Court Opinion

ID: 2856664
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-09-04 19:11:49.951319+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T10:42:03.696001
License: Public Domain

COURT OF APPEALS
                          SECOND DISTRICT OF TEXAS
                               FORT WORTH

                               NO. 2-08-047-CV

IN THE INTEREST OF V.S.R.K., A CHILD

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           FROM THE 323RD DISTRICT COURT OF TARRANT COUNTY

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                         MEMORANDUM OPINION 1

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I.    Introduction

      Appellant Johnny D., the alleged biological father of V.S.R.K., appeals the

trial court’s order terminating the parent-child relationship between himself and

V.S.R.K. Following a bench trial, the trial court found that Appellant failed to

assert paternity in accordance with family code section 161.002; that Appellant

knowingly placed or knowingly allowed V.S.R.K. to remain in conditions that

endangered her well-being; that Appellant engaged in conduct or knowingly

      1
          … See Tex. R. App. P. 47.4.
placed V.S.R.K. with persons who engaged in conduct that endangered her

well-being; and that Appellant constructively abandoned V.S.R.K.         In four

issues, Appellant challenges the legal and factual sufficiency of the evidence

supporting each of these findings. We affirm in part, reverse and render in part,

and remand for further proceedings.

II.   The Children, Parents, and Trial

      Chessica K. is the biological mother of ten-year-old V.S.R.K. and her two

half-sisters, S.S. and F.L.S. (ages eight and six, respectively).   Appellant is

V.S.R.K.’s alleged biological father. Tracy S. is S.S. and F.L.S.’s biological

father.    This appeal concerns only the relationship between Appellant and

V.S.R.K.

      In August 2006, Chessica and her sister referred the children to the

Department of Family and Protective Services (“the Department”) because they

both felt they were incapable of caring for the children.      The children are

currently in a foster home. The Department initiated termination proceedings

against Chessica, Appellant, and Tracy. The case was tried to the bench on

January 16, 2007.

                                         2
      A.     Chessica

      Chessica did not attend the trial.         Bethany Hooser, a Department

investigator, testified that Chessica had referred the children to the Department

because “she did not feel she was capable of caring for the children. . . . She

didn’t have a place to live, she had some health concerns, she had some mental

health issues, some past drug issues.        Finances were a concern for her.”

Jeannette Leong, a Department specialist, testified that Chessica’s contacts

with the Department concerning the children were infrequent and that the

content of her communications with the Department was that she desired to

relinquish her rights to the three children. In its order, the trial court found that

Chessica had constructively abandoned the three children and that termination

was in their best interests.

      B.     Tracy

      Tracy testified at trial.   He stated that although he is not V.S.R.K.’s

biological father, she “started calling me Daddy within around 2000 and she’s

called me Daddy ever since.”         He testified that he had previously been

incarcerated for a probation violation relating to four charges of battery to a

household member.       Tracy also said that he had two prior convictions for

possession of marihuana. He stated that he had been fired from his last job

                                         3
because drugs were found in his work truck. Tracy said that he currently lived

in his truck.

      Hooser testified that there were concerns over placing the three children

with Tracy because “the children had previously lived with [Tracy], and there

were concerns that he had been physically abusive and that he had used drugs

and was not able to provide what would be considered a safe home for the

children.”   The record indicates that there were also allegations Tracy had

sexually abused S.S. Leong testified that Tracy had been in and out of drug

treatment for methamphetamines, that he was unemployed, and that he did not

have a place to live.       After the majority of testimony concerning Tracy

concluded, Tracy submitted affidavits relinquishing his parental rights to S.S.

and F.L.S. The trial court accepted the affidavits.

      C.        Appellant

      Appellant is incarcerated and is serving an eight-year sentence for evading

arrest. The Department alleged that Appellant is V.S.R.K.’s biological father.

