Court Opinion

ID: 4125436
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2017-02-13 08:13:00.199128+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:49:40.295271
License: Public Domain

Opinion issued February 7, 2017

                                      In The

                               Court of Appeals
                                     For The

                          First District of Texas
                             ————————————
                              NO. 01-16-00785-CV
                            ———————————
      IN THE INTEREST OF A.D.N., M.D.N., D.J.N., AND M.M.T.N.,
                          CHILDREN

                    On Appeal from the 313th District Court
                            Harris County, Texas
                      Trial Court Case No. 2015-01529J

                          MEMORANDUM OPINION

      A.M.N., a mother, appeals the trial court’s order terminating her parental

rights to her four children. A.M.N. challenges the trial court’s judgment on the

grounds that factually and legally insufficient evidence supports the trial court’s

conclusions that she committed four predicate acts required for termination and that

termination was in her children’s best interest. We affirm.
                                    Background

      A.M.N. (“Mother”) is the mother of four children who are the subject of this

suit—a six-year-old daughter, M.D.N., a four-year-old son, A.D.N., a two-year-old

son, D.J.N., and a 23-month-old son, M.M.T.N. In March 2015, DFPS sued Mother

seeking conservatorship and termination of her parental rights with respect to A.D.N.

based on medical neglect. DFPS supported the allegations in its petition with the

affidavit of DFPS investigator Heather Pohl and a physician’s statement from Dr.

Michael Braun, Chief of Nephrology at Texas Children’s Hospital.

      According to Pohl’s affidavit, DFPS received four reports of Mother’s child

neglect between March 2014 and December 2014. DFPS received the first report in

March 2014, after Mother’s urine tested positive for marijuana at the birth of D.J.N.

in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Two days later, DFPS received a second report after A.D.N.,

who was not yet two years old, was taken to a Houston hospital with a high fever by

his maternal grandfather (“Grandfather”).       Grandfather could not provide the

hospital any identifying information about A.D.N. or Mother.1 The hospital was

uncomfortable discharging A.D.N. to Grandfather and ultimately discharged A.D.N.

to his step-grandmother (“Grandmother”).

1
      Mother told DFPS that she is estranged from Grandfather but he was the only person
      she could ask to take A.D.N. to the hospital because she was out of town and the
      person watching A.D.N. could not drive or accompany him to the hospital because
      she was caring for two other children.

                                           2
      The events that formed the basis of the third report of neglect took place in

late 2014 and culminated in the hospitalization of A.D.N. on December 1, 2014. In

the fall of 2014, A.D.N. was hospitalized and diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome—

a condition which causes his body to produce excess fluid, overloading his kidneys.

A.D.N. was readmitted to a different hospital a week later, after Mother noticed

scrotal swelling. The hospital discharged A.D.N. days later, re-educated Mother

regarding A.D.N.’s fluid and sodium restrictions, and scheduled a follow up

appointment for late October. After his discharge, Mother spoke to the hospital by

phone and reported that A.D.N.’s urine protein and edema was up and that his weight

had increased by approximately seven pounds. Based on his symptoms, she stated

that she would bring A.D.N. to the hospital, but she failed to do so. In mid-October

2014, A.D.N. again had to be hospitalized for three days. When the hospital

discharged A.D.N., Mother was instructed to restrict A.D.N.’s fluid and sodium

intake, test A.D.N.’s urine daily and record the results, and update the hospital staff

weekly on A.D.N’s urine protein levels. Mother did not contact the hospital until he

had to be hospitalized again on December 1, 2014.

      That day, Mother called 911 and reported that A.D.N. had been swelling for

5 to 7 days, not urinated for 2 days, had watery diarrhea for 3 days, and increased

difficulty breathing. Emergency Medical Services transported A.D.N. to the hospital

and A.D.N. was in crisis when he arrived. His symptoms were so severe that he was

                                          3
admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit, about 14 pounds over his appropriate

weight. In a Physician’s Statement Regarding Injury to a Child, A.D.N.’s physician

noted that “the severity of symptoms at presentation indicate significant delay in

seeking care and resulted in harm to patient.” The physician further noted that the

severity of A.D.N.’s symptoms were consistent with medical neglect. A.D.N.

remained in the hospital for months.

      In mid-December 2014, DFPS received a fourth report of Mother’s neglect

after police found then four-year-old M.D.N. and nine-month-old D.J.N. alone in

Mother’s residence. According to the report, Mother’s roommate was present when

the deputy arrived but fled when asked for identification, leaving the children alone.

