental responsibility.
Jurors are presumed to follow jury instructions. See State v. Grande, 169 Wis. 2d
422, 436, 485 N.W.2d 282 (Ct. App. 1992). Further, not once did either A.C.-E. or
the guardian ad litem refer to the “best interests” of the child. Instead, they
repeatedly focused on the allegations of abandonment and failure to assume parental
responsibility. In addition, the special verdict form that was required to be
completed by the jury and the arguments by the parties made it clear that the issues
for the jury were to whether I.M. abandoned E.M.C. or failed to assume parental
responsibility.
¶24 The other three cases upon which I.M. relies are equally unavailing.
C.E.W. addressed whether the guardian ad litem was permitted to make peremptory
strikes or present arguments to the jury; it did not address evidence or argument
similar to that complained of here. See C.E.W., 124 Wis. 2d at 62. In concluding
that the guardian ad litem was allowed to exercise peremptory challenges and make
arguments to the jury during the grounds phase (also known as the fact-finding
hearing), the court noted that “the best interests of the child standard does not apply
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No. 2019AP573
to the fact finding hearing” and that the guardian ad litem could not “invoke the best
interests of the child in statements to the jury.” Id. at 64, 70. As stated above, in
this case neither the guardian ad litem nor A.C.-E. applied or invoked the best
interests of the child standard.
¶25 D.B. v. Waukesha County Human Services Department, 153 Wis.
2d 761, 451 N.W.2d 799 (Ct. App. 1989),5 addressed whether the court improperly
introduced the guardian ad litem to the jury “as the attorney appointed to represent
J.A.B.’s ‘best interests.’” Id. at 764. Relying on C.E.W., the appellant in D.B.
argued that such statements improperly injected into the fact-finding proceedings
the best interests of the child standard. D.B., 153 Wis. 2d at 769. This court
disagreed, concluding that “C.E.W. does not place restrictions upon the court’s
conduct toward the guardian ad litem; it restricts the guardian ad litem’s conduct.”
Id. at 770. The D.B. court further stated that, even if C.E.W. were meant to be more
broadly read, the circuit court “did not instruct the jury to consider or determine the
best interest of the child. Rather, it simply explained to the jury at the outset what
role the guardian ad litem plays in the proceedings.” D.B., 153 Wis. 2d at 770. The
court further held that “such an introduction is not only informative, it is desirable,”
and “is not error.” Id.
¶26 The final case I.M. relies on, Scott S., not only fails to support I.M.’s
position but actually cuts against it. In Scott S., this court rejected the appellant’s
argument that a new trial was warranted due to the following statements from the
guardian ad litem during arguments to the jury: “I believe in the best interests of
that little girl Kristeena, that she is entitled to have you look very carefully and
answer -- these questions in the way that is absolutely clear from the testimony
5
I.M. refers to the name of this case as In the Interest of J.A.B.
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No. 2019AP573
today,” and “I am here because my mission is to try to protect Kristeena’s ... best
interests, to try and help you understand what is in the best interests of Kristeena
....” Scott S., 230 Wis. 2d at 468. Unlike in the instant case where E.M.C.’s “best
interests” were not mentioned, in Scott S. the arguments in question specifically
referred to the “best interests” of the child, and did so more than once. Nevertheless,
this court concluded that the arguments did not warrant a new trial, thereby
undercutting I.M.’s argument here. Even further undermining I.M.’s position is this
court’s conclusion that “[o]nly when the court or the GAL instruct the jury that it
should consider the best interests of the child is there reversible error.” Id. at 469.
Here, neither the court nor the guardian ad litem instructed the jury that it should
consider E.M.C.’s best interests. Therefore, under Scott S., there is no reversible
error.6
¶27 Finally, I conclude that, in the context of the entirety of A.C.-E.’s
opening and closing arguments and the evidence of abandonment and failure to
assume parental responsibility set forth above, any error in allowing the evidence
and argument was harmless, particularly given that the jury was specifically
instructed not to consider E.M.C.’s best interests. See Martindale, 246 Wis. 2d 67,
¶30 (erroneous ruling on the admission of evidence is subject to a harmless error
analysis); Evelyn C.R. v. Tykila S., 2001 WI 110, ¶28, 246 Wis. 2d 1, 629 N.W.2d
768 (“If the error at issue is not sufficient to undermine the reviewing court’s
confidence in the outcome of the proceeding, the error is harmless.”). With regard
6
I.M. incorrectly argues that this language from Door Cty. DHFS v. Scott S., 230 Wis. 2d
460, 602 N.W.2d 167 (Ct. App. 1999), is simply an “unfortunate paraphrase of a passage in [D.B.].”