Appellant filed a general denial and a request for appointment of counsel, in

which he stated, “I am the parent of the child named above [V.S.R.K.].” The

Department developed a service plan for Appellant, calling for Appellant to

complete a number of services “upon his release.”          V.S.R.K.’s ad litem

                                       4
requested DNA testing to determine whether Appellant was V.S.R.K.’s father,

but the test results were not available at the time of trial. 2

      The reporter’s record contains surprisingly little information about

Appellant. Wendy Hackler, Appellant’s appointed attorney, informed the trial

judge that Appellant would not attend the trial because he was incarcerated.

She also stated that she had filed a motion for continuance and a motion for

severance because Appellant had not received DNA results showing whether

he was V.S.R.K.’s biological father. The trial court denied the motion. When

asked about Appellant, Tracy testified, “I’ve never seen him, never met him.”

Hooser’s testimony regarding Appellant was that Chessica had informed her

that Appellant was V.S.R.K.’s biological father and that he was incarcerated.

Shana Hazzard, the foster home director for the home where the children

currently live, testified that she had not had any contact with Appellant.

      The most extensive testimony concerning Appellant came from Leong.

Leong testified that she had spoken with Appellant’s brother about placing the

children with him, but he was willing to take only V.S.R.K., and the Department

felt it was important to keep the three children together. She said that she had

      2
       … In Appellant’s brief, his counsel states that he has been advised by the
Department’s counsel that the DNA test shows that Appellant is V.S.R.K.’s
biological father.

                                         5
corresponded with Appellant via letters. She testified that she had set up a

service plan for Appellant, that he had been incarcerated the entire time the

children have been with the Department, and that she had kept him apprised

of the case. She stated that Appellant had “not sent me any certificates or any

notification of completion of services” regarding the service plan and that

Appellant had not seen V.S.R.K. “face-to-face” during the time the children had

been referred to the Department and trial.      She did say, however, that the

“facility he was in . . . would not allow a conference call with the Child

Advocate and myself and [Appellant].” When asked whether he could provide

a safe place for V.S.R.K., she replied, “I have no knowledge of what he can

provide.” She also said that she was unaware of his release date. She also

testified that Appellant should have rights to V.S.R.K., but she did not

elaborate. She stated that V.S.R.K. referred to Tracy as her dad, not Appellant.

She said that she believed V.S.R.K. was aware of Appellant because “I think

. . . her mother has told her that [Appellant is] her biological father.”

      The Department offered exhibits showing that Appellant has two

convictions for evading arrest and is currently three years into an eight-year

sentence on the second conviction.

                                        6
      D.    DNA Testing

      Leong testified that conversations with Appellant concerning DNA testing

had been “going on for quite some time” prior to trial. She said that DNA

testing had been ordered by the court. But when asked why Appellant had not

been tested previously and why the results were still not available, she said,

      Well, the DNA test for [V.S.R.K.] occurred in November because I
      took her down for the test and she was tested, and in my follow-
      ups with the liaison for the Attorney General’s office, evidently
      they misunderstood where [Appellant] was, because they had sent
      me an e-mail saying he was a no-show for his test, and I had it
      very clearly stated the location of the prison facility that he’s at,
      and they immediately came back and said yes, and that’s when
      they were scheduling him for testing, because I took [V.S.R.K.] in
      November to be tested.

Leong also said that Appellant had been tested ten days prior to trial, that the

results were not yet available, and that the delay in getting Appellant tested

was “a mistake.” She testified that there had been a report that Chessica’s

brother might actually be V.S.R.K.’s biological father. But Leong testified that

Chessica had named Appellant as V.S.R.K.’s alleged biological father.

      E.    The Trial Court’s Decision

      During the course of the trial, the trial court took judicial notice of a

“Certificate of Paternity Registry” that was on file with the court indicating that

a diligent search of the paternity registry had been made and that no notice of

intent to claim paternity had been located pertaining to V.S.R.K. In its order of

                                         7
termination, the trial court found that Appellant is V.S.R.K.’s alleged biological

father and that he had failed to assert paternity. As grounds for termination,

the trial court found that Appellant knowingly placed or knowingly allowed

V.S.R.K. to remain in conditions that endangered her physical and emotional

well-being; engaged in conduct or knowingly placed her with persons who

engaged in conduct that endangered her physical or emotional well-being; and

constructively abandoned her. The trial court further found that termination

was in V.S.R.K.’s best interest and terminated Appellant’s rights.

