Taylor County Human Services v. L. E.

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.
February 15, 2022
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. 2021AP1292 Cir. Ct. No. 2020ME19

STATE OF WISCONSIN IN COURT OF APPEALS
DISTRICT III

IN THE MATTER OF THE MENTAL COMMITMENT OF L. E.:

TAYLOR COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES,

PETITIONER-RESPONDENT,

V.

L. E.,

RESPONDENT-APPELLANT.

APPEAL from orders of the circuit court for Taylor County:
ANN KNOX-BAUER, Judge. Affirmed.

¶1 STARK, P.J.1 Luca2 appeals from orders extending his involuntary
commitment and for involuntary medication and treatment, both entered pursuant

1
This appeal is decided by one judge pursuant to WIS. STAT. § 752.31(2) (2019-20). All
references to the Wisconsin Statutes are to the 2019-20 version unless otherwise noted.
No. 2021AP1292

to WIS. STAT. ch. 51. Although Luca does not challenge his underlying
recommitment, he argues that the circuit court improperly shifted the burden to
him to prove that he did not require locked inpatient care, and that Taylor County
Human Services (“the County”) failed to present sufficient evidence to support the
court’s conclusion that placement in a locked inpatient facility was the least
restrictive placement he required. In addition, Luca challenges the court’s
determination that he was not competent to refuse medication or treatment.

¶2 We conclude the County presented ample evidence to support the
circuit court’s order that Luca’s placement in a locked inpatient facility was the
least restrictive placement required, and that the court did not shift the burden of
proof from the County to Luca on that issue. Additionally, sufficient evidence
supported the court’s order for involuntary medication and treatment.
Accordingly, we affirm both orders on appeal.

BACKGROUND

¶3 In September 2020, Luca entered an emergency room and cut his
forearms with a razor blade in full view of a hospital employee, stating he had quit
his job and was planning to kill himself. Luca was subsequently involuntarily
committed pursuant to WIS. STAT. ch. 51 on September 28, 2020, for a period of
six months. The circuit court did not enter an order for involuntary medication
and treatment during the period of Luca’s initial six-month commitment.

2
For ease of reading, we refer to the appellant in this confidential matter using a
pseudonym, rather than his initials.

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¶4 The following February, the County filed a petition to extend Luca’s
commitment by one year. The circuit court held a recommitment hearing on
March 18, 2021. Doctor Brian Stress, a psychologist, testified about his
examination of Luca conducted in preparation for the hearing, his review of
Luca’s records, and his discussions with Luca’s counselor and social worker.

¶5 Doctor Stress stated that although Luca was “pleasant” and
“respectful,” he “continues to have suicidal thoughts all day every day when he’s
basically awake.” Stress recounted that Luca had explained to him in detail his
plans and thoughts of killing himself while in inpatient treatment—including
jumping from a water tower, drowning himself, standing his bed up on end and
letting it fall on his head, and suffocating himself with a plastic bag. Luca had
further described to Stress that while at an inpatient facility during his initial
commitment, he had smashed his clock radio, taken one of the broken plastic
pieces, and cut his leg. Stress opined that this incident could have been either a
suicide attempt or lesser “self-injurious behavior.” Stress testified that Luca had
previously attempted to commit suicide on several occasions and had started
having suicidal thoughts as early as twelve years old.

¶6 Doctor Stress testified he believed Luca suffered from “borderline
personality disorder, adjustment disorder with depression and anxiety chronic
versus major depressive disorder currently in remission [without3] psychotic traits,
alcohol use disorder episodic in forced remission, and Cannabis use disorder
constant in forced remission.” He opined that Luca’s thought processes “were

3
Although Doctor Stress initially testified that he believed Luca suffered from a major
depressive disorder with psychotic traits, on cross-examination he clarified that he had
misspoken, and that Luca suffered from a disorder without psychotic traits.

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No. 2021AP1292

impaired due to his mental health symptoms, suicidal ideations, and [his] planning
to kill himself.” Stress testified that he believed Luca to be a proper subject for
treatment and dangerous. He opined: “[I]f treatment were removed[,] there’s a
more likely than not probability that [Luca] would unfortunately participate in
behaviors that could result in his injury or death based on his thoughts and past
behaviors.”

¶7 Doctor Stress further testified that he had explained Luca’s
medication to him, and that although Luca understood what Stress was saying, “he
indicated that he didn’t want to participate in treatment. He just wanted to be
dead.” Stress noted that although Luca explained he might be willing to take the
“right medication,” when asked what that medication might be, Luca indicated
that he did not know, and that “pot” was the only thing that actually helped him.