Although the language may be “unfortunate” from I.M.’s standpoint, it is nevertheless precedent.
Likewise unconvincing is I.M.’s assertion that this language represents an impermissible
modification of D.B. v. Waukesha County Human Services Department, 153 Wis. 2d 761, 451
N.W.2d 799 (Ct. App. 1989), in violation of Cook v. Cook, 208 Wis. 2d 166, 190, 560 N.W.2d 246(1997). Instead, the language at issue is simply a reasonable interpretation of D.B.
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No. 2019AP573
to abandonment, the evidence showed that I.M. had no contact with E.M.C. for two
periods of time that were each over six months, from December 2013 to July 2014,
and from November 28, 2014, through October 29, 2016. With respect to I.M.’s
good cause defense and the allegation that he failed to assume parental
responsibility, the record contains overwhelming evidence that, despite bringing the
two court proceedings to establish paternity and visitation, I.M.’s expressions of
support and care for E.M.C. were minimal, as were his efforts at seeing E.M.C. or
interacting with her in any meaningful way.
III. Evidence of Sexual Misconduct and Domestic Abuse
¶28 Prior to trial, I.M. filed a motion in limine to exclude any mention of
acts of domestic or sexual abuse and any evidence regarding I.M. being called a
“sex addict” by an ex-girlfriend. A.C.-E. responded that the “sex addict” and sexual
misconduct evidence was relevant to show that I.M.’s visits with E.M.C. and
A.C.-E. were not actually to spend time with E.M.C., but rather to have sex with
A.C.-E. A.C.-E. also asserted that both the domestic and sexual abuse evidence was
relevant to respond to I.M.’s assertions that A.C.-E. was insufficiently responsive
to his requests to see E.M.C., in that the evidence showed that A.C.-E. was fearful
of him. The circuit court declined to categorically exclude the evidence, stating:
I think as far as the purpose of the visits and the
reason for the visits, that is admissible evidence and I will
allow that to be explored through the testimony. If there are
any—since this is somewhat vague—if there are any specific
objections as they come up, I’ll rule on them. But I think
certainly the reason for the visits is relevant to this case and
I will allow that to be introduced.
¶29 During trial, I.M. objected to some of the evidence that he now argues
was improperly admitted but did not object to other evidence. On appeal, I.M. does
not assert that his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to object; he instead argues
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No. 2019AP573
that the objections are preserved for review by his motion in limine. Assuming
without deciding that the motion in limine preserved I.M.’s objections, I conclude
that the circuit court did not erroneously exercise its discretion in admitting the
evidence at issue and that any error was harmless.
¶30 I.M. challenges admissibility of the following evidence:
 A.C.-E.’s testimony that, while she was three or four months pregnant
with E.M.C., I.M. told her in response to the neighbors being loud that
he thought it was funny that the fathers were out drinking and doing
cocaine while the mothers stayed at home with their children. He told
A.C.-E. that their relationship would be like that when E.M.C. was
born, and when A.C.-E. challenged this statement, I.M. pushed
A.C.-E. against the wall, choked her, and told her not to talk back to
him.
 A.C.-E.’s testimony regarding an incident that took place after E.M.C.
was born, when I.M. and A.C.-E. were still dating, which A.C.-E.
described as follows. During childbirth, A.C.-E. had an episiotomy
and received stiches as a result. Her doctor told her to refrain from
sexual intercourse for six weeks while the injuries healed. About four
weeks after E.M.C.’s birth, I.M. came over to see E.M.C. and A.C.-E.
Instead of spending time with E.M.C., I.M. made sexual advances
towards A.C.-E. A.C.-E. told I.M. that she would not have sex with
him, and that she could not have sex for six weeks. However, despite
A.C.-E. telling I.M. no, I.M. pulled down A.C.-E.’s shorts and had sex
with her. A.C.-E. broke off their relationship following this incident.
