Court Opinion

ID: 2854861
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-09-04 18:29:49.329178+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:17:10.774698
License: Public Domain

COURT OF APPEALS
                          SECOND DISTRICT OF TEXAS
                               FORT WORTH

                               NO. 2-09-012-CV

IN THE INTEREST OF M.F., A CHILD

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           FROM THE 323RD DISTRICT COURT OF TARRANT COUNTY

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                         MEMORANDUM OPINION 1

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                                I. INTRODUCTION

      Appellant James appeals the trial court’s order terminating his parental

rights to his child, Martha. 2 In three issues, James challenges the legal and

factual sufficiency of the evidence to support the trial court’s family code

section 161.001(1) termination ground findings and the trial court’s finding that

      1
          … See Tex. R. App. P. 47.4.
      2
       … Pursuant to Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.8(b)(2), we are using
aliases for the names of the child and the parent involved in this case.
termination of James’s parental rights to Martha is in her best interest. 3 We

will affirm.

                                   II. B ACKGROUND

      At the time of trial, Martha was approximately three years old. James,

who is the alleged biological father of Martha, admitted at trial that he is her

father. James is currently serving a five-year sentence for burglary. James has

been arrested multiple times for burglary and the unauthorized use of a motor

vehicle. His current stint in jail is not his first.

      While he was serving state jail time for the unauthorized use of a motor

vehicle, Martha’s mother began to write letters to James. 4       When he was

released, they began a romantic relationship that lasted for several years.

Martha is a child of that relationship.

      At trial, both James and Martha’s mother admitted that they were

frequent drug users both before and after Martha’s birth. James testified that

he smoked marijuana and did not work while Martha’s mother was pregnant

with her. According to James, he and Martha’s mother frequently smoked

      3
          … See Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 161.001(1) (Vernon Supp. 2009).
      4
      … Although the State has convicted James for the unauthorized use of
a motor vehicle on at least two previous occasions, the record is not clear if he
was serving time during his first or second conviction when Martha’s mother
began writing to him.

                                          2
methamphetamine and marijuana. Even though he had experienced multiple

run-ins with the law and had been incarcerated multiple times, James never

sought any type of drug treatment prior to his conviction for burglary. And

although James denies ever using drugs around Martha, the record indicates

that both he and Martha’s mother used drugs while caring for both Martha and

Martha’s older half-brother. By James’s own testimony, he used drugs while

caring for Martha’s older half-brother. When asked about this fact, James’s

response was, “This was not my child.” The record also indicates that James

knowingly left Martha with her mother at times he was aware that she would

engage in drug use.

      Martha’s mother testified that James had anger issues, and although

James’s anger would subside when he was high on drugs, his anger would

worsen after he would “[come] down off of it.” She said that his post-drug-use

anger could sometimes last for days. According to Martha’s mother, James

and she were involved in frequent bouts of domestic violence in front of both

children while the couple lived with Martha’s maternal grandfather. One such

bout persuaded the grandfather to bring officers to the house and have James

“escorted out.” The grandfather eventually asked James to leave for good after

the couple had a heated argument and the grandfather heard from neighbors

that James was selling drugs in the neighborhood. Afterwards, the couple

                                      3
broke up.     James has had little contact with Martha since she turned six

months old.

      James testified that he wished to maintain parental rights because he

would like to be a part of her life. James admitted that he could not hope to

care for Martha until some time after his release, when Martha would be

approaching seven years old. Although he testified that he was currently not

using drugs and had taken parenting classes, the Child Protective Services’

(CPS) caseworker testified that there was no evidence that James had

completed any part of his service plan.

      CPS removed Martha from her mother’s care after allegations were made

that the mother was using and selling drugs. Martha’s mother has voluntarily

relinquished her rights to Martha, believing that it is in Martha’s best interest

to live where she currently lives—with Martha’s maternal grandfather who

provides and cares for Martha and wishes to adopt her. CPS’s caseworker

testified that the grandfather provides a stable and possibly permanent home

for both Martha and her older half-brother and that it was in their best

interests—emotionally, financially, and psychologically—to stay with the

grandfather and allow him to pursue adopting them. There was also testimony

that the grandfather was concerned that once James was released, he intended

to move himself and Martha to Kansas.

                                       4
      Martha’s grandfather testified that he would provide stability and security

for Martha. He also said that if he was allowed to adopt her, it would allow

Martha to live in the same home with her half-brother, whom according to the

grandfather, she gets “along extremely well” with.

