Court Opinion

ID: 2854464
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-09-04 17:20:30.788046+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:13:14.785729
License: Public Domain

COURT OF APPEALS
                         SECOND DISTRICT OF TEXAS
                              FORT WORTH

                               NO. 2-07-170-CV

IN THE INTEREST OF M.C.T., A CHILD

                                    ------------

         FROM THE 158 TH DISTRICT COURT OF DENTON COUNTY

                                    ------------

                                   OPINION

                                    ------------

                                I. INTRODUCTION

      Appellant Tina A. appeals the termination of her parental rights to her

son, M.C.T. In three points, Appellant argues that the evidence is legally and

factually insufficient to support the termination order, that she was denied

effective assistance of counsel, and that family code section 263.405(i) violates

her right to due process. We will affirm.
                      II. F ACTUAL AND P ROCEDURAL B ACKGROUND

      M.C.T., Appellant’s biological son, is an emotionally disturbed and

educationally and developmentally delayed twelve-year-old boy. Appellant has

two other sons, J.T., who is sixteen, and N.T., who is older than M.C.T. but

younger than J.T. Johnnie T. is the alleged biological father of M.C.T., J.T.,

and N.T.1

      On or about January 25, 2006, police discovered M.C.T., who was ten

years old, wandering the streets after 11:00 p.m. Appellant was in Florida and

initially contended that she had left M.C.T. in the care of a person named

“Rick,” but later claimed to have left M.C.T. in his father’s care. Appellant’s

mother and sister refused to pick up M.C.T., and Appellant did not return from

Florida for a few days. Texas Department of Family and Protective Services

(“TDFPS”) removed M.C.T. from Appellant’s home and placed him with a foster

family. TDFPS returned M.C.T. to Appellant’s care in August 2006 but re-

removed him on November 9, 2006, and placed him with a second foster

family. Between November 2006 and late April 2007, the time of trial, M.C.T.

was admitted twice to the inpatient psychiatry unit at Cook Children’s Hospital.

M.C.T. was in Houston at a residential treatment center during trial.

      1
          Johnnie T. voluntarily relinquished his parental rights to M.C.T.

                                          2
      Rebecca Ash, a psychotherapist, testified that she began individual

counseling with Appellant at the end of March 2006 and counseled Appellant’s

family from August 2006 until TDFPS re-removed M.C.T. in November 2006.

Ash reasoned that J.T., N.T., and M.C.T. are “very” difficult to handle and

described Appellant’s family as “extremely dysfunctional” with a lot of chaos

and physical and verbal aggression among the family members.              M.C.T.

reported to Ash that J.T. and N.T. regularly “physically abuse[d]” him and that

Appellant never spent any time with him. Ash opined that M.C.T. did not feel

safe at home because of daily roughhousing between the boys and physical and

verbal aggression directed at M.C.T. by J.T. and N.T.         Nothing that Ash

observed in the counseling sessions indicated that Appellant exercised control

over the children, and Appellant denied there being a problem in protecting her

children from the abuse and minimized the problems faced by her children. Ash

concluded that Appellant’s home was not a safe environment for M.C.T.,

stating that she supported the termination of Appellant’s parental rights to

M.C.T., which she believes would be in M.C.T.’s best interest.

      Marvin Jones, a family therapist at Cook Children’s Hospital, testified that

M.C.T. had been admitted to the hospital because he was a danger to himself

and to others; M.C.T. pushed a foster sibling into a railing, ran away from his

foster home, and made statements that he wanted to harm himself. Jones

                                        3
testified that M.C.T. did not know his date or place of birth and that he

experienced difficulty with “sequence,” which was not normal for a child of his

age. He recounted that M.C.T. told him that Appellant abandoned him, that

Appellant went to Mexico relatively recently without him, that “he was pretty

much on his own” at home, that he did not feel safe at home with Appellant

and his brothers, and that M.C.T. and his brothers “were pretty well left to do

what they wanted to do.” Jones concluded that M.C.T. does, however, do

well in a structured and stable environment and that he needs “fairly intensive”

supervision, therapy, and educational development. He agreed that “it would

be a detriment to him if he did not get those things.” Jones opined that it is

not in M.C.T.’s best interest to return to an environment like he was in while

living with Appellant.

