Fourth Court of Appeals

San Antonio, Texas

MEMORANDUM OPINION

No. 04-18-00264-CV

IN THE INTEREST OF N.M.H., J.K.H., and J.J.W., Children

From the 37th Judicial District Court, Bexar County, Texas

Trial Court No. 2016PA02357

John D. Gabriel Jr., Judge Presiding1

Opinion by: Marialyn Barnard, Justice

Sitting: Sandee Bryan Marion, Chief Justice

Karen Angelini, Justice

Marialyn Barnard, Justice

Delivered and Filed: August 22, 2018

AFFIRMED

Appellant mother (“Mother”) appeals the trial court’s order terminating her parental rights 

to her children, N.M.H., J.K.H. and J.J.W.2 On appeal, Mother contends the evidence is legally 

and factually insufficient to support the trial court’s finding that termination of her parental rights 

is in the best interest of her children. We affirm the trial court’s order of termination. 

BACKGROUND

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (the “Department”) became 

involved with the family after Mother posted a video to Facebook showing herself and a cousin in 

 1 The Honorable Michael E. Mery is the presiding judge of the 37th Judicial District Court, Bexar County Texas. The 

Honorable John D. Gabriel Jr., retired, was sitting by assignment and signed the termination order at issue in this 

appeal. 

2 The trial court also terminated the parental rights of J.J.W.’s father and the unknown father of N.M.H. and J.K.H. 

However, neither father filed a notice of appeal challenging the trial court’s termination order. Accordingly, they are 

not parties to this appeal.
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a car smoking marijuana and drinking while N.M.H., J.K.H., and J.J.W. were in the back seat. At 

the time the Department investigation began, N.M.H. and J.K.H were fifteen months old and J.J.W. 

was three months old.3

 

The children were removed and placed with a foster family. The children remained with 

the foster family during the course of the investigation. After the removal, the Department created 

a service plan for Mother, requiring her to: (1) complete a drug assessment; (2) complete individual 

therapy; (3) complete a psychological evaluation and follow all recommendations based on the 

evaluation; (4) submit to all random drug tests; (5) maintain legal, verifiable employment and 

provide check stubs proving employment; (5) complete a parenting course; and (6) maintain safe, 

stable housing. The service plan goals required that Mother demonstrate a willingness and ability 

to protect her children, manage her anger, appropriately cope with daily stresses, and place the 

needs of her children before her own. Mother completed the mandated drug assessment and 

recommended outpatient drug treatment. She also completed individual therapy, a psychological 

evaluation, and a parenting course. However, Mother failed to comply with certain portions of her 

service plan. More specifically, Mother failed to follow recommendations made as a result of her 

psychiatric evaluation, did not provide proof of safe housing, failed to submit to some of the 

requested drug tests, tested positive for marijuana at her last random drug test — which was taken 

a week prior to trial, and provided only one employment paystub over the course of a year and a 

half. Ultimately, the Department filed a petition to terminate Mother’s parental rights. 

At the final hearing, the Department presented evidence in support of its petition seeking 

to terminate Mother’s parental rights. The Department caseworker, Alkeshia Daniels, testified the 

Department’s primary concerns with Mother were her continued drug use and her failure to comply 

 3 N.M.H., J.K.H., and J.J.W. are Mother’s three youngest children. There is evidence in the record to suggest Mother 

lost custody of her three older children. 
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with her psychiatrist’s recommendations with regard to medication to treat her bipolar disorder. 

Ms. Daniels also stated the Department had considered returning the children to Mother, but 

decided against it after Mother was arrested for possession of marijuana and then later tested 

positive for marijuana use. Ms. Daniels opined it was in the best interests of the children for 

Mother’s parental rights to be terminated. 

The children’s foster father also testified. He advised the court that the children were 

developmentally behind when they first came to live with his family. However, since the 

placement, they have shown great improvement and are now doing very well. He also stated he 

and his wife desire to adopt the children if Mother’s parental rights are terminated. 

Mother also testified, along with a one of her friends, Courtland. Both testified that 

although Mother had made poor decisions in the past, she had learned from her mistakes and 

desired and deserved to have her children returned. 

