Court Opinion

ID: 3112623
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-10-16 07:06:22.656067+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:44:59.193327
License: Public Domain

Fourth Court of Appeals
                                      San Antonio, Texas
                                  MEMORANDUM OPINION
                                          No. 04-13-00651-CV

                   IN THE INTEREST OF A.C.M., D.S.M., and N.J.H., Children

                      From the 150th Judicial District Court, Bexar County, Texas
                                   Trial Court No. 2012-PA-00970
                         Honorable Charles E. Montemayor, Judge Presiding

Opinion by:       Marialyn Barnard, Justice

Sitting:          Catherine Stone, Chief Justice
                  Marialyn Barnard, Justice
                  Rebeca C. Martinez, Justice

Delivered and Filed: December 4, 2013

AFFIRMED

           This is an appeal from a trial court’s order terminating appellant A.M.’s parental rights to

her children, A.C.M., D.S.M., and N.J.H. In the order of termination, the trial court determined

A.M. had violated sections (N), (O), and (R) of section 161.001(1) of the Texas Family Code. See

TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 161.001(1)(N), (O), (R) (West Supp. 2013). The trial court further

determined termination would be in the best interests of the children pursuant to section

161.001(2). Id. § 161.001(2). On appeal, A.M. does not challenge the grounds for termination as

determined by the trial court, but contends the evidence is legally and factually insufficient to

support the trial court’s determination that termination was in the children’s best interests. After

reviewing the evidence under the appropriate standards of review, we affirm the trial court’s

judgment.
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                                        Standard of Review

       As set forth in the Texas Family Code, a court may terminate a parent’s parental rights only

upon proof by clear and convincing evidence that the parent has committed an act prohibited by

section 161.001(1) of the Texas Family Code (“the Code”), and that termination is in the best

interest of the child. Id. § 161.001(1), (2); In re J.O.A., 283 S.W.3d 336, 344 (Tex. 2009); In re

E.A.G., 373 S.W.3d 129, 140 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2012, pet. denied). As defined by the

Family Code, clear and convincing evidence is “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 ANN. § 101.007 (West 2008); see In re J.O.A., 283 S.W.3d at 344; In re E.A.G., 373
S.W.3d at 140. Courts must abide by this heightened standard because termination results in

permanent and unalterable changes for both parent and child, implicating due process. In re

E.A.G., 373 S.W.3d at 140. Under the heightened standard, the reviewing court asks whether the

evidence is such that a factfinder could reasonably form a firm belief or conviction that the grounds

for termination were proven and that the termination was in the best interest of the child. In re

J.P.B., 180 S.W.3d 570, 573 (Tex. 2005).

       In reviewing legal sufficiency of the evidence in termination cases, we view the evidence

in the light most favorable to the trial court’s findings and judgment. Id. Disputed facts, if any,

are resolved in favor of the lower court’s findings, if a reasonable factfinder could have so resolved

such facts. Id. We must disregard all evidence that a reasonable factfinder could have disbelieved.

Id. And, we are mandated to consider undisputed evidence even if it is contrary to the trial court’s

findings. Id. In other words, we consider evidence favorable to termination if a reasonable

factfinder could, and we disregard contrary evidence unless a reasonable factfinder could not. Id.

       We are not permitted to weigh credibility issues that depend on the appearance and

demeanor of witnesses; credibility issues are generally within the province of the factfinder. Id.
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at 573–74. Even when credibility issues appear in the appellate record, we defer to the trier of

fact’s determinations as long as they are not unreasonable. Id. at 573.

       In a factual sufficiency review, the appellate court gives due deference to the factfinder’s

findings; the reviewing court must refrain from substituting its judgment for that of the factfinder.

In re H.R.M., 209 S.W.3d 105, 108 (Tex. 2006). “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.” Id. (quoting In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d 256, 266

(Tex. 2002)).

                                        Law on Best Interest

       We recognize the existence of a strong presumption that keeping parents and children

together is in a child’s best interest. In re R.R., 209 S.W.3d 112, 116 (Tex. 2006) (per curiam).

Despite this, we also presume that prompt and permanent placement of the child in a safe

environment is in a child’s best interest. TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 263.307(a) (West 2008). In

Holley v. Adams, the supreme court set forth the now well-established factors courts consider when

making a best interest determination:

       (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 to the child now and in the future;

       (4) the parental abilities of 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;

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       (8) the acts or omissions of the parent which may indicate that the existing parent-
           child relationship is not a proper one; and

       (9) any excuse for the acts or omissions of the parent.

