Court Opinion

ID: 9894020
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-10-31 14:11:11.501517+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:04:55.799964
License: Public Domain

Fourth Court of Appeals
                                           San Antonio, Texas
                                      MEMORANDUM OPINION

                                               No. 04-23-00474-CV

                                   IN THE INTEREST OF J.S.R., a Child

                       From the 73rd Judicial District Court, Bexar County, Texas
                                    Trial Court No. 2022PA00651
                             Honorable Kimberly Burley, Judge Presiding

Opinion by:       Irene Rios, Justice

Sitting:          Irene Rios, Justice
                  Beth Watkins, Justice
                  Lori I. Valenzuela, Justice

Delivered and Filed: October 25, 2023

AFFIRMED

           Appellant Mother appeals the trial court’s order terminating her parental rights to her child,

J.S.R. 1 Mother challenges the sufficiency of the evidence supporting the trial court’s finding that

termination was in the child’s best interest. We affirm.

                                                    BACKGROUND

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

in the underlying case on April 20, 2022, when the Department received a referral that J.S.R., who

was ten months old, was hospitalized and tested positive for methamphetamines. Mother was

1
  To protect the identity of minor children in an appeal from an order terminating parental rights, we refer to the parents
as “Mother” and “Father.” We refer to J.S.R. as “the child” or using his initials. See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN.
§ 109.002(d); TEX. R. APP. P. 9.8(b)(2). The trial court’s order terminated Mother’s and Father’s parental rights to
the child, but only Mother appeals the trial court’s order.
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arrested at the hospital on an outstanding warrant and the investigating officer contacted the

Department because there was no one to make medical decisions for the child or to take custody

of the child. The Department could not identify how the child ingested the drugs and sought

removal to protect the child.

           On April 22, 2022, the Department filed a petition seeking temporary managing

conservatorship of J.S.R. and termination of Mother’s parental rights. On March 22, 2023 and

March 28, 2023, the trial court held a bench trial. The trial court heard testimony from: Felicia

Garcia, the Department’s removal caseworker; Felicia Hill, the Department’s caseworker; Don

Bentley, Jr., Mother’s therapist; Officer Gilbert Guzman, the responding officer when the child

ingested methamphetamines; Natalie Kissoon, M.D., a supervising pediatrician at the hospital

where the child was taken; Father; and the child’s paternal aunt. 2 Mother was present for the first

day of trial; however, she did not attend the second day.

           On May 1, 2023, the trial court entered an order terminating Mother’s parental rights to

J.S.R. Specifically, the trial court terminated Mother’s parental rights based on statutory grounds

(D), (N), (O), and (P) in subsection 161.001(b)(1) of the Texas Family Code. See TEX. FAM. CODE

ANN. §§ 161.001(b)(1)(D), (N), (O), (P). The trial court also found it was in J.S.R.’s best interest

to terminate Mother’s parental rights. See id. § 161.001(b)(2). Mother appeals.

                          STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARD OF REVIEW

           To terminate parental rights pursuant to section 161.001 of the Texas Family Code, the

Department has the burden to prove by clear and convincing evidence: (1) one of the predicate

grounds in subsection 161.001(b)(1); and (2) that termination is in the best interest of the child.

TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 161.001(b). Clear and convincing evidence requires “proof that will

2
    We refer to paternal aunt as “Aunt” to protect the identity of the child. See TEX. R. APP. P. 9.8(b)(2).

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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.

          When reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence, we apply well-established standards of

review.     See id. §§ 101.007, 161.206(a); In re H.R.M., 209 S.W.3d 105, 108 (Tex. 2006)

(conducting a factual sufficiency review); In re J.P.B., 180 S.W.3d 570, 573 (Tex. 2005)

(conducting a legal sufficiency review).