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No. 2019AP573
 Testimony about an incident involving A.C.-E.’s cousin, L.B., in
which, during a family game night hosted at A.C.-E.’s mother’s
house, L.B. came out of the bathroom in the middle of the night,
whereupon I.M. pushed L.B. back into the bathroom, tried to put his
hands down her pants, kiss her, and told her, “Come on, let’s do it.”
L.B. refused I.M.’s request and ran up the stairs towards her room.
I.M. followed L.B. up the stairs, touching L.B.’s buttocks and
grabbing her along the way. L.B. got into her room and closed and
locked the door behind her. L.B. told A.C.-E. about the incident the
next morning.
 Evidence in the form of a Facebook message to A.C.-E. from I.M.’s
ex-girlfriend, B.O., in which B.O. states that I.M. is a “sex addict” and
testimony from B.O. and A.C.-E. regarding the message.
¶31 As a preliminary matter, I note that I.M. characterizes the evidence he
challenges as “other acts” evidence under WIS. STAT. § 904.04(2) and states that it
is therefore subject to the analysis set forth in Sullivan, 216 Wis. 2d 768.7 However,
although I.M. sets forth the Sullivan standards at the beginning of his argument
section, he argues only that the evidence was not relevant under WIS. STAT.
§ 904.01, and was unfairly prejudicial under WIS. STAT. § 904.03. I therefore only
address these relevancy and unfair prejudice arguments.
7
With the exception of testimony regarding A.C.-E.’s cousin, it is questionable whether
the conduct at issue constitutes “other acts” evidence as “other acts” are “‘crimes, wrongs, or acts’
that occurred at some time and place other than the event being litigated.” See State v. Payano,
2009 WI 86, ¶53 n.8, 320 Wis. 2d 348, 768 N.W.2d 832 (quoting 7 DANIEL BLINKA, WISCONSIN
PRACTICE SERIES: WISCONSIN EVIDENCE § 404.1, at 145-46 (3d ed. 2008)). However, this issue
need not be decided.
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No. 2019AP573
A. Relevancy
¶32 Relevant evidence means “evidence having any tendency to make the
existence of any fact that is of consequence to the determination of the action more
probable or less probable that it would be without the evidence.” WIS. STAT.
§ 904.01. As stated, this court reviews a circuit court’s decision to admit or exclude
evidence under an erroneous exercise of discretion standard. See Martindale, 246
Wis. 2d 67, ¶28. For the reasons below, I.M. has failed to establish that the circuit
court erroneously exercised its discretion.
¶33 First, the evidence regarding I.M. pushing and choking A.C.-E. while
she was pregnant was relevant to the issue of whether I.M. failed to assume parental
responsibility, which is established by showing that the parent has not had a
“substantial parental relationship” with the child. See WIS. STAT. § 48.415(6)(a).
In evaluating whether a “substantial parental relationship” exists, the court may
consider “whether, with respect to a person who is or may be the father of the child,
the person has expressed concern for or interest in the support, care or well-being
of the mother during her pregnancy.” WIS. STAT. § 48.415(6)(b). Pushing A.C.-E.
up against the wall and choking her when she was pregnant with their child is
relevant to whether I.M. expressed concern for A.C.-E.’s support, care or well-
being.
¶34 Second, the sexual misconduct and domestic abuse evidence was
relevant to the issues of whether I.M. had good cause for abandoning E.M.C. and
whether I.M. failed to assume parental responsibility. As previously discussed, I.M.
admitted that he had no contact with E.M.C. between December 2013 and July 2014,
and again from November 28, 2014, through October 29, 2016. He further admitted
that, from July 2014 through November 28, 2014, he only had two visits with
17
No. 2019AP573
E.M.C. However, I.M. also testified that A.C.-E. had frustrated his attempts to
become involved in E.M.C.’s life by not responding to his requests to see E.M.C. or
by not being available to meet. I.M.’s attorney argued that the alleged interference
provided “good cause” for excusing the periods of abandonment and justification
for his lack of parental responsibility.
