Court Opinion

ID: 4308866
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-08-30 20:27:35.111755+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:43:12.846261
License: Public Domain

IN THE
                          TENTH COURT OF APPEALS

                                 No. 10-18-00169-CV

                   IN THE INTEREST OF L.D.W., A CHILD

                          From the County Court at Law
                              Bosque County, Texas
                             Trial Court No. CV17164

                           MEMORANDUM OPINION

       Heather S. appeals from a judgment that terminated the parent-child relationship

between her and her daughter, L.D.W. In six issues, Heather complains that the evidence

was legally and factually insufficient for the trial court to have found that she (1)

voluntarily left the child alone or in the possession of another without providing

adequate support for the child and remained away for a period of at least six (6) months

pursuant to Section 161.001(b)(1)(C) of the Family Code; (2) knowingly placed or

knowingly allowed the child to remain in conditions or surroundings which endangered

the physical or emotional well-being of the child pursuant to Section 161.001(b)(1)(D); (3)

constructively abandoned the child pursuant to Section 161.001(b)(1)(N); (4) used a
controlled substance in a manner that endangered the health or safety of the child

pursuant to Section 161.001(b)(1)(P); (5) knowingly engaged in criminal conduct that has

resulted in her conviction of an offense and confinement or imprisonment and inability

to care for the child for not less than two years from the date of the filing of the petition

pursuant to Section 161.001(b)(1)(Q); and (6) that termination was in the best interest of

the child. Because we find no reversible error, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

STANDARD OF REVIEW—LEGAL AND FACTUAL SUFFICIENCY

        The standards of review for legal and factual sufficiency in termination cases are

well-established. In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d 256, 264-68 (Tex. 2002) (legal sufficiency); In re

C.H., 89 S.W.3d 17, 25 (Tex. 2002) (factual sufficiency). In reviewing the legal sufficiency

of the evidence, we view all the evidence in the light most favorable to the finding to

determine whether a trier of fact could reasonably have formed a firm belief or conviction

about the truth of the Department's allegations. In re J.L., 163 S.W.3d 79, 84-85 (Tex. 2005);

J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d at 265-66. We do not, however, disregard undisputed evidence that does

not support the finding. J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d at 266. In reviewing the factual sufficiency of

the evidence, we must give due consideration to evidence that the factfinder could

reasonably have found to be clear and convincing. In re C.H., 89 S.W.3d at 25. We must

consider the disputed evidence and determine whether a reasonable factfinder could

have resolved that evidence in favor of the finding. Id. If the disputed evidence is so

In the Interest of L.D.W., a Child                                                      Page 2
significant that a factfinder could not reasonably have formed a firm belief or conviction,

the evidence is factually insufficient. Id.

        In assessing the sufficiency of the evidence under the foregoing standards, we

cannot weigh witness-credibility issues that depend on the appearance and demeanor of

the witnesses, for that is the factfinder's exclusive province. In re J.P.B., 180 S.W.3d at 573-

74. Instead, we defer to the factfinder's credibility determinations as long as they are not

unreasonable. Id.

SECTION 161.001(b)(1)(D)

        In her second issue, Heather contends that the evidence is legally and factually

insufficient to support the termination of her parental rights pursuant to Section

161.001(b)(1)(D) of the Family Code, which authorizes the termination of parental rights

when a parent "knowingly placed or knowingly allowed a child to remain in conditions

or surroundings that endangered the child's physical or emotional well-being." TEX. FAM.

CODE ANN. § 161.001(b)(1)(D).

        A child is endangered when the environment creates a potential for danger that

the parent is aware of but disregards. In re S.M.L., 171 S.W.3d 472, 477 (Tex. App.—

Houston [14th Dist.] 2005, no pet.). In reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence pursuant

to Section 161.001(b)(1)(D), "we must examine the time before the [child]'s removal to

determine whether the environment [of the home] posed a danger to the child's physical

or emotional well-being." In re L.C., 145 S.W.3d 790, 795 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2004, no

In the Interest of L.D.W., a Child                                                       Page 3
pet.). Subsection (D) permits termination of parental rights based on a single act or

omission by the parent. In re A.B., 125 S.W.3d 769, 776 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2003, pet.

denied). Additionally, "illegal drug use by a parent likewise supports the conclusion that

the children's surroundings endanger their physical or emotional well-being." In re L.E.S.,

471 S.W.3d 915, 925 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2005, no pet.) (citing In re J.T.G., 121 S.W.3d
117, 125 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2003, no pet.).

        Heather left L.D.W. in the possession of L.D.W.’s father, David, who Heather knew

had a history of methamphetamine use, although Heather claimed to not know that he

was using at the time she left L.D.W. David had taken L.D.W. to the residence of another

known drug user although Heather claimed that she did not know he would take the

child there. The caseworker testified that David initially made a referral against Heather

due to concerns about Heather's drug usage but would not take a drug test himself when

requested by the Department. It was determined that both David and Heather were drug

users which led to the placement of L.D.W. with David's sister and brother-in-law. The

caseworker testified that both Heather and David had an extensive history with the

Department.