      Angela Batson, a licensed professional counselor, counseled M.C.T. after

TDFPS removed M.C.T. from Appellant’s home the second time. Batson agreed

that M.C.T. is “aggressive” and “destructive,” that his relationships “for the

most part are combative,” and that he requires “intense supervision.” M.C.T.

told Batson that there were no rules at home and that he could do whatever he

wanted to do. Batson opined that it would be detrimental to M.C.T.’s well-

being and not in his best interest to live in a home with no supervision.

                                       4
      M.C.T.’s second foster mom testified that she had the impression there

was no structure at Appellant’s home and that M.C.T did whatever he wanted

to do.    She agreed that M.C.T. has some “very serious” behavioral

problems—he lied, had “awful” language, destroyed and tore up things, and

was “out of control” at school. M.C.T. told her that Appellant could neither

take care of nor handle him and his brothers and that Appellant “would go off

and leave him, or he and his brothers would just sometimes be there by”

themselves. M.C.T.’s foster mom agreed that he needs intense supervision and

opined that it would be “detrimental” (both developmentally and physically) to

him if he was not supervised at home.

      Connie McAnnally, the CASA worker who investigated M.C.T.’s case,

testified that M.C.T. improved at his first foster home, but that when he

returned to Appellant’s care in August 2006, he “spiraled down quickly in a

variety of ways, in school and in the sessions with the therapist and in [her]

observations of him when [she] went to visit with him when he was living with

his mom.” M.C.T.’s “acting out, aggression, and violence” primarily began

when he was returned to Appellant’s care in August 2006.           McAnnally

observed M.C.T. with his older brothers. They were “very hard to control” and

kind of “bouncing off the walls.”   McAnnally explained that Appellant left

M.C.T. home frequently, that there were few rules or boundaries at home, that

                                      5
M.C.T. “pretty much did his own thing,” and that Appellant has no family or

outside support to help her with the children. She recounted that M.C.T. is on

“psychotropic” medication, that he needs to have his medications checked

periodically, and that Appellant had missed a few of his medical appointments

over the course of the investigation. McAnnally obtained police reports from

the Garland Police Department showing that police were called to Appellant’s

residence thirteen times between March 2006 and November 2006.               She

testified that M.C.T. had attended eleven different elementary schools, nine

prior to TDFPS’s intervention, and that he is in the sixth grade but reads at a

first-grade level and does mathematics at a second-grade level. McAnnally

ultimately opined that it was in M.C.T.’s best interest that Appellant’s parental

rights be terminated.

      Miranda Moughon served as a caseworker on M.C.T.’s case.               She

testified that Appellant did not implement the counselors’ recommendations and

that Appellant cannot keep M.C.T. safe or provide for his needs. Moughon was

aware that M.C.T.’s siblings were “assaulting” him. She testified that a Family

Based Safety Services worker observed Appellant and her children in her home

and that “he observed the chaos in their home stating that he was at a loss.”

Moughon visited Appellant’s home a few times. On one occasion, Moughon

noted that a window had been broken by N.T. and that there was broken glass

                                       6
and “extremely sharp” pieces of glass in the window pane. Moughon testified

that it was TDFPS’s opinion that Appellant’s parental rights should be

terminated and that termination was in M.C.T.’s best interest.

      Steve A., Appellant’s husband since May 2006, testified that Appellant’s

children respond well to their mother’s discipline and that he has never seen

J.T., N.T., or both put M.C.T. in a dangerous situation. Appellant testified that

she can provide a safe environment for M.C.T. She did not recall that there had

been fourteen referrals to CPS involving her and her children; that J.T., who has

been to a psychiatric hospital and sees a psychiatrist, allegedly stabbed a

teacher in 2004; or that M.C.T. made a sexual abuse outcry in 2003 after

M.C.T. and J.T. had been sharing a bed.

      The trial court signed an order terminating Appellant’s parental rights to

M.C.T., finding by clear and convincing evidence that termination was

appropriate under subsections (D), (E), and (O) of family code section

161.001(1) and that termination was in M.C.T.’s best interest. See T EX. F AM.

C ODE A NN. § 161.001 (Vernon Supp. 2007). This appeal followed.