¶8 Doctor Stress noted that Luca was prescribed Gabapentin to be taken
twice a day, but that Luca stated he was taking the medication “as needed only.”
Stress testified that Luca’s

insight is impaired related to his mental health and alcohol
and drug symptoms which could result in impaired
judgment and subsequent poor behaviors. So the—
depending on his mental health symptoms which very
clearly he does not appear to have an understanding of the
advantages and disadvantages and I don’t believe he’s
competent to accept or refuse medications as a result of
that, in my opinion.

Stress concluded that the least restrictive environment for Luca consistent with his
treatment needs “would be continued placement in a locked facility to attempt to
[e]nsure his safety and the safety of those he interacts with here.” Stress explained
that once Luca made improvements, an outpatient facility could become
appropriate.

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No. 2021AP1292

¶9 Brooke Bauer, a certified social worker from Luca’s inpatient care
facility, testified next. Bauer described Luca’s level of engagement in the
available treatment and therapies at the facility as “[l]ittle to none.” Bauer
explained that the facility offered activities such as therapy, physical exercise, and
mindfulness exercises, and that while Luca went to activities when he was asked
to attend, “there’s some questionability about if he feels it’s beneficial to him
similar to what Doctor Stress said.” Bauer stated that one of the treatment goals
Luca had developed was mood stabilization and “just finding joy in something,
frankly,” but that Luca had not been progressing in meeting his goals as a result of
his mood fluctuations.

¶10 Bauer confirmed that Luca regularly discussed death with her, and
that he had made comments about killing himself in “similar if not almost
identical conversations as Doctor Stress has.” Bauer explained that Luca was not
actively on suicide watch as he had been doing well in requesting a seclusion
room, or similar options if he was feeling as though he was a danger to himself.
Luca’s county case manager, Michelle Deml, briefly testified, noting that Luca
made comments about wanting to kill himself “[e]very time” she had spoken with
him, and “that’s the primary goal he identifies.”

¶11 The circuit court found that Luca had a mental illness that resulted in
suicidal ideation, making plans about ways to commit suicide, and self-harm. The
court concluded that Luca met the standards for commitment given the
significance of his mental health issues and the lack of progress that he had made
in overcoming his suicidal thoughts and actions. The court ordered that Luca be
placed in locked inpatient treatment. In support of this placement decision, the
court relied on the testimony of Dr. Stress, who opined that Luca needed to be
placed in a locked inpatient facility, which would be the least restrictive placement

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No. 2021AP1292

consistent with the level of protection that he needed. The court recognized the
possibility that Luca might be frustrated due to being placed in a locked facility,
but it concluded that “the primary thing here is keeping him safe.”

¶12 The circuit court separately issued a written decision and an order
for Luca’s involuntary medication and treatment, finding that the County had
presented clear and convincing evidence that Luca was not competent to refuse
medication. The court reasoned that Luca had expressed to Dr. Stress that he did
not want to participate in voluntary treatment, and that “he just wants to die.” In
addition, the court noted that Luca was unable to explain the effect Gabapentin
had on him except to say that the only medication he wanted to take was “pot.”
The court concluded: “[I]t is clear that [Luca’s] belief that he should die prevents
him from a legitimate thought-process regarding the risk and benefits of taking
Gabapentin.”

DISCUSSION

I. Least Restrictive Placement

¶13 Luca first argues that the circuit court improperly shifted the burden
from the County to him to prove that he did not require locked inpatient care.
When a court commits a person under WIS. STAT. ch. 51, it must also “designat[e]
the maximum level of inpatient facility, if any, that may be used for treatment.”
WIS. STAT. § 51.20(13)(c)2. This statute protects a committee’s due process
interest “that a commitment determination consider those alternatives which
would have a less drastic effect on the curtailment of the individual’s freedom and
civil liberties.” J.R.R. v. State, 145 Wis. 2d 431, 437, 427 N.W.2d 137 (Ct. App.
1988). Review of a circuit court’s recommitment order under § 51.20 presents a
mixed question of fact and law. Waukesha Cnty. v. J.W.J., 2017 WI 57, ¶15, 375

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No. 2021AP1292

Wis. 2d 542, 895 N.W.2d 783. Appellate courts uphold the circuit court’s findings
of fact unless they are clearly erroneous, but whether the facts satisfy the statutory
standard is a question of law that is reviewed de novo. Id.