The house was cluttered with garbage, clothing and toys. There was an exposed

heater on the floor, though it was 70 degrees outside. Nine-month-old D.J.N. was

laying on the bed, and there were pill bottles in the room and a steak knife on the

floor. Pohl’s affidavit describes the condition of the home as unsafe for small

children. That same day, Mother, who was approximately six to seven months

pregnant with M.M.T.N., tested positive for cocaine and marijuana.

      According to Pohl’s affidavit, Mother then agreed to work with Family Based

Services and to place her children outside of the home until she completed services.

At Mother’s request, DFPS placed D.J.N. and M.D.N. with Grandmother and

                                          4
Grandfather. Mother gave birth to her fourth child, M.M.T.N., in February 2015 and

he was also placed with Grandmother as a Parental Child Safety Placement.

      A.D.N. was still in the hospital in March 2015. According to DFPS’s petition,

upon his release from the hospital, A.D.N. would “require daily medical

intervention.” He would need to receive outpatient infusions five times a week and

each infusion would take four hours. Additionally, A.D.N. would require oral

medications, a low sodium diet, fluid restrictions, blood pressure monitoring, and

urine protein testing.

      The trial court granted DFPS temporary managing conservatorship of A.D.N

in March 2015. In April 2015, DFPS removed D.J.N., M.D.N., and M.M.T.N from

Grandmother’s home following an altercation involving a gun between Grandfather

and another person in front of the home. Grandmother and Grandfather were evicted

and the children were placed together in a foster home. DFPS filed a first amended

petition seeking termination of the parental rights of Mother with respect to all of

her children and emergency conservatorship for the protection of M.D.N., D.J.N.,

and M.M.T.N., asserting that Mother committed one or more of the following acts

or omissions:

             15.1 knowingly placed or knowingly allowed the
             children to remain in conditions or surroundings which
             endanger the physical or emotional well-being of the
             children, pursuant to §161.001(1)(D), Texas Family Code;

                                         5
            15.2 engaged in conduct or knowingly placed the
            children with persons who engaged in conduct which
            endangers the physical or emotional well-being of the
            children, pursuant to §161.001(1)(E), Texas Family Code;

            15.3 constructively abandoned the children who have
            been in the permanent or temporary managing
            conservatorship of the Department of Family and
            Protective Services or an authorized agency for not less
            than six months and: (1) the Department or authorized
            agency has made reasonable efforts to return the children
            to the mother; (2) the mother has not regularly visited or
            maintained significant contact with the children; and
            (3) the mother has demonstrated an inability to provide the
            children with a safe environment, pursuant to
            §161.001(1)(N), Texas Family Code;

            15.4 failed to comply with the provisions of a court order
            that specifically established the actions necessary for the
            mother to obtain the return of the children who have been
            in the permanent or temporary managing conservatorship
            of the Department of Family and Protective Services for
            not less than nine months as a result of the children’s
            removal from the parent under Chapter 262 for the abuse
            or neglect of the children, pursuant to §161.001(1)(O),
            Texas Family Code.
The trial court granted DFPS temporary managing conservatorship over M.D.N.,

D.J.N., and M.M.T.N. the same day.

      In May 2015, DFPS filed a family service plan detailing goals, tasks, and

services for Mother to complete. The family service plan required Mother to:

          Complete a drug and alcohol assessment and follow any and all
           recommendations;

          Participate in and successfully complete an 8-week parenting class and
           provide DFPS with certificate of completion;

                                        6
           Participate in individual therapy sessions;

           Complete random urine analysis throughout the duration of the case;

           Maintain stable, hazard-free housing for at least 6 months or more and
            provide DFPS with proof of residence;

           Maintain legal and verifiable employment and/or income for 6 months
            or more;

           Attend all court hearings, meetings, and all case related activities;

           Maintain contact with case worker and notify of any changes in phone
            numbers or address;

           Attend all medical appointments for A.D.N. after he is discharged from
            the hospital;

           Complete outpatient substance abuse programs and follow discharge
            recommendations and attend a 12 step program: NA/AA;

           Complete a psycho-social evaluation or a 4 C’s assessment and follow
            any and all recommendations.

The family service plan noted Mother’s strengths, including: (1) she was working

full time, (2) she graduated high school, (3) she had a cosmetology license, (4) she

was moving into a house, (5) she was cooperating with the agency, (6) she was in

outpatient treatment, (7) she took responsibility for her mistakes, (8) she is attentive

to A.D.N. in the hospital and visits him, (9) she provides for some of the needs of

the children in foster care, (10) she shows general concern, (11) she took care of the

warrants for her unpaid tickets, and (12) she completed her 4 C’s assessment. The

trial court approved the family service plan and noted that Mother reviewed and

understood its terms and was advised that unless she is willing and able to provide

                                           7
the children with a safe environment, even with the assistance of a family service

plan, within the reasonable period of time specified in the plan, “her parental and

custodial duties and rights may be subject to restriction or to termination or the

children may not be returned to her.”

