State v. Williquette

The state appeals an order dismissing a criminal information against Terri Williquette. The state accused Williquette of abusing her children, in violation of sec. 940.201, Stats. The state alleges that Williquette intentionally failed to protect her children from abuse inflicted by her husband, who is the father of the children. The circuit court concluded that sec. 940.201 does not impose criminal liability on parents who fail to protect their children from abuse. The state contends that Williquette directly committed child abuse because her failure to act exposed the children to abuse.…