                          III. S UFFICIENCY A RGUMENTS

      In her first point, Appellant argues that the evidence is legally and

factually insufficient to support the termination of her parental rights to M.C.T.

under family code sections 161.001(1)(D), (E), and (O). She also challenges

                                        7
the sufficiency of the evidence underlying the trial court’s best interest finding.

The State argues that Appellant failed to preserve her sufficiency complaints for

review because she did not assert them in a timely filed statement of points or

in a statement combined with a motion for new trial.2 Alternatively, the State

argues that the evidence is legally and factually sufficient to support the trial

court’s findings.

      In a recent en banc decision, this court held that family code section

263.405(i) is void as a violation of the separation of powers provision of the

Texas constitution. See In re D.W., No. 2-06-00191-CV, 2008 WL 467328,

at *1 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Feb. 19, 2008, no pet. h.). We are bound to

follow our own precedent, so we will consider the merits of M.C.T.’s

sufficiency arguments.3

      A.    Standards of Review

      2
        See T EX. F AM. C ODE A NN. § 263.405(i) (stating that an appellate court
may not consider any issue that was not specifically presented to the trial court
in a timely filed statement of the points on which the party intends to appeal
or in a statement combined with a motion for new trial).
      3
       TDFPS also argues that Appellant failed to preserve her second and third
points for appellate review because she did not comply with section 263.405(i).
For the same reason that we address M.C.T.’s first point, we will address her
second and third points. See D.W., 2008 WL 467328, at *1.

                                        8
      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). “While parental rights are of constitutional magnitude, they are

not absolute. Just as it is imperative for courts to recognize the constitutional

underpinnings of the parent-child relationship, it is also essential that emotional

and physical interests of the child not be sacrificed merely to preserve that

right.” In re C.H., 89 S.W.3d 17, 26 (Tex. 2002). 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. T EX.

F AM. C ODE A NN. § 161.206(b) (Vernon Supp. 2007); Holick v. Smith, 685
S.W.2d 18, 20 (Tex. 1985). We strictly scrutinize termination proceedings and

strictly construe involuntary termination statutes in favor of the parent. Holick,
685 S.W.2d at 20–21; In re E.M.N., 221 S.W.3d 815, 820 (Tex. App.—Fort

Worth 2007, no pet.).

      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

                                          9
is in the best interest of the child. T EX. F AM. C ODE A NN. § 161.001; 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. T EX. F AM. C ODE A NN. §§ 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.” T EX. F AM. C ODE A NN. § 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 fact-finder 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

                                        10
review all the evidence in the light most favorable to the finding and judgment.

Id. This means that we must assume that the fact-finder resolved any disputed

facts in favor of its finding if a reasonable fact-finder could have done so. Id.

We must also disregard all evidence that a reasonable fact-finder 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 fact-finder could and disregard contrary evidence

unless a reasonable fact-finder 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 fact-finder’s

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

appellate record, we must defer to the fact-finder’s determinations as long as

they are not unreasonable. Id. at 573.

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

deference to the fact-finder’s findings and not supplant the judgment with our

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

whether, on the entire record, a fact-finder could reasonably form a firm

conviction or belief that the parent violated a provision of section 161.001(1)

and that the termination of the parent’s parental rights would be in the best

                                       11
interest of the child. C.H., 89 S.W.3d at 28. If, in light of the entire record,

the disputed evidence that a reasonable fact-finder could not have credited in

favor of the finding is so significant that a fact-finder 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.

      B.    Sufficient Evidence Supports Termination Under Sections
            161.001(1)(D) and (E)

      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 which

endanger the physical or emotional well-being of the child. T EX. F AM. C ODE A NN.

§ 161.001(1)(D). Endangerment is defined as exposing to loss or injury, to

jeopardize. In re J.T.G., 121 S.W.3d 117, 125 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2003,

no pet.). Under subsection (D), it is necessary to examine evidence related 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 D.T., 34

S.W .3d 625, 632 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2000, pet. denied). To support a

finding of endangerment, the parent’s conduct does not necessarily have to be

directed at the child nor is the child required to suffer injury. Boyd, 727 S.W.2d

at 533.