III.   Discussion

       A.    Admission of Paternity

       In his first issue, Appellant argues that the trial court erred by finding that

he failed to admit paternity under chapter 160 of the Texas Family Code. We

agree.3

       Section 161.002(b)(1) of the family code provides that “[t]he rights of an

alleged father may be terminated if . . . after being served with citation, he does

not respond by timely filing an admission of paternity or a counterclaim for

       3
        … In its brief, the Department represents that Appellant concedes in his
brief that he did not make an admission of paternity. In fact, Appellant merely
conceded that he did not file an assertion of paternity with the paternity
registry. The Department also represents that Appellant “refused” to admit
paternity, but as we discuss below, this representation is not supported by the
record.

                                          8
paternity under Chapter 160.” Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 161.002(b)(1) (Vernon

2008).    Subsection 161.002(b)(1) allows the Department to summarily

terminate the rights of an alleged biological father who does not assert his

paternity. Phillips v. Tex. Dep’t of Protective & Regulatory Servs., 25 S.W.3d
348, 357 (Tex. App.—Austin 2000, no pet.). However, if the alleged father

files an admission of paternity or otherwise claims paternity, then the alleged

father is able to stave off summary termination of his rights, and the

Department must instead meet the high burden of proof found in section

161.001. Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 161.002(a); Phillips, 25 S.W.3d at 357.

      This court has held that there are no formalities that must be observed for

an admission of paternity to be effective. In re K.W., 138 S.W.3d 420, 430

(Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2004, pet. denied); see also Toliver v. Tex. Dep’t of

Family & Protective Servs., 217 S.W.3d 85, 105 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st

Dist.] 2006, no pet.); Estes v. Dallas County Child Welfare Unit of Tex. Dep’t

of Human Servs., 773 S.W.2d 800, 802 (Tex. App.—Dallas 1989, writ denied);

In re D.D.S., No. 02-05-00313-CV, 2006 WL 2309813, at *2 (Tex. App.—Fort

Worth Aug. 10, 2006, no pet.) (mem. op.).

      In K.W., the alleged father desired to prove his paternity, and this court

held that letters written to the trial court stating he was the child’s father alone

                                         9
were sufficient to constitute an admission of paternity under this section. 138
S.W.3d at 430.

      Similarly, in Estes, which was decided under a former but substantively

similar statute, the State filed a petition to terminate the parental rights of a

father who was in prison. 773 S.W.2d at 801. Two weeks before the final

termination hearing, the father filed a pro se answer, alleging that he was an

indigent parent and requesting the appointment of an attorney. Id. The court

stated that “[t]here is no provision in the Texas Family Code that specifies any

particular form or language required for an admission of paternity.” Id. The

court noted that “the natural rights existing between a parent and child are of

constitutional dimensions” and that “involuntary termination proceedings must

be strictly scrutinized.” Id. at 802 (citing Holick v. Smith, 685 S.W.2d 18, 20

(Tex. 1985)).    The court, applying strict scrutiny, stated that the father’s

answer constituted an admission of paternity and that the answer “was timely

filed since it was filed prior to the final hearing in the suit for termination.” Id.

      The court in Toliver, also applying strict scrutiny to section 161.002, held

that despite the alleged father having failed to file any documents with the trial

court, his appearing at trial before his rights were terminated and admitting that

he was in fact the child’s father, triggered his right to require the Department

                                         10
to prove that he engaged in one of the types of conduct listed in section

161.001(1). 217 S.W.3d at 105.

      In this case, Appellant has filed a general denial, claimed indigence, and

filled out a form requesting counsel stating that he is the father of V.S.R.K. He

has also asked to be tested to determine whether he is V.S.R.K.’s biological

father.

