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## NO. 12

- 22

- 00183 -CV
IN THE COUR T OF APPEALS
TWELFTH COURT OF APPEALS DISTRICT TYLER, TEXAS

IN THE INTEREST OF
D.A. AND G. A.,
CHILDREN § § § APPEAL FROM THE 420TH
JUDIC IAL DISTRICT COURT
NACOGDOCHES COUNTY, TEXAS
MEMORANDUM OPINION C.P. and M.A. appeal the termination of their p arental rights. They each present six issues on appeal. We affirm.

B ACKGROUND C.P. is the father and M.A. is the mother of D.A. and G.A. On June 19, 2020, the Department of Family and Protective Services (the Department) filed an original petition for protection of D.A. and G.A., for conservatorship, and for termination of C.P.’s and M.A.’s parental rights. The Department was appointed temporary managing conservator of the children. Following a bench trial, the trial court entered an agreed final orde r in a suit affecting the parent

- child relationship (the Agreed Order) in January 2021. The Agreed Order appointed the Department as permanent managing conservator of the children and M.A. and C.P. were appointed possessory conservators. The Agreed Order also provided that M.A.’s and C.P.’s access would be at the D epartment’s discretion. On February 14, 2022, the Department filed a petition to modify the Agreed Order , alleging that the circumstances of the children, parent, sole managing conservator, pos sessory conservator, or other party affected by the Agreed Ord er have materially and substantially changed. The Department requested terminati on of M.A.’s and C.P.’s parental rights. At the conclusion of a trial on the merits, the trial court found, by clear and convincing evidence C.P. engaged in one or more of the acts or omissions necessary to support termination2 of his parental rights under subsections (D), (E), (N) and (O) of Texas Family Code Section 161.001(b)(1). The trial court also found that termination of the parent

- child relationship between C.P . and th e children is in the child ren’ s best interest. Based on these findings, the trial court ordered that the parent-child relationship between C.P. and the children be terminated. The trial court a lso found, by clear and convincing evidence M.A. engaged in on e or more of the acts or omissions necessary to support termination of h er parent al rights under subsections (D), (E), (N) and (O) of Texas Family Code Section 161.001(b)(1). The trial court fo und that termination of the parent

- child relationship between M.A . and the children is in the child ren’ s best interest. Based on these findings, the trial court ordered that the parent -child relationship between M.A. and the children be terminated. This appea l followed.

T ERMINATION OF P ARENTAL R IGHTS Involuntary termination of parental rights embodies fundamental constitutional rights. Vela v. M arywood , 17 S.W.3d 750, 759 (Tex. App.

–Austin 2000), pet. denied per curiam , 53 S.W.3d 684 (Tex. 2001); In re J.J
. , 911 S.W.2d 437, 439 (Tex. App.

— Texarkana 1995, writ denied). Because a termination action “permanently sunders” the bonds between a parent a nd child, the proceedings must be strictly scrutinized. Wiley v. Spratlan , 543 S.W.2d 349, 352 (Tex. 1976); In re Sha w , 966 S.W.2d 174, 179 (Tex. App.—El Paso 1998, no pet.). Section 161.001 of the Family Code permits a court to order termination of parent al rights if two elements are established. T EX

. F AM

. C ODE A NN . § 161.001 (West 2022); In re J.M.T. , 39 S.W.3d 234, 237 (Tex. App.

— Waco 1999, no pet.). First, the parent must have engaged in any one of the acts or omissions itemized in the second subsection of the statute. T EX

. F AM

. C ODE A NN . § 161.001(b)(1); Green v. Tex. Dep ’t of Protective & Regulatory Servs. , 25 S .W.3d 213, 219 (Tex. App.

— El Paso 2000, no pet.); In re J.M.T. , 39 S.W.3d at 237. Second, termination must be in the best interest of the child . T EX

. F AM

. C ODE A NN . § 161.001(b)(2); In re J.M.T. , 39 S.W.3d at 237. Bo th elements must be established by clear and convincing evidence, and proof of one element does not alleviate the petitioner ’ s burden of proving the other. T EX

. F AM

. C ODE A NN . § 161.001; Wiley , 543 S.W.2d at 351; In re J.M.T. , 39 S.W.3d at 237. The clear a nd convincing standard for termination o f parental rights is both constitutionally and statutorily mandated. T EX

. F AM

. C ODE A NN

. § 161.001; In re J.J. , 9113 S.W.2d at 439. Clear and convincing evidence means “the measure or degree of proof that will produce in the mind of the trier of fact a firm belief or conviction as to the truth of the allegations sought to be established.” T EX

. F AM

. C ODE A NN

. § 101.007 (West 2019). The burden of proof is upon the party seeking the deprivation of parental rights. In re J .M.T. , 39 S.W.3d at 240.