                                        12
      The trial court may order termination of the parent-child relationship if it

finds by clear and convincing evidence that the parent has engaged in conduct

or knowingly placed the child with persons who engaged in conduct which

endangers the physical or emotional well-being of the child. T EX . F AM . C ODE

A NN. § 161.001(1)(E). Under subsection (E), the relevant inquiry is whether

evidence exists that the endangerment of the child’s physical or emotional well-

being was the direct result of the parent’s conduct, including acts, omissions,

and failures to act. J.T.G., 121 S.W.3d at 125. Termination under subsection

(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. Id.; D.T.,
34 S.W.3d at 634.

      Because the evidence pertaining to subsections 161.001(1)(D) and (E) are

interrelated, we conduct a consolidated review. In re T.N.S., 230 S.W.3d 434,

439 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2007, no pet.); J.T.G., 121 S.W.3d at 126. The

evidence demonstrates that Appellant often left M.C.T. at home alone. Police

found M.C.T. wandering the streets after 11:00 p.m. in late January 2006.

Appellant was in Florida, and no one claimed to have been responsible for

watching over M.C.T. despite Appellant’s insistence that it was Johnnie T.’s

responsibility. M.C.T. told a counselor that Appellant once went to Mexico

without him. M.C.T. also reported to multiple counselors and therapists that

                                       13
there are no rules at home, that Appellant regularly left him home alone, that

he is “pretty much on his own” at home, and that he and his brothers were

essentially “left to do what they wanted to do.”

      The evidence shows that M.C.T. consistently experienced physical and

verbal abuse and aggression from J.T. and N.T. M.C.T. reported that he does

not feel safe at home in part because of regular physical abuse and assaults

directed at him by his siblings. Multiple individuals described M.C.T.’s brothers

as very difficult to handle or control, and one person, after having observed

them, described them as “bouncing off the walls.”         On one occasion, N.T.

shattered a window at Appellant’s home, and J.T. assaulted Appellant by

hitting her in the back on at least one occasion. Garland police responded to

disturbances at Appellant’s residence thirteen times between March 2006 and

November 2006. Numerous witnesses reasoned that Appellant’s home was not

a safe environment for M.C.T.

      Even   though   M.C.T.    requires    intense   supervision,   the   evidence

demonstrates that Appellant either experienced difficulty controlling M.C.T. and

his siblings or did not exercise any control over them at all. Ash testified that

nothing she observed in counseling sessions indicated that Appellant exercised

control over the children, and M.C.T. told his foster mom that Appellant could

neither take care of nor handle he and his brothers. M.C.T. takes medication,

                                       14
and Appellant missed a number of appointments to have his medication

checked and possibly changed.

      We have thoroughly reviewed the evidence in this case. Viewing all the

evidence in the light most favorable to the judgment, a fact-finder could

reasonably have formed a firm belief or conviction that Appellant knowingly

placed or knowingly allowed M.C.T. to remain in conditions or surroundings that

endangered his physical or emotional well-being and that Appellant engaged in

conduct or knowingly placed M.C.T. with persons who engaged in conduct that

endangered M.C.T.’s physical or emotional well-being. See T EX. F AM. C ODE

A NN. § 161.001(1)(D), (E); J.P.B., 180 S.W.3d at 573. The evidence is thus

legally sufficient to support the trial court’s termination findings under

subsections 161.001(1)(D) and (E) of the family code. Moreover, considering

the entire record, a fact-finder could reasonably form a firm conviction or belief

that Appellant violated subsections 161.001(1)(D) and (E).         See C.H., 89
S.W.3d at 28. The disputed evidence that a reasonable fact-finder could not

have credited in favor of the trial court’s subsections 161.001(1)(D) and (E)

termination findings is not so significant that a fact-finder could not reasonably

have formed a firm belief or conviction in the truth of the challenged findings.

See H.R.M., 209 S.W.3d at 108. Consequently, the evidence is also factually

sufficient to support the trial court’s termination findings under subsections

                                       15
161.001(1)(D) and (E). Because we have held that the evidence is legally and

factually sufficient to support the trial court’s subsection 161.001(1)(D) and (E)

findings, we need not determine whether the evidence is sufficient to support

the trial court’s section 161.001(1)(O) finding. See J.L., 163 S.W.3d at 84

(stating that Petitioner must establish only one ground listed under subsection

161.001(1)).