      The Department argues that “in his pleadings and argument at trial,

Appellant repeatedly asserted he questioned” his paternity.           Thus, the

Department argues, he could not have admitted paternity for purposes of

161.002. We are not persuaded by this argument. Appellant filed a motion for

continuance asking the trial court to await the results of DNA testing to

establish his paternity. The record indicates that the DNA results had been

delayed due to “mistake[s]” by the State, not Appellant. More importantly, the

record indicates that Appellant admitted paternity in manners that even the

Department concedes this court has recognized as admissions of paternity

under 161.002.

      Because we are required to strictly construe involuntary termination

statutes in favor of the parent, we conclude that Appellant admitted his

paternity of V.S.R.K. for purposes of section 161.002(b)(1). See In re E.M.N.,

221 S.W.3d 815, 820 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2007, no pet.); see also Holick,

                                       11
685 S.W.2d at 18, 20–21. Therefore, the Department was not entitled to

summary termination of Appellant’s parental rights under family code section

161.002(b)(1), and we will review the trial court’s findings on the grounds for

termination.

      B.       Grounds For Termination

               1.     Standard of Review

      A    parent’s    rights   to   “the   companionship,    care,   custody,   and

management” of his or her children are constitutional interests “far more

precious than any property right.”           Santosky v. Kramer, 455 U.S. 745,

758–59, 102 S. Ct. 1388, 1397 (1982); In re M.S., 115 S.W.3d 534, 547

(Tex. 2003). In a termination case, the State seeks not just to limit parental

rights but to end them permanently—to divest the parent and child of all legal

rights, privileges, duties, and powers normally existing between them, except

for the child’s right to inherit. Tex. Fam. Code. Ann. § 161.206(b) (Vernon

2008); Holick, 685 S.W.2d at 20.                 We strictly scrutinize termination

proceedings and strictly construe involuntary termination statutes in favor of

the parent. Holick, 685 S.W.2d at 20–21; E.M.N., 221 S.W.3d at 820.

      In proceedings to terminate the parent-child relationship brought under

section 161.001 of the family code, the petitioner must establish one ground

listed under subdivision (1) of the statute and must also prove that termination

                                            12
is in the best interest of the child. Tex. Fam. Code. Ann. § 161.001 (Vernon

2008); In re J.L., 163 S.W.3d 79, 84 (Tex. 2005). Both elements must be

established; termination may not be based solely on the best interest of the

child as determined by the trier of fact. Tex. Dep’t of Human Servs. v. Boyd,

727 S.W.2d 531, 533 (Tex. 1987).

      Termination of parental rights is a drastic remedy and is of such weight

and gravity that due process requires the petitioner to justify termination by

clear and convincing evidence.         Tex. Fam. Code. Ann. §§ 161.001,

161.206(a); In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d 256, 263 (Tex. 2002). This intermediate

standard falls between the preponderance standard of ordinary civil proceedings

and the reasonable doubt standard of criminal proceedings. In re G.M., 596
S.W.2d 846, 847 (Tex. 1980); In re C.S., 208 S.W.3d 77, 83 (Tex. App.—Fort

Worth 2006, pet. denied). It is defined as 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.”       Tex. Fam. Code Ann.

§ 101.007 (Vernon 2002).

      In reviewing the evidence for legal sufficiency in parental termination

cases, we must determine whether the evidence is such that a factfinder could

reasonably form a firm belief or conviction that the grounds for termination

were proven.    In re J.P.B., 180 S.W.3d 570, 573 (Tex. 2005).           We must

                                        13
review all the evidence in the light most favorable to the finding and judgment.

Id. This means that we must assume that the factfinder resolved any disputed

facts in favor of its finding if a reasonable factfinder could have done so. Id.

We must also disregard all evidence that a reasonable factfinder could have

disbelieved. Id. We must consider, however, undisputed evidence even if it is

contrary to the finding. Id. That is, we must consider evidence favorable to

termination if a reasonable factfinder could and disregard contrary evidence

unless a reasonable factfinder could not. Id.