          “In reviewing the legal sufficiency of the evidence to support the termination of parental

rights, we must ‘look at all the evidence in the light most favorable to the finding to determine

whether a reasonable trier of fact could have formed a firm belief or conviction that its finding was

true.’” In re J.L.B., No. 04-17-00364-CV, 2017 WL 4942855, at *2 (Tex. App.—San Antonio

Nov. 1, 2017, pet. denied) (mem. op.) (quoting In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d 256, 266 (Tex. 2002)).

“[A] reviewing court must assume that the factfinder resolved disputed facts in favor of its finding

if a reasonable factfinder could do so.” J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d at 266. “A corollary to this requirement

is that a [reviewing] court should disregard all evidence that a reasonable factfinder could have

disbelieved or found to have been incredible.” Id.

          “In reviewing the factual sufficiency of the evidence to support the termination of parental

rights, we ‘must give due consideration to evidence that the factfinder could reasonably have found

to be clear and convincing.’” J.L.B., 2017 WL 4942855, at *2 (quoting J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d at 266).

“A [reviewing court] should consider whether disputed evidence is such that a reasonable

factfinder could not have resolved that disputed evidence in favor of its finding.” J.F.C.,

96 S.W.3d at 266. “The [reviewing] court must hold the evidence to be factually insufficient if, in

light of the entire record, the disputed evidence contrary to the judgment is so significant that a

reasonable factfinder could not have resolved that disputed evidence in favor of the ultimate

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finding.” In re M.T.C., No. 04-16-00548-CV, 2017 WL 603634, at *2 (Tex. App.—San Antonio

Feb. 15, 2017, no pet.) (mem. op.).

           Further, in a bench trial, the trial court is the sole judge of the credibility of witnesses and

the weight to be given their testimony. HealthTronics, Inc. v. Lisa Laser USA, Inc., 382 S.W.3d

567, 582 (Tex. App.—Austin 2012, no pet.). This is because “the trial judge is best able to observe

and assess the witnesses’ demeanor and credibility, and to sense the ‘forces, powers, and

influences’ that may not be apparent from merely reading the record on appeal.” Coburn v.

Moreland, 433 S.W.3d 809, 823 (Tex. App.—Austin 2014, no pet.) (quoting In re A.L.E.,

279 S.W.3d 424, 427 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2009, no pet.)). We, therefore, defer to

the trial court’s judgment regarding credibility determinations. Coburn, 433 S.W.3d at 823–24.

                                                   BEST INTEREST

           Mother argues the evidence is legally and factually insufficient to support a finding that

termination of her parental rights is in the child’s best interest.

           When considering the best interest of a child, we recognize the existence of a strong

presumption that the child’s best interest is served by preserving the parent-child relationship. In

re R.R., 209 S.W.3d 112, 116 (Tex. 2006). However, we also presume that prompt and permanent

placement of the child in a safe environment is in the child’s best interest. TEX. FAM. CODE ANN.

§ 263.307(a).

           In determining whether a parent is willing and able to provide the child with a safe

environment, we consider the factors set forth in section 263.307(b) of the Texas Family Code. 3

3
    These factors include:

           (1) the child’s age and physical and mental vulnerabilities; (2) the frequency and nature of out-of-
           home placements; (3) the magnitude, frequency, and circumstances of the harm to the child;
           (4) whether the child has been the victim of repeated harm after the initial report and intervention
           by the department; (5) whether the child is fearful of living in or returning to the child’s home;

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See id. § 263.307(b). We also consider the Holley factors. 4 See Holley v. Adams, 544 S.W.2d 367,

371–72 (Tex. 1976). These factors are not exhaustive. In re C.H., 89 S.W.3d 17, 27 (Tex. 2002).

“The absence of evidence about some of these considerations would not preclude a factfinder from

reasonably forming a strong conviction or belief that termination is in the child’s best interest,

particularly if the evidence were undisputed that the parental relationship endangered the safety of

the child.” Id. In analyzing these factors, we must focus on the best interest of the child, not the

best interest of the parent. Dupree v. Tex. Dep’t of Protective & Regul. Servs., 907 S.W.2d 81, 86

(Tex. App.—Dallas 1995, no writ).