      C.    Best Interest Finding

      Prompt and permanent placement of the child in a safe environment is

presumed to be in the child’s best interest. T EX. F AM. C ODE A NN. § 263.307(a)

(Vernon 2002). There is also 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). Nonexclusive factors that the trier of fact in a termination case may use

in determining the best interest of the child include the following:

      (1)   the desires of the child;

      (2)   the emotional and physical needs of the child now and
            in the future;

      (3)   the emotional and physical danger to the child now and
            in the future;

      (4)   the parental abilities of the individuals seeking custody;

      (5)   the programs available to assist these individuals to
            promote the best interest of the child;

                                        16
      (6)   the plans for the child by these individuals or by the
            agency seeking custody;

      (7)   the stability of the home or proposed placement;

      (8)   the acts or omissions of the parent which may indicate
            that 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). These factors are

not exhaustive; some listed factors may be inapplicable to some cases; other

factors not on the list may also be considered when appropriate. C.H., 89
S.W.3d at 27. Furthermore, undisputed evidence of just one factor may be

sufficient in a particular case to support a finding that termination is in the best

interest of the child. Id. On the other hand, the presence of scant evidence

relevant to each factor will not support such a finding. Id.

      Here, Appellant testified that she performed much, if not all of the service

plan assigned to her; that she felt like she was doing everything possible to

regain custody of M.C.T. when she learned that TDFPS was going to attempt

to terminate her parental rights; that she has learned new techniques for

disciplining her children; that she has hired a family counselor; and that she can

                                        17
provide a safe environment for M.C.T.4 The evidence, however, shows that

M.C.T. is emotionally disturbed, is educationally undeveloped, and requires

intense supervision. Appellant often leaves M.C.T. alone and unsupervised or

alone with J.T. and N.T., siblings who regularly “physically abuse” him.

Appellant experiences serious problems controlling M.C.T. and his brothers.

Although M.C.T. opined that he would like to return to Appellant’s home or be

with his brothers, numerous witnesses testified that it would be detrimental to

M.C.T.’s physical and emotional well-being to remain in an environment like the

one at Appellant’s home and that it would be in his best interest for Appellant’s

parental rights to be terminated. Factors including the emotional and physical

needs of M.C.T. now and in the future, the emotional and physical danger to

M.C.T. now and in the future, the parental abilities of Appellant, the stability

of Appellant’s home, and the acts or omissions of Appellant all heavily weigh

in favor of the finding that termination of Appellant’s parental rights to M.C.T.

is in M.C.T.’s best interest.        See Holley, 544 S.W.2d at 371–72.

Consequently, we hold that the evidence is legally and factually sufficient to

support the trial court’s finding that termination of Appellant’s parental rights

      4
       Appellant argues that no service plan ever existed because it was not
admitted into evidence. We note, however, that Appellant failed to assert this
objection at trial and that the judge took judicial notice of the case file, which
included the service plan.

                                       18
to M.C.T. is in M.C.T’s best interest. See T EX. F AM. C ODE A NN. § 161.001(2);

H.R.M., 209 S.W.3d at 108; J.P.B., 180 S.W.3d at 573. Accordingly, we

overrule Appellant’s first point.

                     IV. INEFFECTIVE A SSISTANCE OF C OUNSEL

      In her second point, Appellant argues that her trial attorney was

ineffective because her counsel did not seek a ruling challenging the sufficiency

of the evidence, request a record or a hearing on her motion for a jury trial,

request findings of fact or conclusions of law, file a family code section

263.405(i) statement of points, and object to objectionable questions posed by

TDFPS.

      There is a right to effective assistance of counsel in termination cases.

In re M.S., 115 S.W.3d 534, 544 (Tex. 2003).             We review ineffective

assistance claims under the Strickland standard.      Id. at 549.   To establish

ineffective assistance of counsel, appellant must show by a preponderance of

the evidence that her counsel’s representation fell below the standard of

prevailing professional norms and that there is a reasonable probability that, but

for counsel’s deficiency, the result of the trial would have been different.

Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687, 104 S. Ct. 2052, 2064 (1984);

Salinas v. State, 163 S.W.3d 734, 740 (Tex. Crim. App. 2005); Mallett v.

                                       19
State, 65 S.W.3d 59, 62-63 (Tex. Crim. App. 2001); Thompson v. State, 9
S.W.3d 808, 812 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999).