S TANDARD OF R E VIEW When confronted with both a legal and factual sufficiency challenge, an appellate court must first review the legal sufficiency of the evi dence. Glover v. Tex. Gen. Indem. Co. , 619 S.W.2d 400, 401 (Tex. 1981); In re M.D.S. , 1 S.W.3d 190, 197 (Tex. App .— Amarillo 1999, no pet.). In conducting a legal sufficiency review, we must look at all the evidence in the light most favorable to the findin g to determine whether a reasonable trier of fact could have formed a firm belief or conviction that its findings were true. In re J.F.C. , 96 S.W.3d 256, 266 (Tex. 2002). We must assume that the fact finder settled disputed facts in favor of its finding if a reasonable fact finder could do so and disregard all evidence that a reasonable fact finder could have disbelieved or found incredible. Id

. The appropriate standard for reviewing a factual sufficiency challenge to the termination findings is whether the evidence is such that a fact finder could reasonably form a firm belief or conviction about the truth of the petitioner's allegations. In re C.H. , 89 S.W.3d 17, 25 (Tex. 2002). In determining whether the fact finder has met this standard, an appellate court considers all the evidence in the record, both that in support of and contrary to the trial court ’ s findings. Id

. at 27

- 29. Further, an appellate court should consider whether disputed evidence is such that a reasonable fact finder could not have reconc iled that disputed evidence in favor of its finding. In re J.F.C. , 96 S.W.3d at 266. The trier of fact is the exclusive judge of the credibility of the witnesses and the weight to be given their testimony. Nordstrom v. Nordstrom , 965 S.W.2d 575, 580 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1997, pet. denied).

S COPE OF R EVIEW In their first issue, M.A. and C.P. urge that the evidence is insufficient to show a material change in circumstances. They do not request any specific relief under this issue or analyze the

e vidence under any particular standard of review. Accordingly, it i s unclear whether M.A.’s and C.P.’s first issue directly attacks the final order or is intended to affect the scope of review of4 their other sufficiency points. See In re D.N. , 405 S.W.3d 863, 870 (Tex. App.

— Amarillo 2013, no pet.) (“[T]o rely on acts or omissions evidence of which has been presented t o the trial court prior to the earlier order denying termination, the Department must garner sufficient evidence of section 161.004’s elements, including a material and substantial change of the parties ’ circumstances.”). We assume without deciding that t he Department was required to prove a material and substantial change to rely on evidence of acts or omissions occurring before the trial court ’ s prior order. See id

. at 869

– 70. Because we ultimately consider evidence of acts and omissions occurring before the date of the trial court ’ s prior order when evaluating the sufficiency of the evidence to prove the children ’ s best interest and the predicate ground for termination, we will review the sufficienc y of the evidence to support the trial court ’ s finding o f a material and substantial change in circumstances. Applicable Law When, as here, the Department seeks termination after a trial court ’ s prio r denial of termination, the trial court may terminate parental rights by following the familiar procedure under Section 161.001 of the Family Code, or the court may terminate parental rights under Section 161.004. See In re A.L.H. , 515 S.W.3d 60, 89 (Tex. App.— Houston [14th Dist.] 2017, pet. denied). Section 161.001 provides the typical avenue for termination, when a court may terminate based on findings that (1) the parent committed one or more acts specifically named in the Family Code as grounds for ter mination, and (2) termination is in the child ’ s best interest. See In re U.P. , 105 S.W.3d 222, 229 (Tex. App.

— Hou ston [14th Dist.] 2003, pet. denied). Section 161.004 provides an alternative method for termination following the rendition of an order that p reviously denied termination if (1) terminati on is in the child ’ s best interest, (2) the new petition to terminat e was filed after the date of the prior order denying termination; (3) the parent committed an act listed under Section 161.001 before the date of the prior order denying termination; and (4) the circumstances of the child, parent, sole managing conservato r, possessory conservator, or other party affected by the order have materially and substantially changed since the date of the order. T EX

. F AM

. C ODE A NN

. § 161.004(a) (West 2022) . At a he aring under this section, “the court may consider evidence presented at a previous hearing in a suit for termination of the parent

- child relationship of the parent with respect to the same child.” Id . § 161.004( b).5 “[T]here are no definite guidelines as to what constitutes a ‘material and substantial change in circumstance s’ to terminate parental rights under section 161.004.” In re A.L.H. , 515 S.W.3d at 89. The Fourteenth Court of Appeals has determined that a material and substantial change existed when the parent was adjudicated guilty of a crime and sentenced to prison after the prior order, and when a parent failed to complete a family service plan by failing to visit the child and attend medical appointment s. S ee In re M.J.W. , No. 14 -16-00276- CV, 2016 WL 4206046, at *8 (Tex. App.