         Evidence that proves one or more statutory ground for termination may also constitute

evidence illustrating that termination is in the child’s best interest. C.H., 89 S.W.3d at 28 (holding

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

evidence does not relieve the State of its burden to prove best interest). “A best-interest analysis

may consider circumstantial evidence, subjective factors, and the totality of the evidence as well

as the direct evidence.” See In re E.D., 419 S.W.3d 615, 620 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2013, pet.

         (6) the results of psychiatric, psychological, or developmental evaluations of the child [or] the
         child’s parents . . . ; (7) whether there is a history of abusive or assaultive conduct by the child’s
         family or others who have access to the child’s home; (8) whether there is a history of substance
         abuse by the child’s family or others who have access to the child’s home; (9) whether the
         perpetrator of the harm to the child is identified; (10) the willingness and ability of the child’s family
         to seek out, accept, and complete counseling services and to cooperate with and facilitate an
         appropriate agency’s close supervision; (11) the willingness and ability of the child’s family to
         effect positive environmental and personal changes within a reasonable period of time; (12) whether
         the child’s family demonstrates adequate parenting skills . . . ; and (13) whether an adequate social
         support system . . . is available to the child.

TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 263.307(b).
4
 These factors include: (1) the child’s desires; (2) the child’s present and future emotional and physical needs; (3) any
present or future emotional and physical danger to the child; (4) the parental abilities of the individuals seeking
custody; (5) the programs available to assist the individuals seeking custody to promote the child’s best interest; (6) the
plans for the child by the individuals or agency seeking custody; (7) the stability of the home or proposed placement;
(8) the parent’s acts or omissions which may indicate that the existing parent-child relationship is improper; and
(9) any excuse for the parent’s acts or omissions. Holley v. Adams, 544 S.W.2d 367, 371–72 (Tex. 1976); see also In
re E.C.R., 402 S.W.3d 239, 249 n.9 (Tex. 2013).

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denied). “A trier of fact may measure a parent’s future conduct by his past conduct and determine

whether termination of parental rights is in the child’s best interest.” Id.

       Here, the evidence shows the child was hospitalized for ingesting methamphetamines while

he was in Mother’s custody and care. The hospital contacted law enforcement and Officer Guzman

was sent to investigate the matter. According to Officer Guzman’s investigation, Mother left J.S.R.

with a male friend while she allegedly went to an auto parts store. Mother told Officer Guzman

that she left the friend’s house at approximately noon and returned at approximately 4:00 that

afternoon. Later that evening, Mother began to notice the child was acting strange and crying a

lot. Mother reached her finger down the child’s throat to determine whether anything was

obstructing his airway. The child did not flinch or otherwise react. According to Guzman’s

recollection of Mother’s story, the baby was also trying to “scratch at the walls, and he was kind

of like sticky.” Mother later bathed the child and tried to put him to bed. When the child wouldn’t

sleep, around midnight, Mother took him to another friend’s house. Because the child was still

acting strange, Mother called her cousin who rushed over, picked up Mother and the child, and

took them to a nearby fire station. The firefighters at the station called emergency medical services

(“EMS”) who transported the child to the hospital.

       J.S.R. was treated by a medical fellow who was supervised by Natalie Kissoon, M.D. Dr.

Kissoon, a pediatrician who is board certified in child abuse pediatrics, testified that J.S.R., a ten-

month old baby, presented with an altered mental status, rapid breathing, rapid heart rate, and

movements in his body that were abnormal. Mother also reported J.S.R. was not acting like

himself. J.S.R. was given a urine drug screen that tested positive for amphetamine, the breakdown

product of methamphetamine. Dr. Kissoon further testified J.S.R. “had an elevated creatine kinase,

which is a measure of the breakdown of muscle.” Dr. Kissoon continued, “an elevated creatine

kinase is something that you see in methamphetamine ingestion and overdoses.” Dr. Kissoon

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believed the child’s unusual behavior was consistent with the methamphetamine ingestion shown

by the positive drug screen.