¶14 In analyzing Luca’s least restrictive placement, the circuit court
stated: “It hasn’t been demonstrated sufficiently that [Luca] wouldn’t engage in
self-harm if he were allowed to be in a group home or that there are sufficient
safeguards with that type of placement that would satisfy the court that he should
be in that lesser restrictive environment.” Luca argues that this language
evidences the court’s impermissible shift of the burden of proof to him, requiring
him to show that he would not engage in self-harm in a less restrictive setting.

¶15 Luca correctly argues that the burden is on the County in a
recommitment proceeding to prove all required facts by clear and convincing
evidence. See WIS. STAT. § 51.20(13)(e); Langlade Cnty. v. D.J.W., 2020 WI 41,
¶23, 391 Wis. 2d 231, 942 N.W.2d 277. We conclude that the circuit court’s
statement is somewhat ambiguous due to its use of passive voice and a double
negative. In the context of the court’s overall analysis, however, it is evident that
it did not shift the burden of proof to Luca on the issue of his least restrictive
placement.

¶16 After finding that Luca was mentally ill and suffered from suicidal
ideation, the circuit court discussed the evidence in the record that supported its
placement determination, relying on Dr. Stress’s opinion that Luca required
inpatient treatment for his own safety. The language Luca highlights was no more
than the court’s conclusion—as a part of its broader analysis—that due to the lack
of safeguards in less restrictive placements, no facts in the record supported a
placement with less supervision than provided in an inpatient facility. The court

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No. 2021AP1292

did not state that it was altering the burden of proof, or that it was placing that
burden on Luca. It also did not ask Luca to present evidence, or suggest that Luca
was required to prove certain facts or circumstances on the issue of placement.
The burden to support the recommitment remained on the County, and we
conclude that the burden of proof was not impermissibly shifted to Luca.

¶17 Luca also argues that the County failed to prove that placement in a
locked inpatient facility was the least restrictive placement he required.4 The
testimony presented at the recommitment hearing, however, supported the circuit
court’s decision to order locked, inpatient treatment. Bauer, Deml and Dr. Stress
all testified that Luca constantly talked about dying and the ways in which he
thought about or planned to commit suicide. Stress confirmed that Luca was
dangerous due to his impaired judgment and that he “didn’t want to participate in
treatment. He just wanted to be dead.” In addition, Luca had a long history of
suicidal ideation and he had even cut himself with a broken clock radio while
under commitment at the inpatient facility. Given these circumstances, it was
reasonable for the court to conclude that Luca required placement in an inpatient
environment with significant supervision to ensure that he would not act on his
suicidal thoughts and plans.

¶18 Luca appears to argue that the circuit court abdicated its role to
Dr. Stress in determining his least restrictive placement. We disagree. The court
could reasonably rely upon the testimony and report of the sole expert in making

4
We note that Luca does not challenge the underlying recommitment order and he
instead raises arguments solely related to the restrictiveness of his placement. As a result, we do
not conduct an analysis related to dangerousness or the remainder of the circuit court’s
conclusions made at the recommitment hearing.

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No. 2021AP1292

its decision about Luca’s placement. The court is not required to accept the
testimony of an expert. See State v. Brown, 2005 WI 29, ¶¶88-89, 279 Wis. 2d
102, 693 N.W.2d 715. However, it cannot be criticized for relying upon the
expert’s opinion if, as here, it is supported by the record. See Wisconsin v.
Kienitz, 227 Wis. 2d 423, 440, 597 N.W.2d 712 (1999) (“The trier of fact has the
ability to accept so much of the testimony of a medical expert that it finds credible,
and it then weighs the evidence and resolves any conflicts in testimony.” (citations
omitted)).

¶19 Luca argues that inpatient treatment was not required as he was not
on suicide watch at the time of the hearing. He points to Bauer’s testimony that he
participated in activities at the facility and that he had “made agreements” with the
staff about what to do when he felt depressed, including developing coping
techniques such as isolating himself. These facts, while relevant, do not mean that
it was not appropriate for Luca to be subject to inpatient treatment given his
significant risk of suicide and other self-harm. The coping mechanisms Luca
argues he uses were based upon the relationship he developed with the inpatient
facility staff, the availability of an isolation room, and his willingness to ask for
help to access it—all resources that would be less accessible or inaccessible in less
restrictive placement settings.

¶20 Furthermore, Bauer testified to the unique nature of the inpatient
placement, stating that “[Luca] feels a sense of support there that he does not feel
in other places.” Although Luca argues that no special protocols such as suicide
checks were in place, Bauer testified that those protocols would be available if
Luca was feeling actively suicidal. Given the evidence of Luca’s significant and
ongoing suicide risk and his treatment needs, the circuit court’s finding that his

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No. 2021AP1292

placement in an inpatient facility with the capacity for enhanced suicide protection
was the least restrictive placement he required is amply supported by the evidence.

