Court Opinion

ID: 2808107
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-06-13 06:18:07.761041+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:31:58.223422
License: Public Domain

Fourth Court of Appeals
                                       San Antonio, Texas
                                   MEMORANDUM OPINION
                                         Nos. 04-14-00719-CV &
                                              04-14-00723-CV

    THE STATE OF TEXAS FOR THE BEST INTEREST AND PROTECTION OF D.P.,
                            a Mentally Ill Person

                         From the Probate Court No. 1, Bexar County, Texas
                         Trial Court Nos. 2014-MH-3187 & 2014-MH-3096
                             Honorable Oscar J. Kazen, Judge Presiding 1

Opinion by:       Marialyn Barnard, Justice

Sitting:          Karen Angelini, Justice
                  Marialyn Barnard, Justice
                  Patricia O. Alvarez, Justice

Delivered and Filed: June 10, 2015

AFFIRMED

           In this accelerated appeal, appellant D.P. appeals the probate court’s judgment ordering

temporary commitment for inpatient mental health services and its order for the administration of

psychoactive medication.        In two issues, D.P. argues the evidence is legally and factually

insufficient to support the judgment and the order. We affirm.

1
  The Honorable Polly Jackson Spencer was the presiding judge of Probate Court No. 1 of Bexar County at the time
the judgment of commitment and order for administration of medication were rendered. However, Associate Judge
Oscar Kazen presided over the hearing on the application for temporary commitment and the petition to compel
psychoactive medication. Judge Kazen signed the judgment and order that are the subject of this appeal.
                                                                  04-14-00719-CV & 04-14-00723-CV

                                         BACKGROUND

       A court issued a mental health warrant authorizing D.P.’s emergency detention. After a

stay in protective custody, D.P. was transferred to the Nix Behavioral Health Center. At Nix, D.P

was examined and evaluated by Dr. Cathleen Harrison. Shortly thereafter, Nix personnel filed an

application for temporary commitment for mental illness, asking the probate court to involuntarily

commit D.P. to a mental health facility. See TEX. HEALTH & SAFETY CODE ANN. § 574.001 (West

2015). The application was supported by two certificates of medical examination: one of which

was prepared by Dr. Harrison, who testified at the commitment hearing. Both doctors stated they

had examined D.P., diagnosing her with delusion and paranoia, and specifically noting D.P.

refused to take her medication or care for herself. Dr. Harrison also filed a petition seeking an

order to compel psychoactive medication. See TEX. HEALTH & SAFETY CODE ANN. § 574.106.

       The probate court held a commitment hearing at which Dr. Harrison testified D.P. was

mentally ill and suffering from psychosis, an illness that impairs a person’s thoughts, perception

of reality, emotions, and judgment. Dr. Harrison explained D.P. was originally diagnosed with

delusional disorder, but after examining her for a longer period, she believed D.P. suffered from

psychosis. At the hearing, three of D.P.’s family members — her mother, sister-in-law, and sister

— testified about D.P.’s problematic behavior. D.P. also testified at the hearing, disputing the

diagnosis and alleging her family was lying and in “cahoots” against her.

       At the conclusion of the testimony, the probate court granted the application for temporary

commitment. In accordance with section 574.034 of the Texas Health and Safety Code (“the

Code”), the court determined D.P. was mentally ill and as a result of her mental illness, was

suffering severe and abnormal mental, emotional, or physical distress, was experiencing

substantial mental and physical deteriorating of her ability to function independently, and was

unable to make a rational and informed decision about whether or not to submit to treatment. See
                                               -2-
                                                                   04-14-00719-CV & 04-14-00723-CV

TEX. HEALTH & SAFETY CODE ANN. § 574.034(a)(2)(C) (West 2015).                  The probate court

specifically noted D.P. lacked reality-based thinking and lost a significant amount of weight,

substantiating the allegations that she was unable to provide for her basic needs or function

independently.

       After the probate court granted the application for temporary commitment, it proceeded

with the medication hearing. At the hearing, Dr. Harrison testified in support of the petition for

an order to compel psychoactive medications. Dr. Harrison stated D.P. did not have the capacity

to make rational and informed decisions with regard to her prescribed medications, and the

administration of the medications was in D.P.’s best interest. According to the doctor, if D.P.

failed to take the medications, she would continue to suffer from paranoia. Dr. Harrison also

opined D.P. would be capable of functioning normally in society as long as she took her

medications as prescribed.     The probate court ordered the administration of psychoactive

medication. D.P. perfected this accelerated appeal, challenging the judgment and the order.