      In July 2015, DFPS presented a permanency plan and progress report to the

court. According to the report, M.D.N., D.J.N., and M.M.T.N. lived together in the

same foster home in which they were placed in April 2015. All three children had

adjusted to the home and their foster parents were meeting their family, mental

health, and social needs. But A.D.N. remained hospitalized. According to the July

report, DFPS’s primary permanency plan at the time was “family reunification.”

      In November 2015, DFPS presented another permanency plan and progress

report to the court. DFPS had changed the primary permanency plan from “family

reunification” to “unrelated adoption” in September 2015, noting that although

Mother was working on her services to regain custody, she had been “untruthful

about a lot of information which places the children in harms way” and still had

services to complete. M.D.N., D.J.N., and M.M.T.N. continued to live together in

the same foster home and their foster parents were meeting their family, mental

health, and social needs. And DFPS placed A.D.N. in a separate foster home after

he was discharged from the hospital where, according to the report, A.D.N.’s

caregiver was meeting his educational, family, mental health and social needs. It

                                         8
notes that A.D.N. visited his siblings and mother monthly. A.D.N. was taking 14

medications as he awaited a kidney transplant. The report states that A.D.N.

received dialysis four times a week and recently received a GI-tube to assist him

with feeding.

      With regard to Mother’s progress, the November 2015 report states that

Mother allowed others to falsely sign her in to NA and AA meetings. It also states

that Mother is said to be working as a full-time manager at Kentucky Fried Chicken,

but had not provided DFPS her check stubs. According to the report, Mother

completed 90 days of outpatient drug treatment in June 2015 and reported that she

was participating in NA meetings weekly and had obtained a sponsor. Mother also

completed her psycho-social evaluation on April 22, 2015 and completed parenting

classes on June 8, 2015. The report also states that Mother had her own housing and

tested negative for drugs on August 21, 2015 and September 2, 2015.

      After a hearing in December 2015, the trial court entered an order noting that

Mother had not demonstrated adequate compliance with the family service plan.

The court ordered that the May 2015 plan continue in effect and that Mother also

comply with the terms of an updated family service plan submitted by DFPS. The

December 2015 family service plan required Mother to:

          Provide truthful information to all providers throughout the case;

          Participate in a drug/alcohol assessment at a provider approved by
           DFPS and follow all recommendations;

                                         9
          Obtain and maintain stable housing for herself and her children and
           show proof of lease/rental agreement or mortgage with her name on it
           to CPS;

          Obtain a female sponsor with at least five years sobriety and provide
           DFPS with her sponsor name and telephone numbers;

          Cooperate fully with the Houston Police Department in regards to two
           rape investigations related to the alleged rape of herself and another
           person;

          Fully participate and attend weekly NA and AA meetings and provide
           case worker with her sign in and out sheet with a licensed counselor’s
           signature;

          Pay monthly child support to the agency.

      In January 2016, DFPS presented another permanency plan and progress

report in which it noted that Mother was in contact with the agency but had not been

truthful about pertinent information and “still needs to complete her services and

demonstrate a change in her behavior to show she has alleviated or mitigated the

reasons as to why the children came into care.” In February 2016, the trial court

entered another order stating that Mother had not demonstrated adequate compliance

with the updated family service plan. In May 2016, DFPS presented another

permanency plan and progress report, noting that the children remained in their

foster placements. According to the report, M.D.N. was “improving significantly in

school” and D.J.N. was “able to communicate better due to him learning new

words.” The report notes that it has “been hard to schedule the mother for drug tests

due to her phone being disconnected monthly.”

                                         10
      DFPS prepared another permanency plan and progress report in July 2016

stating that Mother “is no longer cooperating with the agency and not working her

needed services.” According to the report, Mother had not seen the children since

March 2016. It states that according to Mother, she missed the April visit due to

flooding and the May visit because she had surgery on her ankle/foot. DFPS’s report

further notes that Mother missed a drug test on May 16, 2016 because of work and

that she missed court on June 1, 2016. According to the report, Mother also lied

about recently giving birth to a baby girl in May 2016.

      In September 2016, the court held a bench trial.2 Pohl testified regarding the

initial referrals related to neglect, consistent with the averments in her affidavit.

Shannette McBride, the caseworker assigned to the case since the children were

taken into DFPS’s custody, also testified on DFPS’s behalf. She stated that Mother

was working on the services in her family service plan and initially appeared to be

on the right track. However, DFPS discovered that Mother had lied about her

progress and she later ceased communicating with DFPS. According to McBride,

Mother reported that she was attending NA meetings, but DFPS learned that

Mother’s friend was falsely signing her in. McBride also testified that Mother was

not forthcoming in her drug and psychosocial assessment. McBride testified that

2
      Mother was not present at the trial. Her counsel requested a continuance on the
      basis that Mother told her that morning that she had the flu and could not attend.
      The trial court denied the request for a continuance.