— Houston [14th Dist.] Aug. 9, 2016, pet. denied) (mem. op.) ; see also In re C.A.C. , No. 14 -12-00396- CV, 2012 WL 4465234, at *9 (Tex. App.

— Houston [14th Dist.] Sept. 27, 2012, no pet.) (mem. op.). Analysis In this case, the Department requested termination under both S ections 161.001 and 161.004 . The Department specifically alleged that the circumstances of the children materially and substantially changed since the prior order. And there is no evidence the Department abandoned any of its pleadings at trial. T he Department clearly relied on actions that both predated and postdated the prior termination order. M.A. and C.P. seem to attack the lack of a specif ic finding that the circ umstances changed. However, absent findings on these ultimate issues, we presume the trial court made all fact f indings necessary to support the order of termination. Smith v. Smith , 22 S.W.3d 140, 149 (Tex. App.— Houston [14th Dist.] 2000, no pet.) ; see In re N.R.T. , 338 S.W.3d 667, 678 (Tex. App.—Amarillo 2011, no pet.). The testimony at trial showed that, at the time of the Agreed Order, the Department intended to place the children with their maternal grandmother in South Dakota. However, after the ent ry of the Agreed Order, the grandmother contacted caseworker Macee Skillern and informed her that “she would not feel safe with [C.P.] being involved with the children if they were placed in her home.” The grandmother did not feel like she could keep the children safe if C.P. knew where they were placed. The Department then attempted to contact C.P. and M.A. to
set up visitation and a new service plan. However, according to Skillern, the parents were “very difficult to locate” and contact. Skillern test ified that neither parent engaged with the new services or the Department. We conclude that these facts, which a re undisputed, demonstrate a material and substantial change in the circumstances of the children, the Department, and t he future placement of the children after the Agreed Order. M.A.’s and C.P.’s first issue is overruled.6 T ERMINATION U NDER S ECTION 161.001( B )(1)( D ) AND ( E ) In their second and third issues, M.A. and C.P. argue the evidence is legally and factually insuffic ient to terminate their parental rights pursuant to subsections (D) and (E) of Texas Family Code Section 161.001(b)(1). Applicable Law The c ourt may order termination of the parent-child relationship if the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the parent has knowingly placed or knowingly allowed the child to remain in conditions or surroundings which endanger the physical or emoti onal well

- being of the child. T EX

. F AM

. C ODE A NN . § 161.001(b)(1)(D). Subsection (D) addresses the chil d’ s surroundings and environment. In re N.R. , 101 S.W.3d 771, 775

- 76 (Tex. App.

— Texarkana 2003, no pet.). The child ’ s “environment” refers to the suitabi lity of the child ’ s living conditions as well as the conduct of parents or others in the home. In re S. R. , 452 S.W.3d 351, 360 (Tex. App.—H ouston [14th Dist.] 2014, pet. denied). The relevant time frame to determine whether there is clear and convincing ev idence of endangerment is before the child was removed. Ybarra v. Tex. Dep ’ t of Human Servs. , 869 S.W.2d 574, 577 (Tex. App.

— Corpus Christi 1993, no pet.). Further, subsection (D) permits termination based upon only a single act or omission. In re R.D. , 955 S.W.2d 364, 367 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 1997, pet. denied). The court may order termination of the par ent

- child relationship if it finds b y clear and convincing evidence that the parent has engaged in conduct, or knowingly placed the child with persons who engaged in conduct, that endangers the physical or emotional well

- being of the child. T EX

. F AM

. C ODE A NN . § 161.001(b)(1)(E). It is not n ecessary that the parent know for certain that the child is in an endangering environment; rather, awareness of the p otential for danger and a disregard of the risk is enough to show endangering conduct. Interest of J.H. , No. 09-20-00056- CV, 2020 WL 4516860, at *10 (Tex. App.

— Beaumont Aug. 6, 2020, no pet.) (mem. op.); see Interest of E.S. , No. 12 -20-00282- CV, 2021 WL 2483788, at *3 (Tex. App.