        Heather had been convicted for possession of a controlled substance in a

correctional facility and escape and was incarcerated throughout the case. Heather

admitted to being a drug user since the age of 15, and had voluntarily relinquished her

In the Interest of L.D.W., a Child                                                   Page 4
parental rights to her three other children due to drug use after the Department had

removed them from her.

        In our evidentiary review of this issue, we have found no evidentiary disputes

which could not reasonably be resolved in favor of termination by a reasonable factfinder.

We also find no factfinder determinations based on credibility of witnesses that we

conclude were unreasonable. As to this issue, we conclude a reasonable factfinder could

have found the evidence clear and convincing in support of termination. In light of the

entire record of the termination hearing, we conclude the evidence allowed the factfinder

reasonably to form a firm belief or conviction supporting each element of proof

supporting termination of Heather's parental rights pursuant to Section 161.001(b)(1)(D).

We find that the evidence was legally and factually sufficient for the trial court to have

found that by leaving L.D.W. with David, a known drug user, Heather knew of a risk but

disregarded it and by doing so, "knowingly placed or knowingly allowed a child to

remain in conditions or surroundings that endangered the child's physical or emotional

well-being." We overrule issue two. Because the evidence as to only one predicate

ground must be sufficient to support the judgment, we do not need to address issues one,

three, four, or five. See In re A.V., 113 S.W.3d 355, 362 (Tex. 2003).

BEST INTEREST

        In her sixth issue, Heather complains that the evidence was legally and factually

insufficient for the trial court to have found that termination of the parent-child

In the Interest of L.D.W., a Child                                                  Page 5
relationship was in the best interest of L.D.W. There is a strong presumption that keeping

a child with a parent is in the child's best interest. In re R.R., 209 S.W.3d 112, 116 (Tex.

2006). Nonexclusive factors that the trier of fact in a termination case may also use in

determining the best interest of the child include the following: (A) the desires of the

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

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

abilities of the individuals seeking custody; (E) the programs available to assist these

individuals to promote the best interest of the child; (F) the plans for the child by these

individuals or by the agency seeking custody; (G) the stability of the home or proposed

placement; (H) the acts or omissions of the parent which may indicate that the existing

parent-child relationship is not a proper one; and (I) any excuse for the acts or omissions

of the parent. Holley v. Adams, 544 S.W.2d 367, 371-72 (Tex. 1976). These factors are not

exhaustive, and some listed factors may be inapplicable to some cases. C.H., 89 S.W.3d

at 27. Furthermore, undisputed evidence of just one factor may be sufficient in a

particular case to support a finding that termination is in the best interest of the child. Id.

On the other hand, the presence of scant evidence relevant to each factor will not support

such a finding. Id.

        L.D.W. was in a placement with David's sister and brother-in-law, which was

described as "a loving home." It was the plan for L.D.W. to remain there, where she was

very happy and well cared for, according to the CASA worker who recommended

In the Interest of L.D.W., a Child                                                       Page 6
termination as being in L.D.W.'s best interest. L.D.W. was approximately seventeen

months old at the time of the final hearing. The caseworker testified that she had no

concerns about L.D.W. in her current placement and that she was doing exceptionally

well and was very happy. L.D.W. had not seen her mother in the year the case was

pending. When a child is too young to express her desires, the factfinder may consider

that the child is well cared for in her current placement and has spent minimal time with

a parent. In re L.G.R., 498 S.W.3d 195, 205 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2016, pet.

denied); In re J.D., 436 S.W.3d 105, 118 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2014, no pet.).

        Prior to Heather's decision to leave L.D.W. with David, who she knew was a drug

user, Heather had been living with a man who she planned to marry upon her release

from incarceration. The man testified that he wasn't sure but "had my assumptions" that

Heather had been using methamphetamine prior to her arrest. Heather tested positive

for methamphetamine when she was arrested and admitted to having used drugs since

the age of 15. Heather had voluntarily relinquished her parental rights to her other three

children who had been removed from her due to her drug use. A parent's drug use

supports a finding that termination of parental rights is in the best interest of the child,

and the factfinder can afford great weight to the significant factor of drug-related

conduct. See In re L.G.R., 498 S.W.3d at 204.

        Heather was incarcerated at the time of trial and at the earliest, would be released

approximately five or six months after the final hearing. She had sent cards and a gift

In the Interest of L.D.W., a Child                                                    Page 7
but no other financial support to L.D.W. Heather wanted L.D.W. to be placed with her

mother where her other three children had been placed, but the Department had not

considered her mother for placement because L.D.W. had already been placed with a

relative.

        Based on our review of the record in conjunction with the Holley factors listed

above, we find that the evidence was both legally and factually sufficient for the trial

court to have found that termination of the parent-child relationship was in the best

interest of L.D.W. We overrule issue six.

CONCLUSION

        Having found no reversible error, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

                                            TOM GRAY
                                            Chief Justice

Before Chief Justice Gray,
       Justice Davis, and
       Justice Scoggins
Affirmed
Opinion delivered and filed August 29, 2018
[CV06]

In the Interest of L.D.W., a Child                                                     Page 8