¶35 A.C.-E. testified that she never “refused” any of I.M.’s requests to see
E.M.C., but that also she was afraid of I.M. A.C.-E.’s position was that I.M. was
not genuinely interested in parenting E.M.C. and was using requests to see E.M.C.
as a pretext for a chance to see A.C.-E. with the hope of having sex with her. The
evidence of domestic and sexual abuse was relevant in that it explained why A.C.-E.
may have been less than fully responsive to I.M.’s requests to see E.M.C., namely,
out of fear of I.M., which in turn undermines I.M.’s good cause defense to
abandonment and supports A.C.-E.’s allegation of failure to assume parental
responsibility.
¶36 I.M. counters that evidence supporting A.C.-E.’s fear of I.M. was not
relevant because A.C.-E. testified that she always cooperated with I.M.’s requests
to see E.M.C. I.M.’s argument is that if A.C.-E. claims that she always cooperated,
then A.C.-E. cannot simultaneously offer evidence that she did not cooperate out of
fear. However, the jury was not required to accept A.C.-E.’s statements that she did
not impede I.M. from visiting E.M.C. “The function of the jury is to decide which
evidence is credible and which is not and how conflicts in the evidence are to be
resolved.” State v. Poellinger, 153 Wis. 2d 493, 503, 451 N.W.2d 752 (1990); see
also State v. Perkins, 2004 WI App 213, ¶15, 277 Wis. 2d 243, 689 N.W.2d 684.
The jury was therefore free to credit as much or as little of A.C.-E.’s and I.M.’s
testimony as it saw fit. Thus, to the extent that there was a conflict either within
A.C.-E.’s own testimony, or between A.C.-E.’s and I.M.’s testimony, it was the
18
No. 2019AP573
jury’s job to resolve the conflict. By extension, despite her testimony and arguments
to the contrary, the jury could have reasonably concluded that A.C.-E. impeded
I.M.’s attempts to see E.M.C., making evidence about why she did so relevant..
¶37 Further, the evidence related to I.M.’s sexual conduct was relevant to
show that I.M.’s efforts to meet with A.C.-E. and E.M.C. were pretextual, namely,
for the purpose of having sex with A.C.-E., rather than to actually interact with and
care for E.M.C. In showing that I.M. was not interested in seeing and spending time
with E.M.C. but was instead motivated to get together with A.C.-E. to have sex with
her, the sexual conduct evidence undermined I.M.’s good cause defense to the
abandonment allegation and bolstered A.C.-E’s allegation of failure to assume
parental responsibility.
¶38 I.M. argues that the evidence that I.M. sought to have a sexual
relationship with A.C.-E. was not relevant because “[p]eople can be parents and
sexual partners” and “the parent’s motive for assuming a parental role is irrelevant
to statutory grounds for termination.” This argument misses the mark because the
evidence was not introduced to show that I.M. had a motive for “assuming a parental
role,” but to show that he assumed no parental role. The evidence supported
A.C.-E.’s claims that I.M. used requests for child visits as a ruse to try to have sexual
encounters with A.C.-E. and that, during his visits, he ignored E.M.C. and instead
focused on obtaining sex from A.C.-E.
B. Undue Prejudice and Harmless Error
¶39 I.M. asserts that the sexual misconduct and domestic abuse evidence
was unduly prejudicial under WIS. STAT. § 904.03. However, having determined
the evidence was relevant, and in light of the overwhelming evidence set forth above
regarding I.M.’s abandonment of E.M.C., lack of good cause, and failure to assume
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No. 2019AP573
parental responsibility, I cannot conclude that the probative value of the challenged
evidence was “substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice,” as
required for exclusion under WIS. STAT. § 904.03. Further, based on this same
overwhelming evidence of abandonment and failure to assume parental
responsibility, even if the court erroneously exercised its discretion in admitting the
challenged evidence, I conclude that any error was harmless. See, e.g., Martindale,