                                          11
Mother had not followed the recommendations in her drug or psychosocial

assessments or attended individual therapy. She also testified that Mother failed to

provide DFPS with proof of income, stable housing, or employment and did not

provide documentation evidencing her attendance at NA meetings or meetings with

a sponsor. McBride noted that Mother is also not current on child support and has

missed court hearings and several meetings. Additionally, McBride testified that

Mother stopped visiting her children in March 2016, and thus had not seen them for

approximately six months leading up to trial. According to McBride, Mother stated

that she did not visit the children in April 2016 because her van was flooded and she

missed her May visit because she was having surgery on her ankle. McBride

testified that she did not hear from Mother again until the end of June 2016, and

Mother did not ask to see the children. McBride later tried to contact Mother by

phone and text message, but she was unable to reach her because Mother’s number

was disconnected. According to McBride, Mother “has pretty much abandoned the

children since March” and “hasn’t asked to see them.”

      McBride testified that A.D.N.’s foster parents are taking care of his medical

needs and are interested in adopting him. She noted that they love A.D.N. and are

very bonded to him. McBride also testified that the other three children remain in

the same foster home and DFPS is actively seeking adoptive placements for them.

She testified that Mother provided DFPS with the name of a potential placement—

                                         12
a friend of Mother’s adoptive parents—that the agency would look into; however,

she did not think the proposed placement had ever met the children.

      DFPS put on evidence of Mother’s history of drug use:

          In March 2014, Mother’s urine tested positive for marijuana when she
           gave birth to D.J.N.

          In December 2014, Mother’s urine tested positive for cocaine and
           marijuana.

          In April 2015, Mother’s hair tested positive for cocaine,
           benzoylecgonine and norcocaine, though her urine tested negative for
           drugs and ethyl glucuronide.

          In May 2015, Mother’s hair and urine tested negative for drugs and
           ethyl glucuronide.

          In July 2015, Mother’s urine tested negative for drugs.

          In September 2015, Mother’s hair and urine tested negative for drugs
           and ethyl glucuronide.

          In December 2015, Mother’s hair tested positive for cocaine,
           benzoylecgonine and norcocaine, though her urine tested negative for
           drugs and ethyl glucuronide.

          In February 2016, Mother’s hair and urine tested negative for drugs and
           ethyl glucuronide.

Mother failed to submit to further drug testing after February 2016. McBride

testified that she called Mother on several occasions to continue her testing but

Mother’s number changed, was disconnected, or Mother stated she was working and

could not leave to take a drug test. According to McBride, Mother had not

demonstrated to DFPS that she is testing clean and sober.

                                        13
      Finally, the children’s guardian ad litem presented the expert testimony of

Lisa McCartney. McCartney testified that she was familiar with and had reviewed

all of the case documents and had spoken with the children and parties associated

with the case. She testified that Mother had neglected A.D.N.’s medical needs on

multiple occasions and left the children in unfit conditions.         According to

McCartney, Mother had not shown stability as evidenced by the fact that she moves

around, named a variety of different men as fathers of her children with different

versions of their names, tested positive for drugs after giving birth to D.J.N., used

drugs when she was pregnant with M.M.T.N., and failed to receive prenatal care.

McCartney further noted that Mother was not forthcoming with information about

where she lives or the identities of the children’s fathers.

      McCartney stated that she spoke to Mother’s proposed placement who stated

that she had only met the oldest child, M.D.N., one time and had not met the other

children. McCartney noted that the proposed placement was single and made $1900

a month in disability income for arthritis. McCartney also testified that A.D.N. was

thriving in his current placement and that his placement family was taking care of

him medically and wanted to adopt him. According to McCartney, A.D.N. would

be eligible for a kidney transplant once he had not been hospitalized for a period of

one year—an objective he was close to reaching. McCartney testified that she plans

on assisting the caseworker with finding an adoptive placement for the other three

                                           14
children. According to McCartney, “[t]hey’re young, and now that they’ll be legally

free for adoption, it should not be difficult to find them a home as a sibling group of

three.”

      Following the trial, the trial court terminated Mother’s parental rights to all

four of her children pursuant to sections 161.001(b)(1)(D), (E), (N), and (O) of the

Texas Family Code.3 Mother appealed.

                                     Discussion

      In her first, second, third, and fourth issues, Mother asserts that the evidence

was legally and factually insufficient to support the termination of her parental rights

under Texas Family Code sections 161.001(b)(1)(D), (E), (N) or (O), respectively.