                                            ANALYSIS

       In two issues on appeal, D.P. challenges the legal and factual sufficiency of the evidence

to support the probate court’s judgment for temporary commitment and order for administration

of psychoactive medication. D.P. does not challenge the probate court’s finding that she is

mentally ill, nor does she contend the evidence is insufficient to support the court’s findings that

she is suffering from severe and abnormal distress and is unable to make rational and informed

decisions about her treatment. Rather, D.P. specifically contends the evidence is insufficient to

support a finding by clear and convincing evidence that she had a substantial mental or physical

deterioration in her ability to function independently, and therefore all the requirements of

subsection C of section 574.034 of the Code were not met. D.P. further contends that because the

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                                                                   04-14-00719-CV & 04-14-00723-CV

evidence is legally and factually insufficient to support the probate court’s judgment of

commitment, it is also insufficient to support the medication order.

                            Burden of Proof and Standard of Review

       Clear and convincing evidence must support orders for temporary mental health services,

such as temporary commitment and administration of psychoactive medication. TEX. HEALTH &

SAFETY CODE ANN. §§ 574.034 & 574.106(a-1). Clear and convincing evidence refers to “that

measure or degree of proof which 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.” State v. K.E.W., 315 S.W.3d
16, 20 (Tex. 2010).

       When determining whether the evidence is legally and factually sufficient to support

findings made pursuant to a clear and convincing standard, we apply a heightened standard of

review. See In re C.H., 89 S.W.3d 17, 25 (Tex. 2002); Best Interest and Protection of N.D., No.

04-14-00720-CV, 2015 WL 1004310, at *1 (Tex. App.—San Antonio March 4, 2015, no pet. h.)

(mem. op.). We also review all of the evidence to determine whether a reasonable factfinder could

have formed a firm belief or conviction that the finding was true. K.E.W., 315 S.W.3d at 20; In re

J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d 256, 266 (Tex. 2002); C.H., 89 S.W.3d at 25; N.D., 2015 WL 1004310, at *1.

       Under a legal sufficiency review, we review all of the evidence in the light most favorable

to the findings and assume any disputed facts were resolved in favor of the findings so long as a

reasonable factfinder could do so. K.E.W., 315 S.W.3d at 20; J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d at 266. We will

also disregard any contrary evidence unless a factfinder reasonably could not have done so.

K.E.W., 315 S.W.3d at 20; J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d at 266. Evidence is considered to be legally

insufficient to support a trial court’s finding if no reasonable factfinder could have formed a firm

belief or conviction that the matter to be proven is true. J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d at 266.

                                                -4-
                                                                      04-14-00719-CV & 04-14-00723-CV

        Under a factual sufficiency review, we review the disputed evidence to determine if it is

such that a reasonable factfinder could not have credited in favor of the trial court’s finding. Id.

If, in light of the entire record, the disputed evidence is “so significant” that a factfinder could not

reasonably have formed a firm belief or conviction in the truth of the trial court’s finding, we must

determine the evidence is factually insufficient. Id. In our review, we may not substitute the trial

court’s judgment with our own, and we must remain mindful that the factfinder is the sole judge

of the witnesses’ credibility and weight to be given to their testimony. Id.

                       Applicable Law — Judgment Ordering Commitment

        When a probate court receives an application for court-ordered temporary inpatient mental

health services, it may order a patient to receive those type of services only if it finds by clear and

convincing evidence that the proposed patient is mentally ill, and, due to that mental illness, the

proposed patient is either: (A) likely to cause serious harm to herself; (B) likely to cause serious

harm to others; or — as in this case — (C) is:

        (i) suffering severe and abnormal mental, emotional, or physical distress;
        (ii) experiencing substantial mental or physical deterioration of the proposed
        patient’s ability to function independently, which is exhibited by the proposed
        patient’s inability, except for reasons of indigence, to provide for the proposed
        patient’s basic needs, including food, clothing, health, or safety; and
        (iii) unable to make a rational and informed decision as to whether or not to submit
        to treatment.

TEX. HEALTH & SAFETY CODE ANN. § 574.034(a). Once the State proves the person is mentally

ill, it need prove only one of the three listed statutory alternatives — (A), (B), or (C) above — to

support a probate court’s judgment ordering temporary mental health services. State ex rel. L.G.,

No. 04-13-00556-CV, 2013 WL 6672796, at *4 (Tex. App.—San Antonio Dec. 18, 2013, no pet.)

