Matter of Parental Rights to Sueann Am

There are three issues presented in this case. First, whether sec. 48.42(2m), Stats.,1 denies a father standing to appear and contest a petition to involuntarily terminate his parental rights under sec. 48.415 when his daughter was conceived as a result of the father's sexual assault of the mother, who was a child under the age of 16 at the time, contrary to sec. 948.02(2). We conclude that sec. 48.42(2m) denies such standing.

Second, whether the record in this case is sufficient to establish that the father failed to assume parental responsibility under sec. 48.415(6)(a)2, Stats. We conclude…