At the conclusion of the hearing, the trial court terminated Mother’s parental rights finding 

she: (1) failed to support her children in accordance with her ability; (2) failed to comply with the 

provisions of a court order that specifically established the actions necessary for her to obtain the 

return of the children; and (3) used a controlled substance in a manner that endangered the health 

or safety of her children and continued to use a controlled substance after completing a courtordered substance abuse treatment program. See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 161.001(b)(1)(F), (O), 

(P) (West Supp. 2017). The trial court further found termination of Mother’s parental rights would 

be in the best interests of the children. See id. § 161.001(b)(2). Based on its findings, the trial 

court rendered an order terminating Mother’s parental rights. Thereafter, Mother timely perfected 

this appeal. 
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ANALYSIS

On appeal, Mother does not challenge the evidence regarding the trial court’s findings 

under section 161.001(b)(1) of the Texas Family Code (“the Code”). See id. § 161.001(b)(1)(F), 

(O), (P). Rather, Mother contends the evidence is legally and factually insufficient to support the 

trial court’s finding that termination of her parental rights was in her children’s best interests. See 

id. § 161.001(b)(2). According to Mother, the State ignored many of the Holley factors when 

presenting its case. See Holley v. Adams, 544 S.W.2d 367, 371–72 (Tex. 1976). Mother states she 

has a strong bond with her children, never used drugs in the children’s presence, never abused or 

neglected the children, and has a job and safe housing. Therefore, she argues, it is in the best 

interests of the children to return them to her. 

Standard of Review

A trial court may terminate a parent’s rights to her children only if it finds by clear and 

convincing evidence that the parent committed an act prohibited by section 161.001(b)(1) of the 

Code and termination is in the best interests of the children. See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN.

§ 161.001(b)(1), (b)(2). “Clear and convincing evidence” is defined as “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.” Id. § 101.007. Courts require this heightened standard of review because 

termination of a parent’s right to her children results in permanent and severe changes for both the 

parent and children, thus, implicating due process concerns. See In re A.B., 437 S.W.3d 498, 502 

(Tex. 2014). 

When reviewing the legal and factual sufficiency of the evidence, we apply the wellestablished standards of review. See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. §§ 101.007, 161.206(a); In re J.P.B., 

180 S.W.3d 570, 573 (Tex. 2005) (legal sufficiency); In re H.R.M., 209 S.W.3d 105, 108 (Tex. 

2006) (factual sufficiency). In sum, an appellate court must determine whether the evidence is 
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such that a trier of fact could reasonably form a firm belief or conviction that termination of 

parental rights was in the child’s best interest. In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d 256, 263 (Tex. 2002). 

In conducting a sufficiency review, we may not weigh a witness’s credibility because it 

depends on appearance and demeanor, and these are within the domain of the trier of fact. In re

J.P.B., 180 S.W.3d at 573. Even when such issues are found in the appellate record, we must refer 

to the fact finder’s reasonable resolutions. Id. 

Best Interests — Applicable Law

In a best interest analysis, we apply the non-exhaustive Holley factors. See Holley, 544 

S.W.2d at 371–72. In analyzing the evidence within the Holley framework, we note that evidence 

of each Holley factor is not required before a court may find that termination is in a child’s best 

interest. In re C.H., 89 S.W.3d 17, 27 (Tex. 2002). In other words, and contrary to Mother’s 

argument in this case, the absence of evidence as to some of the Holley factors does not preclude 

a fact finder from reasonably forming a strong conviction or belief that termination is in the child’s 

best interest. See id. Moreover, in conducting our review of a trial court’s best interest 

determination, we focus on whether termination is in the best interest of the child — not the best 

interest of the parent. In re D.M., 452 S.W.3d 462, 468–69 (Tex. App—San Antonio 2014, no 

pet.). 

In addition to the Holley factors, we recognize there is a strong presumption that keeping 

a child with a parent is in the child’s best interest. In re R.R., 209 S.W.3d 112, 116 (Tex. 2006). 