(mem. op.). However, the conjunctive list of three requirements within subsection (C) must be

proved by clear and convincing evidence. See M.S. v. State, 137 S.W.3d 131, 136–37 (Tex. App.—

Houston [1st Dist.] 2004, no pet.) (holding that evidence was legally insufficient to support
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                                                                     04-14-00719-CV & 04-14-00723-CV

judgment ordering commitment because no finding of one of the three mandatory requirements

listed in subsection (C)). The statute also requires the probate court to specify which of the

alternatives — (A), (B), or (C) — supports its judgment. TEX. HEALTH & SAFETY CODE ANN.

§ 574.034(b); see Armstrong, 190 S.W.3d at 250.

       The statute further specifies the evidence must include expert testimony and evidence of a

recent overt act or a continuing pattern of behavior, confirming either “(1) the likelihood of serious

harm to the proposed patient or others; or (2) the proposed patient’s distress and the deterioration

of the proposed patient’s ability to function.” TEX. HEALTH & SAFETY CODE ANN. § 574.034(d);

see also L.G., 2013 WL 6672796, at *3; Armstrong, 190 S.W.3d at 250. The expert’s testimony

cannot be conclusory and must be supported by the factual basis on which it is grounded.

Armstrong, 190 S.W.3d at 251. Accordingly, an expert should detail the patient’s specific

behaviors upon which his or her opinion is based. Id. A probate court need not specify which one

of these alternatives supports its judgment. Armstrong, 190 S.W.3d at 250–51.

       Applicable Law — Order Authorizing Administration of Psychoactive Medication

       A trial court may also order the administration of psychoactive medication. TEX. HEALTH

& SAFETY CODE ANN. § 574.106. This type of order may be rendered if: (1) the patient is under a

court order for inpatient mental health services, and (2) the trial court finds by clear and convincing

evidence that: (a) the patient does not have the capacity to make decisions regarding the

administration of the proposed medication, and (b) treatment using the proposed medication is in

the patient’s best interest. Id. § 574.106(a), (a–1); L.G., 2013 WL 6672796, at *3.

                                             Application

       Here, as noted above, the trial court found D.P. was mentally ill and as a result of

her mental illness, was suffering distress, was unable to function independently, and was

unable to make rational decisions. See TEX. HEALTH & SAFETY CODE ANN. §§ 574.034(a)(1),
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                                                                    04-14-00719-CV & 04-14-00723-CV

574.034(a)(2)(C). However, D.P. challenges the trial court’s finding that she was unable to

function independently, contending the evidence was legally and factually insufficient to support

such a finding. Accordingly, we limit our review to her specific challenge.

       At the hearing, Dr. Harrison testified she examined D.P for about three weeks while D.P

was at the mental health facility. Based on her evaluation of D.P. and a review of D.P.’s medical

records, Dr. Harrison concluded D.P. was mentally ill, suffering from psychosis. Dr. Harrison

stated D.P. was not forthcoming with regard to her symptoms and was in denial of her illness. D.P.

exhibited episodes of paranoia and would make delusional and odd statements. For example, D.P.

told Dr. Harrison that the mental health warrant was based on a false report and the judge hearing

her commitment case needed to apply for a Visa in order to preside. D.P. also informed Dr.

Harrison that she filed a report with the FBI about the health facility. Dr. Harrison noted that D.P.

carried a stack of paperwork with her at all times, spending hours shuffling through it, highlighting

specific sections.

       Dr. Harrison also testified that although she believed D.P. was not likely to cause serious

harm to herself, she believed D.P. was unable to take care of herself or provide herself with her

basic needs, such as food and shelter. When asked why she believed D.P. could not take care of

herself, Dr. Harrison indicated D.P was currently living with her mother and did not seem capable

of working to support herself. She believed D.P could not take care of herself because of her

“thought processes.” Dr. Harrison added that D.P.’s “disconnect with reality” contributes to her

inability to function independently. Dr. Harrison conceded that while in the facility, D.P. took

care of her own hygiene and ate enough so that these issues were not a concern. However, she

clarified these concessions, stating it was her belief that D.P. could not care for herself without

help or outside a controlled environment.

                                                -7-
                                                                     04-14-00719-CV & 04-14-00723-CV

       D.P.’s sister-in-law, Michelle Torres, also testified at the commitment hearing. Ms. Torres

testified she noticed D.P. became aggressive two years before the commitment hearing. According

to Ms. Torres, D.P. would become very aggressive when you “messed” with her paperwork, her

computer, or her dog. Ms. Torres testified D.P. would begin yelling and “come at” people. Ms.