      The trial court terminated James’s parental rights, finding by clear and

convincing evidence that he knowingly placed or knowingly allowed Martha to

remain in conditions or surroundings that endangered her physical or emotional

well-being; that he engaged in conduct or knowingly placed Martha with

persons who engaged in conduct that endangered her physical or emotional

well-being; and that termination of James’s parental rights to Martha was in her

best interest. See Tex. Fam. Code Ann. §§ 161.001(1)(D), (E), 161.001(2)

(Vernon Supp. 2009). This appeal followed.

                 III. B URDEN OF P ROOF AND S TANDARD OF R EVIEW

      A   parent’s   rights   to   “the   companionship,    care,   custody,   and

management” of his or her children are constitutional interests “far more

precious than any property right.”        Santosky v. Kramer, 455 U.S. 745,

758–59, 102 S. Ct. 1388, 1397 (1982); In re M.S., 115 S.W.3d 534, 547

(Tex. 2003). “While parental rights are of constitutional magnitude, they are

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

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

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

right.” In re C.H., 89 S.W.3d 17, 26 (Tex. 2002). In a termination case, the

petitioner seeks not just to limit parental rights but to erase them

permanently—to divest the parent and child of all legal rights, privileges, duties,

and powers normally existing between them, except for the child’s right to

inherit. Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 161.206(b) (Vernon 2008); Holick v. Smith,

685 S.W.2d 18, 20 (Tex. 1985). We strictly scrutinize termination proceedings

and strictly construe involuntary termination statutes in favor of the parent.

Holick at 20–21; In re M.C.T., 250 S.W.3d 161, 167 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth

2008, no pet.).

      In proceedings to terminate the parent-child relationship brought under

section 161.001 of the family code, the petitioner must establish one ground

listed under subdivision (1) of the statute and must also prove that termination

is in the best interest of the child. Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 161.001; In re J.L.,

163 S.W.3d 79, 84 (Tex. 2005).            Both elements must be established;

termination may not be based solely on the best interest of the child as

determined by the trier of fact. Tex. Dep’t of Human Servs. v. Boyd, 727
S.W.2d 531, 533 (Tex. 1987).

      Termination decisions must be supported by clear and convincing

evidence. Tex. Fam. Code Ann. §§ 161.001, 161.206(a). Evidence is clear

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and convincing if it “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.”

Id. § 101.007 (Vernon 2008). Due process demands this heightened standard

because termination results in permanent, irrevocable changes for the parent

and child. In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d 256, 263 (Tex. 2002); see In re J.A.J., 243
S.W.3d 611, 616 (Tex. 2007) (contrasting standards for termination and

modification).

      In reviewing the evidence for legal sufficiency in parental termination

cases, we must determine whether the evidence is such that a factfinder could

reasonably form a firm belief or conviction that the grounds for termination

were proven.     In re J.P.B., 180 S.W.3d 570, 573 (Tex. 2005).          We must

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

Id. This means that we must assume that the factfinder resolved any disputed

facts in favor of its finding if a reasonable factfinder could have done so. Id.

We must also disregard all evidence that a reasonable factfinder could have

disbelieved. Id. We must consider, however, undisputed evidence even if it is

contrary to the finding. Id. That is, we must consider evidence favorable to

termination if a reasonable factfinder could and disregard contrary evidence

unless a reasonable factfinder could not. Id.

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      We must therefore consider all of the evidence, not just that which favors

the verdict. Id. But we cannot weigh witness credibility issues that depend on

the appearance and demeanor of the witnesses, for that is the factfinder’s

province.   Id. at 573–74.    And even when credibility issues appear in the

appellate record, we must defer to the factfinder’s determinations as long as

they are not unreasonable. Id. at 573.

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

deference to the factfinder’s findings and not supplant the judgment with our

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

whether, on the entire record, a factfinder could reasonably form a firm

conviction or belief that the parent violated the relevant conduct provisions of

section 161.001(1) and that the termination of the parent-child relationship

would be in the best interest of the child. C.H., 89 S.W.3d at 28. If, in light

of the entire record, the disputed evidence that a reasonable 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 conviction in the truth of its finding,

then the evidence is factually insufficient. H.R.M., 209 S.W.3d at 108.

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            IV. E VIDENTIARY S UFFICIENCY OF E NDANGERMENT F INDINGS

      In his first two issues, James argues that the evidence is legally and

factually insufficient to support the trial court’s family code section

161.001(1)(D) and (E) endangerment findings.