In her fifth issue, Mother challenges the trial court’s determination that termination

of her parental rights was in the children’s best interest.

A.    Standard of Review

      In a case to terminate parental rights under section 161.001, DFPS must

establish by clear and convincing evidence: (1) that the parent committed one or

more of the enumerated acts or omissions justifying termination and (2) that

termination is in the best interest of the child. TEX. FAM. CODE § 161.001; In re

C.H., 89 S.W.3d 17, 23 (Tex. 2002). “Clear and convincing evidence” is “the

3
      DFPS also sought termination of the parental rights of various unknown and named
      fathers of each child in its petition. The trial court granted the termination of the
      parental rights of all of these individuals, and they are not parties to the appeal.

                                           15
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 § 101.007; In re J.O.A., 283 S.W.3d 336, 344 (Tex. 2009).

      In conducting a legal-sufficiency review in a parental-rights-termination case

brought by DFPS, we must look at the entire record to determine whether the

evidence, viewed in the light most favorable to the finding, is such that a reasonable

factfinder could have formed a firm belief or conviction about the truth of the matter

on which DFPS had the burden of proof. In re J.O.A., 283 S.W.3d at 344–45 (citing

In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d 256, 266 (Tex. 2002)). We “must assume that the factfinder

resolved disputed facts in favor of its finding if a reasonable factfinder could do so,”

and we “should disregard all evidence that a reasonable factfinder could have

disbelieved or found to have been incredible.” Id. at 344.

      In conducting a factual-sufficiency review, we view all of the evidence,

including disputed or conflicting evidence. Id. at 345. We should consider whether

the disputed evidence is such that a reasonable factfinder could not have resolved

that disputed evidence in favor of its finding. In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d at 266. The

evidence is factually insufficient only 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

                                          16
conviction” regarding the finding under review. In re J.O.A., 283 S.W.3d at 345

(quoting In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d at 266).

      DFPS bore the burden at trial to establish that the parent committed one of the

acts or omissions enumerated in section 161.001(b)(1) and that termination is in the

best interest of the child. See TEX. FAM. CODE § 161.001; In re C.H., 89 S.W.3d at

23. 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).      However, “[o]nly one predicate finding under section

161.001(1) is necessary to support a judgment of termination when there is also a

finding that termination is in the child’s best interest.” In re A.V., 113 S.W.3d 355,

362 (Tex. 2003). “Thus, if multiple predicate grounds are found by the trial court,

we will affirm on any one ground because only one is necessary for termination of

parental rights.” In re T.G.R.-M., 404 S.W.3d 7, 13 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.]

2013, no pet.) (citations omitted).

B.    Termination under Section 161.001(b)(1)(O)

      1.     Applicable Law

      Texas Family Code subsection 161.001(b)(1)(O) provides that the court can

order termination upon a finding by clear and convincing evidence that the parent

has

             (O) failed to comply with the provisions of a court order
             that specifically established the actions necessary for the

                                         17
             parent to obtain the return of the child who has been in the
             permanent or temporary managing conservatorship of the
             Department of Family and Protective Services for not less
             than nine months as a result of the child’s removal from
             the parent under Chapter 262 for the abuse or neglect of
             the child.

TEX. FAM. CODE § 161.001(b)(1)(O). “Texas courts have held that substantial

compliance is not enough to avoid a termination finding under section 161.001(O).”

In re C.M.C., 273 S.W.3d 862, 875 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2008, no pet.).

      2.     Analysis

      In her fourth issue, Mother asserts that the evidence was legally and factually

insufficient to support the termination of her parental rights under Texas Family

Code section 161.001(b)(1)(O). But Mother then concedes in the substantive portion

of her appellate brief that legally and factually sufficient evidence supports the trial

court’s predicate finding under (O). DFPS likewise responds that the evidence was

legally and factually sufficient to establish both that Mother failed to comply with

the court-ordered family service plans and that the children were in the

conservatorship of DFPS for over nine months.

      The record reflects that the trial court awarded DFPS temporary managing

conservatorship of A.D.N. in March 2015 and of M.D.N., D.J.N., and M.M.T.N in

April 2015, over 17 months before trial. Thus, the evidence is uncontroverted that

DFPS had conservatorship of the children for over nine months. See TEX. FAM.

CODE § 161.001(b)(1)(O) (requiring DFPS to have permanent or temporary

                                          18
managing conservatorship for not less than 9 months as result of child’s removal

from parent under Chapter 262 for abuse or neglect of child). And Mother does not

dispute that the children were removed for the reasons described in (O). Id.