— Tyler June 17, 2021, pet. denied ) (mem. op.). Finally, the need for permanence is a paramount consideration for the chi ld ’ s present and future physical and emotional needs. In re N.K. , 99 S.W.3d 295, 301 n.9 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2003, no pet.); In re M.D.S. , 1 S.W.3d at 200. “Endanger” means to expose to loss or injury or to jeopardize. Tex. Dep ’ t of Human Servs. v. Bo yd , 727 S.W.2d 531, 533 (Tex. 1987); In re D.M. , 58 S.W.3d 801, 811 (Tex. App.

— Fort Worth 2001, no pet.). It is not necessary that the conduct be directed at the child or that the7 child actually suffers injury. Boyd , 727 S.W .2d at 533; In re J.J. , 911 S.W. 2d a t 440. When seeking termination under subsection (D), the Department must show that the child ’ s living conditions pos e a real threat of injury or harm. In re N.R. , 101 S.W.3d at 776; Ybarra , 869 S.W.2d at 577. Further, t here must be a connection betwee n th e conditions and the resulting danger to the child ’ s emotional or physical well

- being. Ybarra , 869 S.W.2d at 577

- 78. It is sufficient that the parent was aware of the potential for danger to the child in such environment and disregarded that risk. In r e N. R. , 101 S.W.3d at 776. In other words, conduct that demonstrates awareness of an endangering environment is sufficien t to show endangerment. Interest of T.A. , No. 12

- 20

- 00276

- CV, 2021 WL 2182316 at *4 (Tex. Ap p.

— Tyler May 28, 2021, pet. denied) (mem. o p.). We have previously concluded it is illogical to reason that inappropriate, debauching, unlawful, or unnatural conduc t of persons who live in the home of a child, or with whom a child is compelled to associate on a regular basis in his home, is not inh eren tly a part of the “conditions and surroundings” of that place or home. In re B.R. , 822 S.W.2d 103, 106 (Tex. App.

— Tyl er 1991, writ denied). Subsection (D) is designed to protect a child from precisely such an environment. Id

. Subsection (E) requires us to look at the parent ’ s conduct alone, including actions, omissions, or the parent ’ s failure to act. In re D.J. , 100 S.W .3d 658, 662 (Tex. App.

— Dallas 2003, pet. denied); In re D.M. , 58 S.W.3d at 811. Termination under subsection (E) must be based on more tha n a single act or omission. In re D.M. , 58 S.W.3d at 812; In re D.T. , 34 S.W.3d 625, 634 (Tex. App.

— Fort Worth 2000, pet. denied). A voluntary, deliberate, and conscious “course of conduct” by the parent that endangers the child ’ s physical and emotiona l

we ll

- being is required. In re D.M. , 58 S.W.3d at 812; In re D.T. , 34 S.W.3d at 634. As a general rule, conduct that sub jects a child to a life of uncertainty and instability endangers the physical and emotional well

- being of a child. In re M.R.J.M. , 280 S.W. 3d 494, 503 (Tex. App.

— Fort Worth 2009, no pet.); In re R.W. , 129 S.W.3d 732, 739 (Tex. App.

— Fort Worth 2004, pet. de nied). Endangering conduct is not limited to actions directed towards the child. Boyd , 727 S .W.2d at 533. It necessarily follows that t he e ndangering conduct may include the parent ’ s actions before the child ’ s birth and while the parent had custody of olde r children. See id . (stating that although endanger means more than a threat of metaphysical injury or the possible ill effects of a le ss - t han

- ideal family environment, it is not necessary that the parent ’ s conduct be directed at the child or that the chil d actually suffers injury); see also In re M.N.G. ,8 147 S.W.3d 521, 536 (Tex. App.

— Fort Worth 2004, pet. denied) (holding that courts may lo ok to parental conduct both before and after child ’ s birth to determine whether termination is appropriate). Further, the conduct may occur before the child ’ s birth and both before and after the child has been removed by the Department. Walker v. Tex. Dep ’ t of Family & Protective Servs. , 312 S.W.3d 608, 617 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2009, pet. denied). Analysis M.A . and C.P. argue on appeal that the evidence is insufficient to support termination under both subsections (D) and (E). Specifically, they urge the evidence since the Agreed Order showed that the children were in a foster home and that the Department was the only entity allowed to make decisions about the children. Relying on their S ection 161.004 argument, they do not contend the evide nce is insufficient to show they committed actions prior to the Agreed Order. Alice Wilson, a Department investigator, t estified that the Departmen t received a referral in June 2020 because M.A. had been hospitalized while in Galveston. The referral stat ed t hat M.A. “had been beaten for two days ” by C.P. “because she had purchased the incorrect diapers.” The referral also indicated M.A. admitted to using methamphetamine two days prior