      Endangerment means to expose to loss or injury, to jeopardize. In re

J.T.G., 121 S.W.3d 117, 125 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2003, no pet.). The trial

court may order termination of the parent-child relationship if it finds by clear

and convincing evidence that the parent has knowingly placed or knowingly

allowed the child to remain in conditions or surroundings that endanger the

physical or emotional well-being of the child.          Tex. Fam. Code Ann.

§ 161.001(1)(D). Under subsection (D), it is necessary to examine evidence

related to the environment of the child to determine if the environment was the

source of endangerment to the child’s physical or emotional well-being. In re

D.T., 34 S.W.3d 625, 632 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2000, pet. denied).

Conduct of a parent in the home can create an environment that endangers the

physical and emotional well-being of a child. J.T.G., 121 S.W.3d at 125.

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

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

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

endangers the physical or emotional well-being of the child. Tex. Fam. Code

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

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

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

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

(E) must be based on more than a single act or omission; a voluntary,

deliberate, and conscious course of conduct by the parent is required. Id.; D.T.,
34 S.W.3d at 634.         Because the evidence pertaining to subsections

161.001(1)(D) and (E) is interrelated, we conduct a consolidated review. In re

T.N.S., 230 S.W.3d 434, 439 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2007, no pet.); J.T.G.,
121 S.W.3d at 126.

      To support a finding of endangerment, the parent’s conduct does not

necessarily have to be directed at the child, and the child is not required to

suffer injury. Boyd, 727 S.W.2d at 533. The specific danger to the child’s

well-being may be inferred from parental misconduct alone; and to determine

whether termination is necessary, courts may look to parental conduct both

before and after the child’s birth. Id.; In re D.M., 58 S.W.3d 801, 812 (Tex.

App.—Fort Worth 2001, no pet.).

      Parental and caregiver illegal drug use support a finding that the child’s

surroundings endanger her physical or emotional well-being.         J.T.G., 121
S.W.3d at 125.     Likewise, a parent’s incarceration adds support to a trial

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court’s finding that the child’s surroundings endangered her physical or

emotional well-being. Boyd, 727 S.W.2d at 533–34. This is true even though

imprisonment alone does not necessarily constitute “engaging in conduct which

endangers the emotional or physical well-being of a child.”      Id.; D.T., 34
S.W.3d at 635–36. But the State need not show incarceration was a result of

a course of conduct endangering the child; it need only show incarceration was

part of a course of conduct endangering the child.       Boyd, 727 S.W.2d at

533–34. Thus, if the evidence, including imprisonment, proves a course of

conduct that has the effect of endangering the child, the requirement of

showing that the endangerment of the child’s physical or emotional well-being

was the direct result of the parent’s conduct is met. Id. Furthermore, evidence

of exposing a child to domestic violence supports an endangerment finding.

See In re M.R., 243 S.W.3d 807, 819 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2007, no pet.)

(holding that there was legally and factually sufficient evidence of both

endangerment grounds when, among other things, the evidence showed that

the mother exposed her children to domestic violence).

      In this case, the evidence shows that James used illegal drugs before and

after Martha was born. James himself testified that he used drugs before and

after Martha’s birth. Martha’s mother also testified to James’s drug use, her

own drug use, and that both of them exposed Martha and Martha’s older half-

                                      11
brother to drugs. She also testified that James knowingly left Martha in her

care, even though he knew she was using drugs. Martha’s mother said that

James would be affected by his methamphetamine use for days, and that this

contributed to his temper and domestic violence issues.        James is also an

admitted recidivist—having been incarcerated multiple times for theft-related

crimes.   James is currently incarcerated.      And there is evidence that he

knowingly left Martha in an environment, living with her mother, where the

caregiver was using and selling drugs.

      Giving due deference to the trial court’s findings, we hold that a

reasonable trier of fact could have formed a firm belief or conviction that James

knowingly placed Martha in conditions and engaged in conduct that endangered

her physical or emotional well-being.         See Tex. Fam. Code Ann. §

161.001(1)(D), (E); J.P.B., 180 S.W.3d at 573; C.H., 89 S.W.3d at 28.

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

support the trial court’s environmental endangerment and course of conduct

endangerment findings. We overrule James’s first and second issues.

             V. E VIDENTIARY S UFFICIENCY OF B EST INTEREST F INDING

      In his third issue, James argues that the evidence is factually insufficient

to support the trial court’s best interest finding. We disagree.