However, promptly and permanently placing a child in a safe environment is also presumed to be 

in the child’s best interest. TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 263.307(a). Thus, to determine whether a 

child’s parent is willing and able to provide the child with a safe environment, we also consider 

the factors set forth in section 263.307(b) of the Code. Id. § 263.307(b).
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Additionally, evidence that proves one or more statutory grounds for termination may be 

probative to prove termination is in the child’s best interest. In re C.H., 89 S.W.3d at 28 (holding 

same evidence may be probative of both section 161.001(1) grounds and best interest, but such 

evidence does not relieve the State of its burden to prove best interest). In conducting a best 

interest analysis, a court may consider not only direct evidence, but circumstantial evidence, 

subjective factors, and the totality of the evidence. In re E.D., 419 S.W.3d 615, 620 (Tex. App.—

San Antonio 2013, pet. denied). Finally, a trier of fact may measure a parent’s future conduct by 

her past conduct in determining whether termination of parental rights is in the child’s best interest. 

Id.

Application

As indicated above, the trial court heard testimony from four witnesses at the final hearing: 

Ms. Daniels — the Department caseworker, the foster father, Mother, and Mother’s friend, 

Courtland. The foster father testified the twins, N.M.H. and J.K.H., were approximately two and 

a half at the time of the final hearing; J.J.W., the youngest child, was one and a half years old. 

Thus, they are too young to express their desires with regard to conservatorship. See TEX. FAM.

CODE ANN. § 263.307(b)(1) (child’s age and physical and mental vulnerabilities); Holley, 544 

S.W.2d at 371–72. However, when a child is too young or unable to express his desires, a fact 

finder may consider that he has bonded with his foster family, is well cared for by them, and has 

spent minimal time with the parent. In re J.D., 436 S.W.3d 105, 118 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th 

Dist.] 2014, no pet.) (citing In re J.M., 156 S.W.3d 696, 706 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2005, no pet.)); 

In re U.P., 105 S.W.3d 222, 230 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2003, pet. denied). 

Mother, Ms. Daniels and the foster father all testified Mother had a bond with her children. 

However, Ms. Daniels stated that although Mother was permitted visitation with her children twice 

a month by court order, she did not attend all of the visits afforded to her. According to Ms. 
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Daniels, some of the reasons Mother gave for not attending visits were that she did not want to 

have to take the children with her to a housing appointment or on the bus with her. This concerned 

Ms. Daniels because it demonstrated Mother’s lack of ability to care for the children in everyday

situations. Ms. Daniels and the foster father both testified that following visits with Mother, the 

children were often returned hungry, tired, dirty, and without proper attire for the weather 

conditions. The foster father further stated the children seemed agitated after visits with Mother. 

On the other hand, the children are thriving in their foster home. The evidence shows the 

children are bonded with their foster family, including their foster parents and foster brothers. See 

In re J.D., 436 S.W.3d at 118; In re U.P., 105 S.W.3d at 230. The children have been with their 

foster family for more than half of their lives. Id. According to Ms. Daniels, the children see their 

foster parents as “mom” and “dad” and they are the ones the children turn to when they are hurt, 

crying, hungry, or sick. Ms. Daniels testified the children’s current placement meets their physical 

and emotional needs. Ms. Daniels also stated the children are comfortable and safe with their 

foster family and if Mother’s parental rights are terminated, she saw no reason they could not be 

placed permanently with the foster family. 

Ms. Daniels also testified that Mother has not provided monetary support for the children 

since she took over the case. See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 263.307(b)(12) (whether child’s family 

demonstrates adequate parenting skills); Holley, 544 S.W.2d at 371-72. Mother provided only one 

paycheck stub to the Department. The paycheck stub was for a call-center job she started months 

after the children were removed. Prior to that, Mother had been generally unemployed or failed 

to provide paycheck stubs for the few sporadic jobs she claimed to have. Mother claims she 

recently leased a new apartment, but was unable to provide a copy of the lease or any other form 

of proof that she was leasing the property. See Doyle v. Tex. Dep’t of Protective & Regulatory 

Servs., 16 S.W.3d 390, 398 (Tex. App.—El Paso, 2000, pet. denied) (holding that parent’s failure 
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to provide stable home and provide for child’s needs contributes to finding that termination of 

parental rights is in child’s best interest). This evidence demonstrates Mother’s inability to 

maintain a stable home and provide economically for the children. See Doyle, 16 S.W.3d at 398; 

In re M.R., 243 S.W.3d 807, 821 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2007, no pet.). On this basis, the trial 

court could have determined Mother lacks the abilities needed to parent her young children. See 

Holley, 544 S.W.2d at 371–72. 