. Wilson testified that she was unable to find the children but was able t o contact M.A. by phone. M.A. was staying at a shelter and asked Wilson for her help locating the children. M.A. and the children lived in Sou th Dakota and were visiting family in Texas at the time. According to Wilson, M.A. had no memory of the eve nts which led to her being found injured in a hotel stairwell . M.A. also claimed to have consumed “a great deal of alcohol” and could not recall ho w she sustained her injuries. When Wilson contacted C.P., he would not disclose the children ’s location

. W ilso n stated that the children were eventually located , with law enforcement’s help , with their maternal aunt in Nacogdoc hes

. Wilson testified that M.A. left the shelter with C.P. C.P. was arrested in Galveston in connection with the assault. Wilson sta ted that she attempted to work with M.A. to find a suitable placement for the children; however, M.A. was unable to provi de a relative or fictive -ki n placement. Wilson testified that she understood that the children witnessed the assault on M.A. because t he f amily was together at the beach. And based on that information, she believed the children were endangered by the dom estic violence between M.A. and C.P.9 Skillern testified that, following the children’s removal, M.A. and C.P. resided in Nacogdoches u ntil they moved to the Dallas area in February 2021. According to Skillern, the couple was “transient” and did not have a permanent address until M arch. During the case, the Department completed a reunification assessment and requested a monitored return of the children to M.A. and C.P. The children were placed with M.A. and C.P. in October 2021. Skillern testified that M.A. was pregnant during the case and gave birth in late September or early October. The baby died shortly thereafter. According to S kill ern, M.A. and C.P. caused the death by inappropriately co

- sleeping with the baby, even though there was a crib or bas sinet available in the apartment. D.A. and G.A. were removed from the monitored return after the baby’s death and returned to foster c are in November. Skillern testified that G.A. had cigarette burns on her legs, which were still healing one month after remov al. She also testified that there was an active criminal investigation relating to the cigarette burns. In addition, D.A. had

re vert ed to being “very shy and uncomfortable around males” following the second removal. D.A.’s fear of males had improve d by the time of trial. Based on the evidence, the trial court could have formed a firm belief or conviction that M.A. and C.P. engage d in domestic violence, caused the death of a child, and burned G.A. with a cigarette. Therefore, a fter reviewing the ev idenc e in the light most favorable to the judgment, we hold that a reasonable factfinder could have formed a firm belief or conviction that M.A. and C.P. knowingly placed or knowingly allowed the children to remain in conditions or surroundings that endang ered their physical or emotional well

- being and that they engaged in conduct or knowingly placed the children with persons who engaged in c onduct that endangered the children’s physical or emotional well

- being. See T EX

. F AM

. C ODE A NN

. § 161.001(b)(1)(D), (E)

. Therefore, we hold that the evidence is legally and factually sufficient to support termination of C.P.’s and M.A.’s parental rig hts under subsections (D) and (E) of Texas Family Code Section 161.001(b). Accordingly, we overrule C.P.’s and M.A.’s sec ond a nd third issues as to subsections (D) and (E) of Texas Family Code Section 161.001(b) and need not address their fourth and f ifth issu es regarding termination under subsections ( N ) and ( O ). See T EX

. R. A PP

. P. 47.1

.10 B EST I NTERESTS OF THE C HILD REN In C.P.’s and M.A.’s sixth issue, they argue the evidence is legally and factually insufficient to support a finding that termination of the ir parental rights is in the children ’ s best interest. In determining the best interest of the child, a number of factors have been considered, including (1) the desires of the child; (2) the emotional and physical needs of the child now and in the fut ure; (3) the emotional and physical danger to the child now and in the future; (4) the parental abilities of the individual s seeking custody; (5) the programs available to assist these individuals; (6) the plans for the child by these individuals; (7) the stab ility of the home; (8) the acts or omissions of the parent that may indicate the existing parent

- child relationship is not a proper one; and (9) any excuse for the acts or omissions of the parent. Holley v. Adams , 544 S.W.2d 367, 371-72 (Tex. 1976). Th e fa mily code also provides a list of factors that we will consider in conjunction with the above -mentioned Holley factors. See T EX