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      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). Prompt

and permanent placement of the child in a safe environment is also presumed

to be in the child’s best interest. Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 263.307(a) (Vernon

2008). The following factors should be considered in evaluating the parent’s

willingness and ability to provide the child with a safe environment:

      (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 or other
      agency;

      (5) whether the child is fearful of living in or returning to the child’s
      home;

      (6) the results of psychiatric, psychological, or developmental
      evaluations of the child, the child’s parents, other family members,
      or others who have access to the child’s home;

      (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;

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      (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, including providing the child and other children under the
      family’s care with:

            (A) minimally adequate health and nutritional care;

            (B) care, nurturance, and appropriate discipline consistent
            with the child’s physical and psychological development;

            (C) guidance and supervision consistent with the child’s
            safety;

            (D) a safe physical home environment;

            (E) protection from repeated exposure to violence even
            though the violence may not be directed at the child; and

            (F) an understanding of the child’s needs and capabilities;
            and

      (13) whether an adequate social support system consisting of an
      extended family and friends is available to the child.

Id. § 263.307(b); see R.R., 209 S.W.3d at 116.

      Other, nonexclusive factors that the trier of fact in a termination case

may use in determining the best interest of the child include (a) the desires of

the child, (b) the emotional and physical needs of the child now and in the

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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 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; some listed factors may be inapplicable

to some cases; other factors not on the list may also be considered when

appropriate. C.H., 89 S.W.3d at 27. Furthermore, undisputed evidence of just

one factor may be sufficient in a particular case to support a finding that

termination is in the best interest of the child. Id. On the other hand, the

presence of scant evidence relevant to each factor will not support such a

finding. Id.

      We have already detailed above the evidence of James’s longstanding

course of illegal drug use, the mother’s drug use, and the evidence that James

knowingly exposed Martha and her half-brother to the couple’s drug use.

James also showed callus disregard for children in general when confronted

with his and the mother’s use of methamphetamine and marijuana in front of

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Martha’s half-brother by stating, “This was not my child.” Regarding Martha’s

living situation, Martha has lived with her maternal grandfather and her half-

brother since she came into foster care. Before that, James had left Martha to

live with her mother, whom James knew at the time was a frequent drug user,

and there is evidence in the record that she sold drugs.

      Regarding James’s completion of the service plan that CPS formulated for

him, James testified that he had taken parenting classes, but the CPS

caseworker testified that she had not received any certifications of completion

or information that the parenting classes he took even complied with the

service plan’s requirements. When asked specifically about the service plan,

the CPS caseworker stated, “I don’t see any services that I can say that he has

completed.” Although James testified that he sought help for his drug use from

prison counseling and is currently not addicted to drugs, he admitted that he

previously discontinued using drugs during his earlier incarceration and began

using again after he was released.     The CPS caseworker testified that she

believed termination was in Martha’s best interest and that the maternal

grandfather should be allowed to adopt her because the grandfather could

“provide the stability and the permanent home that [Martha and her half-

brother] need.” The caseworker also expressed concerns over James’s ability

to remain “clean” from his drug use.

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      As stated above, at the time of trial, Martha was living with her maternal

grandfather and half-brother. The grandfather intends to adopt both children

and keep them together.      There is evidence that Martha is bonded to the

grandfather and half-brother.

      James admitted that he would not be able to fully provide for Martha until

“six to nine months” after his release from incarceration. He also admitted that

this time period could possibly be extended to the point that Martha would be

nearing seven years old.     At that time, Martha would have lived with her

maternal grandfather for at least five years continuously.

      Considering the relevant statutory factors in evaluating James’s

willingness and ability to provide Martha with a safe environment and the Holley

factors—including her emotional and physical needs now and in the future, the

potential emotional and physical danger to her in the future if James again

begins to use drugs once released from incarceration, the parental abilities of

the grandfather who is seeking custody, and the acts or omissions of James

that indicate that the existing parent-child relationship is not a proper one, all

of which weigh in favor of termination—we conclude that in light of the entire

record and giving due consideration to evidence that the factfinder could have

reasonably found to be clear and convincing, a factfinder could reasonably have

formed a firm belief or conviction that termination of James’s parental rights to

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Martha is in her best interest. We hold that the evidence is factually sufficient

to support the trial court’s section 161.001(2) best interest finding. See Tex.

Fam. Code Ann. § 161.001(2). Accordingly, we overrule James’s third issue.

                                VI. C ONCLUSION

      Having overruled James’s three issues, we affirm the trial court’s order

terminating the parent-child relationship between James and Martha.

                                            PER CURIAM

PANEL: MEIER, GARDNER, and WALKER, JJ.

DELIVERED: December 31, 2009

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