II. Order for Involuntary Medication and Treatment

¶21 Luca next argues that the circuit court erred in entering an order for
his involuntary medication and treatment. He contends that he was capable of
understanding his medication and condition, and he was therefore competent to
refuse medication.

¶22 In order to establish that a person is not competent to refuse
medication or treatment under WIS. STAT. § 51.61(1)(g)4., the County has the
burden of proving one of two standards: (1) that the individual is incapable of
expressing an understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of accepting
medication or treatment and the alternatives; or (2) that the individual is
substantially incapable of applying an understanding of the advantages,
disadvantages and alternatives to his or her mental illness, developmental
disability, alcoholism or drug dependence in order to make an informed choice as
to whether to accept or refuse medication or treatment.5

¶23 The circuit court checked the box on the form order for
recommitment indicating that Luca met the second of these standards, although it

5
Although the wording is not explicit in the plain language of the statute, the second
standard under WIS. STAT. § 51.61(1)(g)4. has been interpreted as requiring that the County prove
that the individual is substantially incapable of applying his or her understanding of the
medication and its alternatives to his or her mental illness, in order to make an informed choice
about accepting or refusing treatment. See Outagamie Cnty. v. Melanie L., 2013 WI 67, ¶55, 349
Wis. 2d 148, 833 N.W.2d 607. This standard requires the petitioner to show that a committee is
unable to make a connection between an expressed understanding of the benefits and risks of
medication and his or her own mental illness. Id., ¶71.

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No. 2021AP1292

did not specifically discuss in its written decision which standard applied. We
assume without deciding that the evidence shows Luca was capable of
understanding the advantages and disadvantages of accepting medication and
treatment or its alternatives. We nevertheless agree with the court’s conclusion
that the County presented sufficient evidence for the court to determine that Luca
is substantially incapable of applying an understanding of the advantages,
disadvantages and alternatives to his mental illness, in order to make an informed
choice as to whether to accept or refuse medication or treatment.

¶24 Luca contends that Dr. Stress agreed that he was able to understand
the advantages and understand the potential side effects of Gabapentin, was
willing to take medication if it helped him, was able to recognize past treatment
that had helped him, and was voluntarily taking Gabapentin when he felt he
needed it. Luca argues that the circuit court may not agree with his decision to
only take Gabapentin as needed or his determination that “pot” was an effective
treatment. He cites, however, to the proposition that “the court’s determination
should not turn on the person’s choice to refuse to take medication; it should turn
on the person’s ability to process and apply the information to the person’s own
condition before making that choice.” See Outagamie Cnty. v. Melanie L., 2013
WI 67, ¶78, 349 Wis. 2d 148, 833 N.W.2d 607. He argues that the circuit court
erred in concluding that he was unable to do so.

¶25 We disagree. The circuit court concluded that Luca was unable to
describe the effect Gabapentin had on him, and that “[i]t is clear that [Luca’s]
belief that he should die prevents him from a legitimate thought-process regarding
the risk and benefits of taking Gabapentin.” Dr. Stress’s testimony supports this
finding. He opined that Luca’s claimed willingness to die and his failure to take
his medication as prescribed evidenced Luca’s thought processes being “impaired

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No. 2021AP1292

due to his mental health symptoms, suicidal ideations, and planning to kill
himself.” Despite Luca’s arguments to the contrary, this was not a case where he
was competent to make an informed choice about committing suicide in lieu of
undergoing treatment and taking his medication as prescribed.

¶26 Although Luca may be able to understand his medication and
treatment options, it is evident from Dr. Stress’s testimony that Luca’s adjustment
disorder with depression, chronic anxiety and major depressive disorder prevent
him from processing that information and applying it in order to make an informed
choice about accepting or refusing those medication and treatment options. In
short, despite the fact that Luca understands the treatment and medication
prescribed and their purposes, his mental illness interferes with his ability to make
an informed and rational choice about whether to engage in the recommended
treatment and take his medication as prescribed. Accordingly, we affirm both the
order extending his involuntary commitment and the order for involuntary
medication and treatment.6

By the Court.—Orders affirmed.

This opinion will not be published. See WIS. STAT.
RULE 809.23(1)(b)4.

6
Although both parties make arguments related to mootness, we need not address them
because we are releasing this opinion before Luca’s recommitment order expires.

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