. F AM

. C ODE A NN . § 263.307(b) (West 2022 ). These include (1) the child ’ s age and physical and mental vulnerabilities; (2) the mag nitude, frequency, and circumstances of the harm to the child; (3) the results of psychiatric, psychological, or developmental evaluations of the child, the child ’ s parents, other family members, or others who have access to the child ’ s home; (4) wheth er t here is a history of substance abuse by the child ’ s family or others who have access to the child ’ s home; (5) the willi ngness and ability of the child’s family to seek out, accept, and complete counseling services and to cooperate with and facilitate a n ap propriate agency ’ s close supervision; (6) the willingness and ability of the child ’ s family to effect positive environm ental and personal changes within a reasonable period of time; (7) whether the child’ s family demonstrates adequate parenting skills; and (8) whether an adequate social support system consisting of an extended family and friends is available to the child. See id

. § 263.307(b)(1), (3), (6), (8), (10), (11), (12), (13). The evidence need not prove all statutory or Holley factors in order to show that termination of parental rights is in a child ’ s best interest. See Holley , 544 S.W.2d at 372; In re J.I.T.P. , 99 S.W.3d 841, 848 (Tex. App.

– Houston [14th Dist.] 2003, no pet.). In other words, the best interest of the child does not require pro of o f any unique set of factors nor limit proof to any specific factors. In re D.M. , 58 S.W.3d at 814. Undispute d evidence of just one factor may be sufficient in a particular case to support a finding that termination is in the child ’ s best interest.11 In r e M. R.J.M. , 280 S.W.3d at 507. But the presence of scant evidence relevant to each factor will not support such a finding. Id

. Evidence supporting termination of parental rights is also probative in determining whether termination is in the best interest o f th e child. See In re C.H. , 89 S.W.3d at 28-29. We apply the statutory and Holley factors below. Analysis At t he time of trial, D.A. was four years old and G.A. was two years old. Although the Department made visits with the children available , M.A. and C.P . were both inconsistent with visitation. Skillern testified that they attended seven visits between the tw o of them o ver the
seventeen months of the case. Both parents were offered more than ten visits after the failed monitored returned; however, C.P. attended one and M.A. attended two. Skillern testified that the children are doing well in their current foster plac ement, where they have been since the failed monitored return

. She further testified that the foster parents wish to adopt the child ren
. As discussed above, the evidence reflected that M.A. and C.P. engaged in domestic violence around the children and were unable to locate their children following M.A.’s hospitalization in Galveston. Under their supervision, G.A. suffered cigarette b urns , which took more than one month to heal. And the couple was reportedly responsible for the death of an other child. F ollowing the failed monitored return, C.P. told Skillern that the children should have never been returned to them. The evidence als o showed that M.A. and C.P. completed some of their court

- ordered services. However, they did not complete all of them. A nd they failed to engage with the Department near the end of the case. After viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the tria l court ’ s best interest finding and applying the statutory and Holley factors, we conclude that a reasonable trier of f act could have formed a firm belief or conviction that termination of M.A.’s and C.P.’s parental rights was in the be st interest of t he c hildren. See T EX

. F AM

. C ODE A NN . § 161.001(b)(2); In re J.F.C. , 96 S.W.3d at 266 ; see also In re W.S.M. , 107 S.W.3d 772, 773 (Tex. App.

— Texarkana 2003, no pet.) (overwhelming and undisputed evidence of endangerment sufficient to support best interest f inding). Accordingly, we overrule C.P.’s and M.A.’s sixth issue regarding best interest.12 D ISPOSITION Having overruled M.A. ’s and C.P.’s first, second, third, and sixth issues, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

G REG N EELEY Justice Opinion delive red September 30, 2022. Panel consisted of Worthen, C.J., Hoyle, J., and Neeley, J.13 

## COURT OF APPEALS
TWELFTH COURT OF APPEALS DISTRICT OF TEXAS
JUDGMENT

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022

NO. 12-22-00183- CV

IN THE INTEREST O F D. A. AND G. A., CHILDREN
Appeal from the 420th District Court of Nacogdoches County, Texas (Tr.Ct.No. C2035984) THIS CAUSE came to be heard on the appellate record and briefs filed herein, and the same being considered, it is the opinion of this court that there was no error in the judgment. It is therefore ORDERED, ADJUDGED and DECR EED that the judgment of the cou rt below be in all things affirmed , and that this decision be certified to the court below for observance. Gre g Neeley , Justice. Panel cons isted of Worthen, C.J., Hoyle, J., and Neeley, J.