With regard to emotional and physical danger to the children, there is evidence Mother 

engaged in substance abuse, has not followed her psychiatrist’s recommendations with regard to 

treating her bipolar disease, and has her phone number and photos posted on multiple escort 

websites. See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 263.307(b)(6) (results of psychiatric or psychological 

evaluations of child’s parents); id § 263.307(b)(8) (history of substance abuse by child’s family); 

id. § 263.307(b)(10) (willingness and ability of child’s family to accept and complete counseling 

services); id. § 263.307(b)(11) (willingness and ability of child’s family to effect positive 

environmental and personal change); Holley, 544 S.W.2d at 371–72. Although Mother completed 

outpatient drug treatment, she was subsequently arrested for marijuana possession and thereafter 

tested positive for marijuana during a random drug test just a week before the final hearing. See 

TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 263.307(b)(8); Holley, 544 S.W.2d at 371–72; In re L.R.G., 498 S.W.3d 

195, 204 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2016, pet. denied) (holding that parent’s drug use 

supports finding that termination is in child’s best interest); In re M.L.C., No. 04-17-00459-CV, 

2017 WL 6597828, at *5 (Tex. App.—San Antonio Dec. 27, 2017, pet. denied) (mem. op.) 

(holding parent’s criminal activities and history are relevant to best interest analysis). Moreover, 

the trial court could have reasonably determined that because of her drug use, Mother would be 

unable to properly care for her children. See In re J.M.T., 519 S.W.3d 258, 269 (Tex. App.—

Houston [1st Dist.] 2017, pet. denied) (stating parental drug use reflects poor judgement, which 
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demonstrates inability to provide adequate care for child); In re E.D., 419 S.W.3d at 620 

(highlighting that trial court may measure parent’s future conduct by past conduct when making 

best interest determination); see also TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 263.307(b)(12) (whether child’s 

family demonstrates adequate parenting skills). Thus, based on evidence of Mother’s drug use 

and inability to complete important aspects of her service plan, the trial court could have 

reasonably determined termination was in the best interest of the children. Id. 

Accordingly, after considering all the evidence in the light most favorable to the best 

interests finding, we conclude the trial court could have reasonably formed a firm belief or 

conviction that termination of Mother’s parental rights was in her children’s best interests. See In 

re J.P.B., 180 S.W.3d at 573; In re H.R.M., 209 S.W.3d at 108. Although Mother argues the 

Department failed to produce evidence as to each Holley factor, the law is clear that evidence of 

each Holley factor is not required before a court may find that termination is in a child’s best 

interest. See, e.g., In re C.H.L., No. 04-17-00525-CV, 2017 WL 6597827, at *5 (Tex. App.—San 

Antonio Dec. 27, 2017, no pet.) (mem. op.) (citing In re C.H., 89 S.W.3d at 27); In re M.L.C., 

2017 WL 6597828, at *3; In re S.J.R.-Z., 537 S.W.3d 677, 691 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2017, 

pet. denied) (“In fact, evidence of only one factor may be sufficient for a fact finder to reasonably 

form a firm belief or conviction that termination is in a child’s best interest.); see also In re C.H., 

89 S.W.3d at 27. 

In addition, Mother has not challenged the trial court’s findings that she: (1) failed to 

support her children in accordance with her ability; (2) failed to comply with the provisions of a 

court order that specifically established the actions necessary for her to obtain the return of her

children; and (3) used a controlled substance in a manner that endangered the health or safety of 

her children and continued to use a controlled substance after completing a court-ordered substance 

abuse treatment program. See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 161.001(b)(1)(F), (O), (P). Although not 
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dispositive, grounds for termination are nevertheless probative on the issue of best interest. In re

C.H., 89 S.W.3d at 28. We therefore hold the evidence is sufficient to support the trial court’s 

finding that termination of Mother’s parental rights was in the best interests of her children. 

CONCLUSION

Based on the foregoing, we overrule Mother’s sufficiency challenge. We affirm the trial 

court’s termination order.

Marialyn Barnard, Justice