       According to Dr. Kissoon, this incident was “a failure to provide appropriate supervision

to [the] child” because a ten-month-old child “requires constant supervision” and Mother was

unable to report “how this ingestion occurred.” See In re S.J.R.-Z., 537 S.W.3d 677, 693 (Tex.

App.—San Antonio 2017, pet. denied) (holding a child’s young age renders him vulnerable if left

in the custody of a parent who is unable or unwilling to protect him or attend to his needs).

       Officer Guzman suspected Mother may have been under the influence at the hospital

because, when he interviewed her, she was not able to answer simple questions and was “all over

the place” with her story. Officer Guzman stated Mother was more concerned with finding a lost

cell phone than the welfare of her baby while at the hospital. When Officer Guzman asked how

methamphetamines got into the child’s system, Mother stated there were some people at her

friend’s house that may have been doing drugs while she was at the auto parts store. Mother

speculated the child may have grabbed the drugs from a table. See In re M.C.L. V, No. 04-21-

00277-CV, 2022 WL 219002, at *6 (Tex. App.—San Antonio Jan. 26, 2022, no pet.) (mem. op.)

(“A parent endangers her children by accepting the endangering conduct of other people.”).

       Felicia Garcia, the Department’s caseworker at the time of removal, testified the

Department received referrals stating Mother was under the influence and J.S.R. tested positive

for methamphetamines “and that he was going to survive.” The Department sought removal

because Mother was arrested at the hospital, Father was incarcerated, there was no one to make

medical decisions for the child, and the Department could not identify how the child ingested the

drugs. Mother also had a prior history with the Department for drug use and domestic violence in

2021. See In re S.L.W., No. 04-22-00425-CV, 2023 WL 28451, at *5 (Tex. App.—San Antonio

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Jan. 4, 2023, pet. denied) (mem. op.) (alteration omitted) (“A parent’s criminal activities and

history are relevant to a best-interest analysis.”).

        Felicia Hill—the Department’s caseworker during the legal case—testified a service plan

was created for Mother after the child was removed. The service plan required Mother to take a

drug assessment and follow all recommendations, pass random drug tests, participate and complete

a psychological evaluation, individual counseling, family violence prevention classes, and

parenting classes. Mother was also required to provide a stable home and attend visits with J.S.R.

        Mother completed the drug assessment, and it was recommended that she participate in

outpatient drug treatment. Don Bentley, Jr., Mother’s counselor for outpatient drug treatment,

testified that Mother only attended three out of six individual therapy sessions and nine out of

sixteen group therapy sessions. Bentley stated Mother was not an active participant in sessions,

made no progress in drug treatment, and “was hostile towards treatment” because she “did not

believe that she needed to be in treatment.” According to Bentley, Mother seemed to only want to

talk about how she felt the Department “was after her to ruin her life.” Mother would not

acknowledge her struggle with drug use. She would admit that she tested positive for drugs, but

would not admit to using drugs. Bentley opined a person cannot make progress addressing their

struggle with drug use until they acknowledge they have a problem. Mother was unsuccessfully

discharged from outpatient drug treatment due to lack of attendance. Bentley concluded Mother

has not addressed her drug issues and needs to complete drug treatment.

        Hill testified that, at a status hearing on October 5, 2022, Mother was ordered by the trial

court to participate and complete inpatient drug treatment “because she was still struggling with

her sobriety at that point.” However, Mother did not engage in an inpatient drug program.