      The record further reflects that the trial court approved and ordered Mother’s

compliance with an initial family service plan and an updated family service plan,

entered after Mother failed to comply with the initial plan. Mother admits that she

did not comply with the terms of the court-ordered plans. The evidence and

testimony adduced at trial also reflect that Mother did not follow all

recommendations of the drug treatment facility, remain drug-free despite knowing

that her parental rights could be terminated, and was untruthful to DFPS in reporting

her compliance with the family service plan. McBride also testified that Mother

failed to provide DFPS with proof of income, stable housing, or employment and

did not provide documentation evidencing her attendance at NA meetings or

meetings with a sponsor. According to McBride’s testimony, Mother is delinquent

on child support, and failed to attend court hearings and several meetings.

Additionally, Mother stopped visiting the children in March 2016, and thus had not

seen them for approximately six months before trial. Finally, she stopped appearing

for drug tests over six months before trial and failed to provide DFPS with evidence

that she was sober in the months before the trial. Considering all of this evidence in

the light most favorable to the judgment, we conclude that a factfinder could

                                         19
reasonably have formed a firm conviction or belief that Mother failed to comply with

the court ordered family service plans. Thus, we find the trial court’s finding under

section 161.001(b)(1)(O) is supported by legally sufficient evidence.

      We next consider, in reviewing the factual sufficiency of the evidence, all of

the evidence, including disputed and conflicting evidence. The record reflects that

DFPS received four reports of neglect in 2014 and that Mother tested positive for

drugs at D.J.N.’s birth and two months before delivering M.M.T.N. Following the

fourth report, Mother allowed DFPS to place her children outside of the home and

initially began completing the services required by the first court-ordered service

plan. In its May 2015 permanency report, DFPS acknowledged several of Mother’s

strengths including the fact that she was working full time, moving into a house,

cooperating with the agency, in outpatient treatment, visiting A.D.N. regularly in the

hospital, and generally showing concern. Mother also completed a drug and alcohol

assessment and a psychosocial evaluation in the spring of 2015 and was reported to

have completed a 90-day outpatient program for substance abuse in June 2015. She

also tested negative for drug use in May, July, and September of 2015.

      However, Mother later stopped complying with the terms of her plans. She

tested positive for drug use in December 2015, despite her young children being

removed from her custody and knowing that her parental rights were in jeopardy.

She was dishonest with DFPS regarding her progress and had a friend falsely sign

                                         20
her in at NA meetings.       Mother presented no evidence controverting DFPS’s

evidence that she failed to provide DFPS with proof of income, stable housing, or

employment. Additionally, DFPS presented uncontroverted evidence that Mother

did not visit her children or submit to a drug test in the six months before trial. While

the record reflects that Mother cited car troubles and medical reasons for missing her

April and May 2016 visits, Mother presented no evidence that she tried to otherwise

meet or interact with her children in the six months leading up to trial. Additionally,

the record suggests that Mother told DFPS that she could not appear for a drug test

due to work, but Mother presented no evidence that she tried to work with the

caseworker to otherwise demonstrate her sobriety in the months leading up to trial.

      Substantial compliance with a service plan is not sufficient to avoid a

termination finding under Texas Family Code section 161.001(b)(1)(O). See In re

M.C.G., 329 S.W.3d 674, 676 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2010, no pet.)

(“The Family Code does not provide for substantial compliance with a family

services plan.”); In re C.M.C., 273 S.W.3d 862, 875 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th

Dist.] 2008, no pet.) (“Texas courts have held that substantial compliance is not

enough to avoid a termination finding under section 161.001(O).”). While it is

undisputed that Mother completed certain tasks in her family service plans and that

she initially took steps to regain custody, she ultimately failed to complete all of the

tasks called for in the court-ordered plans and gave up her efforts to comply.

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Viewing all the evidence presented, including any disputed or conflicting evidence,

we find that a reasonable factfinder could have resolved the disputed evidence in

favor of a finding that Mother failed to comply with all of the terms of the court-

ordered service plans. Thus, we conclude that there is legally and factually sufficient

evidence of Mother’s failure to comply with the court ordered service plans to

support termination of Mother’s parental rights under section 161.001(b)(1)(O).

Accordingly, we overrule Mother’s fourth issue relating to the legal and factual

sufficiency of the evidence to support the trial court’s finding of a predicate act

pursuant to section 161.001(b)(1)(O). In light of our holding, we need not reach her

first, second, or third issues which relate to the trial court’s findings of other

predicate acts under section 161.001(b)(1)(D), (E), and (N).

