In re J.M.

Court found Respondent father to be an unfit parent and terminated his parental rights to his son, age 5. Court did not violate Respondent's due process rights in denying his counsel's request for a continuance and held the proceedings in his absence when he was incarcerated. Respondent was represented by counsel who cross-examined State's witnesses and argued vigorously on his behalf. Base on strength of State's case, it is highly unlikely that Respondent's presence, in person or telephonically, would have made any difference to the outcome. Respondent pled guilty, in Wisconsin, to aggravated battery of his son, for inflicting over 576 bruises on the boy's body. (BIRKETT and ZENOFF, concurring.)