Following her drug assessment, it was also recommended that Mother participate in Narcotics

Anonymous/Alcoholics Anonymous (“NA/AA”) meetings; however, Mother never provided Hill

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with sign-in sheets showing she attended any meetings. In June 2022, Mother tested positive for

illegal substances. See In re K.M., No. 04-08-00037-CV, 2008 WL 2923655, at *2 (Tex. App.—

San Antonio July 30, 2008, pet. denied) (mem. op.) (holding a parent’s illegal substance abuse

“places her children in emotional and physical danger”); see also In re A.N., No. 04-19-00584-

CV, 2020 WL 354773, at *3 (Tex. App.—San Antonio Jan. 22, 2020, no pet.) (mem. op.) (“Illicit

drug use is relevant to multiple Holley factors, including the children’s emotional and physical

needs now and in the future, the emotional and physical danger to the children now and in the

future, Mother’s parental abilities, the stability of Mother’s home, and the acts or omissions which

may indicate an improper parent-child relationship.”).

       Mother quit taking the random drug tests after Hill confronted Mother about the positive

drug test. Hill informed Mother that a missed test would be presumed positive, yet Mother

continued missing drug tests. See In re A.M.L., No. 04-19-00422-CV, 2019 WL 6719028, at *4

(Tex. App.—San Antonio Dec. 11, 2019, pet. denied) (mem. op.) (“The trial court also could have

reasonably inferred that [a parent’s] failure to appear for drug testing indicated that [the parent]

was avoiding testing because [the parent] was using drugs.”).

       Mother did not complete her psychological evaluation, family violence prevention classes,

parenting classes, or individual counseling. See In re D.J.R., No. 04-22-00579-CV, 2023 WL

3214552, at *4 (Tex. App.—San Antonio May 3, 2023, pet. denied) (alterations omitted) (“[A]

parent’s actions or inactions with regard to the court-ordered service plan is relevant to a child’s

best interest.”). She only attended sixteen of thirty-six visits with J.S.R. “A parent’s missed visits

with the child may . . . be an act or omission that supports termination.” Id. Mother had not seen

the child consistently since December 16, 2022, and only attended one visit in the three months

leading up to trial. At this visit, J.S.R. was hesitant around Mother, until Hill allowed Aunt—who

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is the child’s kinship placement—to participate in the visit. Aunt testified she and the child waited

for Mother at one visitation for approximately an hour before it was canceled.

       When Mother did attend visitation, she would bring inappropriate food and drinks for the

child. Hill testified Mother fed the infant a pint of ice cream at one visit. Another time, she fed

him “an entire little cake” and red soda or red fruit punch. J.S.R. would become sick after these

visits. Hill stated that “[o]ne time whatever he was drinking made him ill and he had to be taken

to the doctor.” When the visitation monitor would try to redirect Mother’s inappropriate feedings,

Mother would become “irate.” See Holley, 544 S.W.2d at 372 (stating a parent’s acts which may

indicate that the existing parent-child relationship is not a proper one as a best-interest factor).

       Hill testified that Mother has exhibited “very erratic behavior during the life of this case.”

Hill further stated Mother had to be escorted out of the building during a meeting with Hill because

Mother was “cussing” Hill out. Finally, Mother did not exhibit stable housing throughout the case.

Father told Hill that Mother has been homeless for many years.

       In contrast, Hill testified Aunt has been providing the child with all his needs. J.S.R. was

placed with Aunt in December 2022, and she has met his medical, dental, and therapeutic needs.

Hill stated J.S.R. has “made all of his appointments. He’s thriving. He’s walking, pretty much

almost running now.” According to Hill, Aunt “is definitely doing her job when it comes to

[J.S.R.]” Aunt confirmed J.S.R. has improved in her care. According to Aunt, he is walking and

talking and repeats everything she says. He is reaching his goals from therapy and the therapist

doesn’t “feel the need to work with him anymore.”