      We must therefore consider all of the evidence, not just that which favors

the verdict. Id. But we cannot weigh witness credibility issues that depend on

the appearance and demeanor of the witnesses, for that is the factfinder’s

province. Id. at 573, 574. And even when credibility issues appear in the

appellate record, we must defer to the factfinder’s determinations as long as

they are not unreasonable. Id. at 573.

      If we determine that no reasonable factfinder could form a firm belief or

conviction that the grounds for termination were proven, then the evidence is

legally insufficient, and we must generally render judgment for the parent.

J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d at 266; see Tex. R. App. P. 43.3.

      In reviewing the evidence for factual sufficiency, we must give due

deference to the factfinder’s findings and not supplant the judgment with our

                                      14
own. In re H.R.M., 209 S.W.3d 105, 108 (Tex. 2006). We must determine

whether, on the entire record, a factfinder could reasonably form a firm

conviction or belief that the parent violated the relevant conduct provision of

section 161.001(1) and that the termination of the parent’s parental rights

would be in the best interest of the child. In re C.H., 89 S.W.3d 17, 28 (Tex.

2002). If, in light of the entire record, the disputed evidence that a reasonable

factfinder could not have credited in favor of the finding is so significant that

a factfinder could not reasonably have formed a firm belief or conviction in the

truth of its finding, then the evidence is factually insufficient. H.R.M., 209
S.W.3d at 108. If we reverse on factual sufficiency grounds, then we must

detail in our opinion why we have concluded that a reasonable factfinder could

not have credited disputed evidence in favor of its finding. J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d

at 266–67.

             2.   Endangering Conduct

      In his second issue, Appellant argues that the evidence is legally and

factually insufficient to support the trial court’s finding that he engaged in

conduct or knowingly placed V.S.R.K. with persons who engaged in conduct

that endangered her physical or emotional well-being. See Tex. Fam. Code

Ann. § 161.001(1)(E). We agree.

                                       15
      Under subsection (E), the relevant inquiry is whether evidence exists that

the endangerment of the child’s well-being was the direct result of the parent’s

conduct, including acts, omissions, or failures to act. In re R.D., 955 S.W.2d
364, 368 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 1997, pet. denied); Dupree v. Tex. Dep’t

of Protective & Regulatory Servs., 907 S.W.2d 81, 83–84 (Tex. App.—Dallas

1995, no writ). Termination under section 161.001(1)(E) must be based on

more than a single act or omission; a voluntary, deliberate, and conscious

course of conduct by the parent is required. Tex. Fam. Code Ann.

§ 161.001(1)(E); In re D.T., 34 S.W.3d 625, 634 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth

2000, pet. denied); In re K.M.M., 993 S.W.2d 225, 228 (Tex. App.—Eastland

1999, no pet.).

      Endangerment, as that term is used in the statute, means to expose to

loss or injury, to jeopardize. Boyd, 727 S.W.2d at 533; see also In re M.C.,

917 S.W.2d 268, 269 (Tex. 1996). Although endangerment requires more

than a mere threat of metaphysical injury or the possible ill effects of a

less-than-ideal family environment, it is not necessary that the parent’s conduct

be directed at the child or that the child actually suffer injury.   Boyd, 727
S.W.2d at 533. The specific danger to the child’s well-being may be inferred

from parental misconduct standing alone. Id.; In re R.W., 129 S.W.3d 732,

738 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2004, pet. denied).

                                       16
      Nonetheless, the evidence of endangerment must be the “direct result of

the parent’s conduct.”     In re D.T., 34 S.W.3d at 634.          The fact of

“imprisonment will not, standing alone, constitute engaging in conduct which

endangers the emotional or physical well-being of a child.” Boyd, 727 S.W.2d

at 533 (but noting that “imprisonment is certainly a factor to be considered by

the trial court on the issue of endangerment”).     Furthermore, to determine

whether termination is necessary, courts look to parental conduct engaged in

both before and after the child’s birth. In re D.M., 58 S.W.3d 801, 812 (Tex.