      In evaluating the effectiveness of counsel under the first prong, we look

to the totality of the representation and the particular circumstances of each

case. Thompson, 9 S.W.3d at 813. The issue is whether counsel’s assistance

was reasonable under all the circumstances and prevailing professional norms

at the time of the alleged error. See Strickland, 466 U.S. at 688-89, 104 S. Ct.

at 2065.   Review of counsel’s representation is highly deferential, and the

reviewing court indulges a strong presumption that counsel’s conduct fell within

a wide range of reasonable representation.      Salinas, 163 S.W.3d at 740;

Mallett, 65 S.W.3d at 63. A reviewing court will rarely be in a position on

direct appeal to fairly evaluate the merits of an ineffective assistance claim.

Thompson, 9 S.W.3d at 813-14. “In the majority of cases, the record on direct

appeal is undeveloped and cannot adequately reflect the motives behind trial

counsel’s actions.” Salinas, 163 S.W.3d at 740 (quoting Mallett, 65 S.W.3d

at 63).

      The second prong of Strickland requires a showing that counsel’s errors

were so serious that they deprived the defendant of a fair trial, i.e., a trial

whose result is reliable. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 687, 104 S. Ct. at 2064. In

other words, appellant must show there is a reasonable probability that, but for

                                      20
counsel’s unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have been

different. Id. at 694, 104 S. Ct. at 2068.

      Here, trial was to the bench, so Appellant did not have to file a motion to

preserve her sufficiency arguments. See T EX. R. A PP. P. 33.1(d) (“In a nonjury

case, a complaint regarding the legal or factual insufficiency of the evidence

. . . may be made for the first time on appeal in the complaining party’s brief.”).

Appellant does not explain—and it is not apparent—how trial counsel’s failure

to request a hearing and make a record on her request for a jury trial was error

or had any effect on her trial; thus, she fails to show that there was a

reasonable probability that but for trial counsel’s decision not to set a hearing

on the motion, the result of the proceeding would have been different. See

Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694, 104 S. Ct. at 2068.

      In a trial to the court where no findings of fact or conclusions of law are

filed, the trial court’s judgment implies all findings of fact necessary to support

it. Pharo v. Chambers County, 922 S.W.2d 945, 948 (Tex. 1996). However,

where a reporter’s record is filed, as in this case, these implied findings are not

conclusive, and an appellant may challenge them by raising both legal and

factual sufficiency of the evidence issues, which Appellant has done in this

case. Consequently, Appellant has not shown that her counsel’s representation

fell below the standard of prevailing professional norms by not requesting the

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trial court to enter findings of fact and conclusions of law. See Strickland, 466
U.S. at 687–88, 104 S. Ct. at 2064–65.

      Trial counsel’s failure to file a statement of points is moot in light of D.W.

See D.W., 2008 WL 467328, at *1.             And the record is silent as to trial

counsel’s reason for not objecting to the multitude of questions cited in

Appellant’s brief and posed by opposing counsel. These alleged errors in trial

counsel’s performance are acts of omission, which are particularly ill-suited to

review on direct appeal because the reason for counsel’s omission is not

reflected in the record. See Thompson, 9 S.W.3d at 814. Appellant has thus

failed to rebut the strong presumption that her trial counsel’s decision not to

object to the complained-of portions of the testimony fell within the wide range

of reasonable professional assistance. See Strickland, 466 U.S. at 687–88,

104 S. Ct. at 2064–65; Thompson, 9 S.W.3d at 814. We overrule Appellant’s

second point.

                                 V. D UE P ROCESS

      In her third point, Appellant argues that family code section 263.405(i)’s

requirement that she file a specific statement of points within fifteen days after

a final order is signed denies her due process. However, as TDFPS point out,

if we determined that section 263.405(i) denied Appellant due process, her

remedy would be to have her sufficiency and ineffective assistance of counsel

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arguments addressed, which, having determined in D.W. that section

263.405(i) is void as a violation of the separation of powers provision of the

Texas constitution, we have already done above. Thus, Appellant was not

denied due process because we have addressed her arguments. We therefore

overrule Appellant’s third point.

                                VI. C ONCLUSION

      Having overruled each of Appellant’s points, we affirm the trial court’s

judgment terminating Appellant’s parental rights to M.C.T.

                                           DIXON W. HOLMAN
                                           JUSTICE

PANEL F: HOLMAN, WALKER, and MCCOY, JJ.

DELIVERED: March 6, 2008

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