C.    Best Interest of the Children

      1.     Applicable Law

      There is a strong presumption that the best interest of a child is served by

preserving the parent-child relationship. Wiley v. Spratlan, 543 S.W.2d 349, 352

(Tex. 1976). In assessing whether termination is in a child’s best interest, courts are

guided by the non-exclusive list of factors set forth in Holley v. Adams, 544 S.W.2d
367, 371–72 (Tex. 1976). The factors include (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 of the child now and in the future, (4) the parental abilities of

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the individuals seeking custody, (5) the programs available to assist these individuals

to promote the best interest of the child, (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 proper, and (9) any excuse for the acts or

omissions of the parent. Id. These factors are not exhaustive. In re C.T.E., 95
S.W.3d 462, 466 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2002, pet. denied).

      DFPS “need not prove all of the factors as a condition precedent to parental

termination, ‘particularly if the evidence were undisputed that the parental

relationship endangered the safety of the child.’” Id. (quoting In re C.H., 89 S.W.3d

at 27). However, the burden is on DFPS to rebut the presumption that the best

interest of the child is served by keeping custody in the natural parents. Vasquez v.

Tex. Dep’t of Protective & Regulatory Servs., 190 S.W.3d 189, 196 (Tex. App.—

Houston [1st Dist.] 2005, pet. denied).

      2.     Analysis

      Mother argues that the evidence is insufficient to establish that termination of

her parental rights is in the best interest of her children because, though DFPS has

found a permanent placement for A.D.N., DFPS does not have a permanent

placement for Mother’s other three children. Mother contends that it is in the

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children’s best interest to be with their mother. DFPS disagrees, arguing that the

Holley factors weigh in favor of termination.

      Neither party presented evidence at trial of the desires of the children. While

McBride testified that M.D.N. knows her mother, she noted that M.D.N. had not

expressed to her that she misses Mother. Given the lack of evidence with regard to

the first factor, we weigh the evidence in light of the other Holley factors.

      “Many of the reasons supporting termination under subsection O also support

the trial court’s best interest finding.” In re E.C.R., 402 S.W.3d 239, 249 (Tex. 2013)

(citing In re C.H., 89 S.W.3d 17, 28 (Tex. 2002)). First, under the second and third

Holley factors, we consider the children’s physical and emotional needs and the

emotional and physical danger of the children, now and in the future. 544 S.W.2d

at 371–72. Mother tested positive for drugs when she gave birth to D.J.N. and two

months before giving birth to M.M.T.N. She admitted to DFPS that she failed to

obtain prenatal care before giving birth to M.M.T.N. The record also reflects that

Mother chose unfit caregivers for M.D.N., D.J.N., and M.M.T.N. In December

2014, before M.M.T.N. was born, Mother left M.D.N. and D.J.N. with her

roommate, who fled when police arrived, leaving then four-year-old M.D.N. and

nine-month-old D.J.N. alone in an unsafe environment. Mother then requested that

M.D.N., D.J.N., and M.M.T.N. be placed with her father and her stepmother. In

April 2015, DFPS had to take emergency possession of M.D.N., D.J.N., and

                                          24
M.M.T.N. after receiving a report that there was an altercation involving a gun

outside of the home of Mother’s father and stepmother, leading to their eviction.

M.D.N., D.J.N., and M.M.T.N. are currently residing together in a foster home. The

three children have reportedly adjusted to their foster home and DFPS reported that

M.D.N. was “improving significantly in school” and D.J.N. was “learning new

words” and “able to communicate better.”

      A.D.N.’s medical condition creates specific physical and medical needs

relevant under the second and third Holley factors. When A.D.N. was in his

mother’s care, he was hospitalized five times in nine months. With regard to

A.D.N.’s December 2014 hospitalization, his doctor opined that A.D.N’s symptoms

were consistent with medical neglect and suggested a significant delay in seeking

care which resulted in harm to A.D.N. A.D.N. remained in the hospital for months

following the December 2014 hospitalization and DFPS was ultimately granted

temporary conservatorship over him before his discharge. A.D.N. is currently

residing in a foster home where his foster family is meeting his needs. He has not

required hospitalization for almost one year, meaning that he is closer to becoming

eligible for a kidney transplant. Mother failed to present any evidence that she was

willing and able to meet A.D.N.’s serious medical and physical needs. She did not

see any of the children, including A.D.N., in the six months before trial. While there

is evidence that Mother initially took steps to treat her substance abuse and complete

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the tasks in the court-ordered service plan, “evidence of improved conduct,

especially of short-duration, does not conclusively negate the probative value of a

long history of drug use and irresponsible choices.” In re J.O.A., 283 S.W.3d at 346.

Here, the record reflects that Mother later tested positive for drugs, despite her

children being removed from her care and her knowledge that her parental rights

were in jeopardy. She failed to take a drug test after February 2016 or otherwise

provide evidence of her sobriety in the months leading up to trial. She also failed to

present any evidence that she is employed, has a place to live, or is capable of

providing the children with a safe home, free of hazards.