       Aunt fosters the child’s educational needs as well. Hill stated Aunt takes him to the zoo

and “lots of museums.” Hill opined Aunt “is very invested in [J.S.R.’s] future.” Aunt is also

raising a twelve-year-old daughter and an eleven-month-old child. Hill confirmed J.S.R. and

Aunt’s biological baby get along, are very bonded with one another, and play and interact all day.

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Aunt testified she and her daughter are also bonded with the child. According to Aunt, J.S.R. loves

Aunt’s children, and the children consider J.S.R. their sibling. S.J.R.-Z., 537 S.W.3d at 693

(“When children are too young to express their desires, the fact finder may consider that the

children have bonded with the foster family, are well-cared for by them, and have spent minimal

time with a parent.”).

       Aunt is waiting on a clerical error to be corrected and then she will be licensed to adopt.

Aunt testified that she intends to adopt the child if parental rights are terminated. See id. (“The

need for permanence is the paramount consideration for the child’s present and future physical and

emotional needs.”). Hill stated she believed adoption by Aunt is in the child’s best interest because

“he needs the stability and he needs to be in a caring, loving, drug-free environment, free of

violence” and Aunt is able to provide that for him. See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 263.307(a) (“[T]he

prompt and permanent placement of the child in a safe environment is presumed to be in the child’s

best interest.”); In re A.M.M., 04-19-00806-CV, 2020 WL 2139308, at *3–4 (Tex. App.—San

Antonio May 6, 2020, pet. denied) (mem. op.) (indicating evidence the child is “thriving in the

current placement” in a “stable and nurturing environment with a planned adoption” supported the

trial court’s best-interest determination).

       Hill concluded termination of Mother’s parental rights is in the best interest of J.S.R.

because Mother has been unable to provide for the child’s basic needs or support and she has not

shown positive change throughout the case. J.S.R. does not have a bond with Mother, has only

seen Mother once in the three months leading up to trial, and Mother’s previous visits with him

were inappropriate. Hill opined she has not seen behavioral changes in Mother that would be

“developmentally appropriate for [J.S.R.].” Based on Mother’s past, the concerns with drug use,

and her inability to show improvement, Hill testified Mother does not have the ability to protect

the child. Hill further opined Mother cannot provide the necessary stability for J.S.R. Aunt agreed

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stating Mother has not shown stability when it comes to showing up for visits with the child. Aunt

opined it is in J.S.R.’s best interest for Mother’s parental rights to be terminated because Mother

has “had a good amount of time to . . . fight for him” and she hasn’t done that. Aunt stated she

believed J.S.R. “deserves family that’s going to be there” for him and that she “will always be

there for him.”

       The trial court heard ample evidence regarding Mother’s struggles with drug use. The

evidence shows that the child was directly harmed by Mother’s choices, whether it be direct

exposure to drugs, or leaving the child in the care of others who were using drugs in the child’s

presence. See In re D.M., 452 S.W.3d 462, 471 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2014, no pet.) (“A

factfinder may infer that past conduct endangering the well-being of a child may recur in the future

if the child is returned to the parent.”). Significantly, the evidence shows that Mother refused to

address her drug issues or otherwise show positive change or the ability to provide stability for the

child. See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 263.307(b)(11) (listing the willingness and ability of the parent

to effect positive environmental and personal changes as a best-interest factor). Having reviewed

the record and considered all the evidence in the appropriate light for each standard of review, we

conclude the trial court could have formed a firm belief or conviction that termination of Mother’s

parental rights was in the child’s best interest. See id. § 161.001(b)(2); H.R.M., 209 S.W.3d at

108; J.P.B., 180 S.W.3d at 573; see also generally In re A.B., 437 S.W.3d 498, 503 (Tex. 2014)

(recognizing an appellate court need not detail the evidence if affirming a termination judgment).

Accordingly, we hold the evidence is legally and factually sufficient to support the trial court’s

best-interest finding.

                                           CONCLUSION

       We affirm the trial court’s order terminating Mother’s parental rights to J.S.R.

                                                   Irene Rios, Justice

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