Torres explained she had to intervene on several occasions, and in one instance, D.P. broke her

mother’s cell phone and attempted to “physically get to her mother.”

       With regard to D.P.’s ability to provide for her basic needs, Ms. Torres testified D.P. stayed

with her for a few days and during that time, D.P. did not drink any water or eat. According to

Ms. Torres, D.P. only drank coffee. Ms. Torres further explained D.P. did not buy her own food

or eat on her own, but had to be told to both eat and bathe on a regular basis.

       In addition to Ms. Torres’s testimony, D.P.’s sister, Donna Brooks, testified D.P. was

paranoid and since 2012, went from “really chunky” to “very, very thin.” Ms. Brooks stated it

was her belief her sister lost a drastic amount of weight due to stress.

       The probate court also heard testimony from D.P.’s mother, Rita Ledson. Ms. Ledson

testified D.P. had lived with her for the past year after D.P. lost custody of her children and had

nowhere else to go. According to Ms. Ledson, D.P. spends the majority of her time outside, either

walking her dog or sitting outside with her dog. When asked whether D.P. eats on her own, Ms.

Ledson stated D.P. drinks only coffee.

       Ms. Ledson testified she once discovered D.P. standing outside her bedroom, holding a

knife. Since then, Ms. Ledson has lived in fear of D.P., calling Ms. Torres almost hourly. Ms.

Ledson described D.P. as “hyper,” as opposed to physical, when someone interfered with her

paperwork, computer, or dog.

       When D.P. took the stand, she testified the mental health warrant issued against her was

based on a false report by Ms. Torres, and as a result, she filed a complaint with the FBI given that
                                                 -8-
                                                                   04-14-00719-CV & 04-14-00723-CV

the FBI handles “all kinds of fraud” issues. When asked why Ms. Torres would file a false report,

D.P. testified her brother stole her computer, and therefore, she called the police. She repeatedly

insisted she was the one who called the police to report that her brother – not her mother – took

her computer. When asked where she was living, D.P. testified she was currently living with her

mother because her bills had “skyrocketed” after she was fired from her job for excessive absences.

D.P. also denied being aggressive with her mother and indicated her family was in “cahoots with

[her] being aggressive to [her] mother.”

       Based on our review of the evidence, we hold the evidence is legally and factually sufficient

to support the probate court’s judgment ordering commitment. Admittedly, an expert’s diagnosis

alone is not sufficient to sustain a temporary commitment, and an expert’s opinion and

recommendations must be supported by a showing of the factual basis on which it is grounded.

See N.D., 2015 WL 1004310, at *1; Armstrong, 190 S.W.3d at 250–51. However, there is no

requirement that this factual basis be established by direct evidence. N.D., 2015 WL 1004310, at

*1. Here, in addition to Dr. Harrison’s testimony regarding D.P.’s diagnosis and inability to care

for her basic needs, the probate court heard evidence from family members regarding D.P.’s failure

to eat or drink water — drinking only coffee — and dramatic weight loss. In fact, more than one

family member testified as to D.P.’s inability to eat on her own without prompting. D.P.’s mother

testified that in the past year, D.P. would not eat on her own and drank only coffee. This testimony

coupled with Dr. Harrison’s observations and opinion that D.P. could not take care of herself

independently demonstrates D.P.’s inability to provide for her basic needs.

       Accordingly, after considering the evidence under the applicable standards of review, we

conclude the trial court could have reasonably formed a firm belief that D.P. was experiencing

substantial mental or physical deterioration of her ability to function independently. See K.E.W.,
315 S.W.3d at 20; J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d at 266. Accordingly, we hold the evidence is both legally
                                                -9-
                                                                     04-14-00719-CV & 04-14-00723-CV

and factually sufficient to support the probate court’s judgment ordering D.P. temporarily

committed, and we affirm that judgment. See K.E.W., 315 S.W.3d at 20; J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d at 266.

       With regard to the order authorizing the administration of psychoactive medication, we

also hold the evidence is legally and factually sufficient to support the trial court’s order. In this

case, the only basis on which D.P. challenges the probate court’s medication order is that the

evidence is legally and factually insufficient to support the trial court’s judgment of commitment.

Accordingly, because we have determined the evidence is sufficient to support the probate court’s

judgment with regard to commitment, we affirm the medication order.

                                           CONCLUSION

       Based on the foregoing, we overrule D.P.’s issues and affirm the probate court’s judgment

ordering D.P. committed, as well as the probate court’s medication order.

                                                   Marialyn Barnard, Justice

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