      With respect to factors four, six, and seven, which relate to the parental

abilities of the individuals seeking custody, their plans for the children, and the

stability of the home or proposed placement, McBride testified that A.D.N.’s foster

home is taking care of his medical needs. She stated that A.D.N.’s foster family is

bonded to him and loves him and wants to adopt him. Mother does not challenge

this evidence. Rather, she argues that termination is not in the best interest of the

children because DFPS does not have a permanent placement for M.D.N., D.J.N.,

and M.M.T.N.

      The Texas Supreme Court has noted that while evidence of placement plans

and adoptions are relevant to a best interest determination, “the lack of evidence

about definitive plans for permanent placement and adoption cannot be the

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dispositive factor; otherwise, determinations regarding best interest would regularly

be subject to reversal on the sole ground that an adoptive family has yet to be

located.” In re C.H., 89 S.W.3d at 28; see also In re E.C.R., 402 S.W.3d at 250.

Rather, we must determine, based on the entire record, whether a fact finder could

reasonably form a firm conviction or belief that termination of parental rights is in

the children’s best interest, even if DFPS has not yet “identif[ed] with precision the

child[ren]’s future home environment.” In re C.H., 89 S.W.3d at 28; see also In re

E.C.R., 402 S.W.3d at 250.

      The evidence reflects that, during the pendency of the case, Mother failed drug

tests at D.J.N.’s birth, while pregnant with M.M.T.N., and while caring for infant

children, even after she knew her parental rights were in jeopardy and her children

had been removed from her custody. DFPS also presented evidence that Mother lied

regarding her progress and stopped efforts to contact her children or comply with

the requirements for retaining her parental rights over six months before trial.

Mother offered no evidence to refute this proof. McBride testified that M.D.N.,

D.J.N., and M.M.T.N. are currently all living together in a foster home and that the

agency is actively searching for suitable family adoptive placements. McBride

stated that she believed termination of Mother’s parental rights is in the children’s

best interest, noting that Mother had essentially abandoned the children since March

2016 and had not asked to see them in months.

                                         27
        Next, there is limited evidence in the record regarding the fifth Holley factor—

programs available to assist Mother in promoting the best interest of the children.

However, according to the family service plan, Mother was required to receive

individual therapy, participate in parenting classes, and complete outpatient

substance abuse programs. While the record reflects that Mother completed an out-

patient program in June 2015, it also reflects that Mother eventually stopped

complying with the requisite program requirements mandated by the family service

plan.

        Finally, we consider the eighth and ninth Holley factors, which concern the

acts or omissions of the parent that may indicate that the existing parent-child

relationship is not a proper one and any excuse for such acts or omissions. Mother

stopped visiting her children or cooperating with DFPS over six months before trial.

While Mother offered the DFPS caseworker explanations for why she could not visit

her children in April or May or take a drug test, she offered none for why she did

not try to otherwise visit her children or comply with the court-ordered tasks in her

service plan in the other months leading up to trial. The evidence establishes that

even after DFPS was granted temporary conservatorship of her children and Mother

had agreed to abide by the terms of the family service plan, she tested positive for

drugs and failed to maintain contact with the agency and her children, including

A.D.N. who suffers from a serious medical condition.

                                           28
      After considering the entire record, we find that the trial court could have

reasonably formed a firm belief or conviction that termination of Mother’s parental

rights was in the best interest of M.D.N., D.J.N., A.D.N., and M.M.T.N, even though

DFPS has not yet identified an adoptive placement for M.D.N., D.J.N. and

M.M.T.N. See In re C.H., 89 S.W.3d at 28. Therefore, we hold that legally and

factually sufficient evidence supports the trial court’s finding that termination of

Mother’s parental rights was in the children’s best interest. See In re E.C.R., 402
S.W.3d at 250 (affirming termination was in child’s best interest, finding many of

the reasons supporting termination under subsection O also supported best interest

finding despite no evidence child’s foster family would, or would not, adopt him);

see also In re A.C., 394 S.W.3d 633, 642–43 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2012,

no pet.) (holding factually and legally sufficient evidence that termination was in

best interest of child where mother completed only parts of family service plan, used

illegal drugs during her pregnancy, after undergoing a treatment plan, and a month

after her child was removed); In re Robinson, 89 S.W.3d 679, 688–89 (Tex. App.—

Houston [1st Dist.] 2002, no pet.) (holding sufficient evidence supported finding that

termination in children’s best interest where mother continued to use drugs and

failed to offer evidence that she had resources to provide suitable home for children

or for their special needs and did not complete family support programs).

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                                   Conclusion

      We affirm the judgment of the trial court.

                                             Rebeca Huddle
                                             Justice

Panel consists of Justices Massengale, Brown, and Huddle.

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