App.—Fort Worth 2001, no pet.).

      In this case, there is no evidence that Appellant engaged in conduct or

knowingly placed V.S.R.K. with persons who engaged in conduct that

endangered her physical or emotional well-being. In its brief to this court, the

Department points out that Appellant has two prior convictions for evading

arrest—one for which he is now incarcerated. The Department also points out

that Appellant has not seen V.S.R.K. since she was ten months old. But then

the Department focuses the majority of its analysis on Chessica’s and Tracy’s

endangering conduct. The Department fails to show how the endangerment

was the “direct result of” Appellant’s conduct or that Appellant knew that

Chessica and Tracy engaged in endangering conduct.         See In re D.T., 34
S.W.3d at 634.

                                      17
      We conclude that the trial court could not have reasonably formed a firm

belief or conviction that Appellant—as a direct result of his actions—engaged

in a voluntary, deliberate, and conscious course of conduct or knowingly placed

V.S.R.K. with persons who engaged in conduct that endangered her physical

or emotional well-being. See Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 161.001(1)(E); In re D.T.,
34 S.W.3d at 634. We sustain Appellant’s second issue.

            3.     Endangering Environment

      In his third issue, Appellant contends that the evidence presented at trial

was legally and factually insufficient to support the trial court’s endangering-

environment finding. See Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 161.001(1)(D). We agree.

      The trial court may order termination of the parent-child relationship if it

finds by clear and convincing evidence that the parent has knowingly placed or

knowingly allowed the child to remain in conditions or surroundings that

endanger the physical or emotional well-being of the child.            Id.   Under

subsection (D), it is necessary to examine evidence relating to the environment

of the child to determine if the environment was the source of endangerment

to the child’s physical or emotional well-being. In re J.T.G., 121 S.W.3d 117,

125 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2003, no pet.).            The phrase “conditions or

surroundings” refers only to the acceptability of the child’s living conditions and

does not concern the parent’s conduct toward the child. In re D.J.J., 178

                                        18
S.W.3d 424, 429 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2005, no pet.). The Department

must show that the child’s living conditions pose a real threat of injury or harm.

In re C.L.C., 119 S.W.3d 382, 392 (Tex. App.—Tyler 2003, no pet.). Although

the parent need not have certain knowledge that an actual injury is occurring,

there must be evidence that the parent was at least aware of the potential for

danger to the child and disregarded that risk. Id.

      In this case, there is simply no evidence that Appellant knowingly placed

or knowingly allowed V.S.R.K. to remain in conditions or surroundings that

endangered her physical or emotional well-being. There is no evidence that

Appellant was aware of a potential for danger to V.S.R.K. and disregarded that

risk. There is some evidence that Chessica and Tracy’s home was a dangerous

environment, but the record is devoid of evidence tending to show that

Appellant knew anything about their home or its conditions. In the absence of

endangering-environment evidence, the Department once again falls back on the

fact of Appellant’s incarceration, but incarceration alone is insufficient to

support termination under subsection (D). See In re S.M.L., 171 S.W.3d 472,

478–79 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2005, no pet.).

      We hold that the trial court could not have reasonably formed a firm belief

or conviction that Appellant knowingly placed or knowingly allowed V.S.R.K.

to remain in conditions or surroundings that endangered her physical or

                                       19
emotional well-being. See Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 161.001(1)(D); S.M.L., 171
S.W.3d at 478. We sustain Appellant’s third point.

            4.    Constructive Abandonment

      In his fourth issue, Appellant argues that the evidence is legally and

factually insufficient to support the trial court’s finding that he constructively

abandoned V.S.R.K. See Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 161.001(1)(N). We agree.