246 Wis. 2d 67, ¶30; Evelyn C.R., 246 Wis. 2d 1, ¶28.
IV. Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
¶40 Parents are entitled to the effective assistance of counsel during TPR
proceedings. Oneida Cty. Dep’t of Soc. Servs. v. Nicole W., 2007 WI 30, ¶33,
299 Wis. 2d 637, 728 N.W.2d 652; see also A.S. v. State, 168 Wis. 2d 995, 1005,
485 N.W.2d 52 (1992) (adopting ineffective assistance of counsel standard for TPR
proceedings). The test for ineffective assistance of counsel during TPR proceedings
is the same as the two-prong Strickland8 test applicable to criminal cases. See
Nicole W., 299 Wis. 2d 637, ¶33. Under Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668(1984), to show that counsel was ineffective, a parent must demonstrate: that
(1) counsel was deficient; and (2) counsel’s deficiency prejudiced the parent. Id. at
687. Counsel’s performance is deficient if it fell outside the “wide range of
professional competent assistance.” State v. Pico, 2018 WI 66, ¶19, 382 Wis. 2d
273, 914 N.W.2d 95 (quoting Strickland, 466 U.S. at 690; internal quotation marks
omitted). When assessing deficient performance, “[t]he question is whether an
attorney’s representation amounted to incompetence under prevailing professional
norms, not whether it deviated from best practices or most common custom.” Id.(quoting Harrington v. Richter, 562 U.S. 86, 88, (2011); internal quotation marks
8
See Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668 (1984).
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No. 2019AP573
omitted). The prejudice prong requires establishing “a reasonable probability that,
but for counsel’s unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have been
different.” Id., ¶20 (quoting Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694; internal quotation marks
omitted). “A reasonable probability is a probability sufficient to undermine
confidence in the outcome.” Id. (internal quotation marks and quoted source
omitted).
¶41 During the trial, A.C.-E. and I.M. offered competing testimony about
whether I.M. accompanied A.C.-E. to her prenatal doctor appointments. See L.K.
v. B.B., 113 Wis. 2d 429, 438-39, 335 N.W.2d 846 (1983) (parent’s actions prior to
child’s birth, including interest in prenatal care, are relevant to determining whether
a parent has failed to assume parental responsibility). A.C.-E. testified that I.M. did
not attend any of her prenatal or postnatal doctor appointments. I.M. testified that
he attended some prenatal appointments.
¶42 A.C.-E. introduced a signed letter by her doctor, stating that I.M. was
not present at any of the prenatal appointments, nor did the doctor see I.M. at any
of the well-child or sick-child appointments. I.M.’s counsel did not object to the
introduction of the letter. At the postdisposition hearing, I.M.’s counsel testified
that she had agreed with A.C.-E.’s counsel that she would not object to the
introduction of the letter; however, she could not recall a reason for this decision.
¶43 On appeal, I.M. argues that his counsel was ineffective for failing to
object to the introduction of the letter from A.C.-E.’s doctor because it was
inadmissible hearsay. See WIS. STAT. § 908.02. He argues that this alleged
deficiency was prejudicial because it bolstered A.C.-E.’s testimony that I.M. did not
attend any doctor’s appointments, thereby supporting A.C.-E.’s claim that I.M.
failed to establish a parental relationship with E.M.C. See WIS. STAT.
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No. 2019AP573
§ 48.415(6)(a) (failure to assume parental responsibility ground is established by
showing the parent has not had a “substantial parental relationship” with the child).
¶44 I reject I.M.’s ineffective assistance of counsel claim because I.M. has
not demonstrated that the alleged deficiency was prejudicial.9 In the context of the
entire two-day trial, whatever probative value I.M.’s presence or absence from the
doctor visits may have had was de minimis. Accordingly, I.M. has failed to
demonstrate “a reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s unprofessional errors,
the result of the proceeding would have been different.” See Pico, 382 Wis. 2d 273,
¶20 (quoting Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694; internal quotation marks omitted).
CONCLUSION
¶45 For the reasons set forth above, the circuit court’s order is affirmed.
By the Court.—Order affirmed.
This opinion will not be published. See WIS. STAT. RULE
809.23(1)(b)4.
9
Because I conclude that I.M. has not shown that he was prejudiced by his counsel’s
performance, I do not address whether I.M.’s counsel was deficient. See State v. Mayo, 2007 WI
78, ¶61, 301 Wis. 2d 642, 734 N.W.2d 115 (reviewing court “need not address both the
performance and the prejudice elements, if the defendant cannot make a sufficient showing as to
one or the other element”).
22