      The elements of constructive abandonment are (1) the child has been in

the permanent or temporary managing conservatorship of the Department for

not less than six months, (2) the Department has made reasonable efforts to

return the child to the parent, (3) the parent has not regularly visited or

maintained significant contact with the child, and (4) the parent has

demonstrated an inability to provide the child with a safe environment. Id. If

there is no evidence of one or more of these elements, then the finding of

constructive abandonment fails. See id. The first element is not disputed;

therefore, we will focus on the remaining three elements of constructive

abandonment.

      Returning a child to a parent, under section161.001(1)(N), does not

necessarily mean that the child has to be physically delivered to the individual.

See In re D.S.A., 113 S.W.3d 567, 573 (Tex. App.—Amarillo 2003, no pet.).

“Reasonable efforts” to reunite parent and child can be satisfied through the

                                       20
preparation and administration of service plans.      See id. at 570–72; In re

K.M.B., 91 S.W.3d 18, 25 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2002, no pet.).

      In this case, Leong testified that she had set up a service plan for

Appellant but also testified that Appellant had not sent any certificates or any

notification of completion of services. Leong did not elaborate on the details

of the service plan and what was entailed. Leong did state, however, that the

“facility [Appellant] was in . . . would not allow a conference call” between her

and Appellant. Appellant’s service plan required him to complete services but

not until his release from prison. There is nothing in the record to indicate that

Appellant failed to cooperate with the Department. In fact, there is evidence

that the Department’s attempts to communicate with Appellant were thwarted

by the facility where he was incarcerated and that Appellant’s attempts to

determine his paternity where thwarted by mistakes by the Department. While

there is no evidence in the record that Appellant made any attempts to visit

V.S.R.K., or to arrange visitation, there is also no evidence that he failed to

make any such attempts. We hold that no reasonable factfinder could form a

firm belief or conviction that the Department has made reasonable efforts to

return V.S.R.K. to Appellant. See J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d at 265–66.

      There is also no evidence to establish the third element of constructive

abandonment. To the contrary, there is evidence in this case that Appellant

                                       21
sent letters to the caseworker concerning V.S.R.K. and that he has

corresponded with both the Department and the Child Advocate. There is also

evidence in the record that the Department’s attempts to communicate fully

with Appellant were thwarted by the facility where he is incarcerated. The

record does not support the trial court’s finding that Appellant did not attempt

to visit regularly or maintain significant contact with V.S.R.K.             What the

evidence in the record supports is that Appellant is incarcerated. We reiterate

that   incarceration,   alone,   will   not   support   a   finding   of   constructive

abandonment. See K.W., 138 S.W.3d at 432.

       Turning to the last element, nothing in the record indicates that Appellant

has demonstrated an inability to provide V.S.R.K. with a safe environment. In

fact, when questioned about Appellant’s ability to provide V.S.R.K. with a safe

environment, Leong testified, “I have no knowledge of what [Appellant] can

provide.” Construing the evidence in the light most favorable to the trial court’s

judgment, we hold there is no evidence from which a factfinder could

reasonably form a firm belief or conviction that Appellant constructively

abandoned V.S.R.K. while she was in the care of the Department. See In re

K.W., 138 S.W.3d at 432. We sustain Appellant’s fourth issue.

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IV.   Conclusion

      Having sustained each of Appellant’s issues, we reverse the portion of

the trial court’s order that terminates Appellant’s parental rights, render

judgment that the Department take nothing on its claim seeking to terminate

Appellant’s alleged parental rights, and affirm the remainder of the trial court’s

order.4 We remand this case to the trial court for further proceedings in light

of the results of Appellant’s DNA paternity test and, if appropriate, consistent

with the establishment of the parent-child relationship between Appellant and

V.S.R.K.

                                            ANNE GARDNER
                                            JUSTICE

PANEL: CAYCE, C.J.; LIVINGSTON and GARDNER, JJ.

CAYCE, C.J. concurs without opinion.

DELIVERED: March 19, 2009

      4
      … Appellant does not challenge the portion of the trial court’s order
appointing the Department as permanent managing conservator of V.S.R.K.

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