544 S.W.2d 367, 371–72 (Tex. 1976). These factors are not all inclusive, and it is not required

that all factors be present before a court can terminate parental rights. In re C.H., 89 S.W.3d 17,

27 (Tex. 2002). A failure to provide evidence relative to some of the Holley factors does not

preclude a factfinder from reasonably forming a strong conviction or belief that termination is in

a child’s best interest. Id. Additionally, although it is true that proof of acts or omissions under

section 161.001(1) of the Texas Family Code does not relieve the Texas Department of Family

and Protective Services (“the Department”) from proving the best interest of the child, the same

evidence may be probative of both issues. Id. at 28 (citing Holley, 544 S.W.2d at 370; Wiley v.

Spratlan, 543 S.W.2d 349, 351 (Tex. 1976)).

                                           Application

       Appellant A.M. is the mother of the children. At the August 26, 2013 trial, she testified

she had not visited N.J.H. since January 2012, and had not visited the other two children since

sometime in May 2012. With regard to her lack of visitation, A.M. admitted “there’s no reason”

for her lack of visitation. She then stated she was upset and was unable to reach her case worker.

A.M. admitted her failure to visit the children for such an extended period of time was harmful.

She admitted she had failed to complete her individual therapy or drug treatment as required by

the service plan, which she was ordered to complete. However, she stated she did not complete

her individual therapy because her case worker never told her where to go, albeit she never asked.

As for drug therapy, A.M. claimed she was currently in therapy at the San Antonio Substance

Abuse Clinic, but could not provide any documentation to support her claim. A.M. agreed

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visitation and the required therapy were important, especially the drug therapy given that N.J.H.

was born addicted to a controlled substance.

       A.M. testified she did not have a place of her own to live, but she was living with a cousin.

She stated she had been living with her cousin for some time, but had not provided her case worker

with the address, stating “No, I haven’t talked to her at all.” Although she stated she had looked

for employment, A.M. admitted she was still unemployed and had been unemployed for the

duration of the case. Given her failure to find work, A.M. had not paid the $350.00 in child support

as required.

       A.M. testified she wished to keep her parental rights and would “fight tooth and nail for

my kids.” She stated she could provide a safe home for the children.

       After A.M. testified, Allison Shoot, the case worker for the Department testified. Shoot

testified the children – ages 6, 4, and 1 – were all born drug addicted, suffering withdrawal

symptoms after birth. Shoot also testified A.M. was still taking some form of opiates as of the last

court hearing, and on May 13, 2013, A.M. refused a drug test and on June 25, 2013, was asked to

submit to a drug test but was “unable to.” According to Shoot, A.M. has not completed her service

plan, specifically failing to complete individual therapy or drug treatment. Additionally, as A.M.

admitted, there has been no visitation with any of the children for some time and a complete failure

to pay child support. Admittedly, A.M. has had three different case workers, but since the

inception of the case, A.M. had the same supervisor whose telephone number remained the same

throughout the case.

       Shoot testified all three children are in foster care. N.J.H., who is a one-year-old male, is

in a foster home in which the foster parents wish to adopt him. He has been with these foster

parents since he was released from the hospital after his birth. When asked if N.J.H. had bonded

with his foster parents, Shoot replied, “Very much so.”
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        Shoot advised that she attempted to contact the sister of N.J.H.’s father about placement,

but she hung up on Shoot and had not returned follow-up calls. Shoot testified N.J.H. will require

additional services as he ages. Specifically, he will need speech and physical therapy, and he has

a skin condition that requires close monitoring. He is currently receiving the required therapies in

his foster home, as well as treatment for his skin condition.

        The other two children, girls ages six and five, are not in a home that desires to adopt them,

but Shoot stated she has spoken with the foster parents and they have requested additional time to

consider adoption. Shoot informed the trial court that if the current foster parents were unwilling

to adopt, she would find them a foster home willing to adopt. Originally the girls were placed with

their maternal grandmother, but had to be removed. They were not placed in the same foster home

as N.J.H. because there was no room for them. However, N.J.H. visits with his sisters once a

month or more.

        Shoot testified both girls are in speech and physical therapy. Apparently the older girl was

overweight, but has now lost fifteen pounds and is on a healthy diet and exercise regimen. She is

now very active. Both girls have a routine, are involved in activities, and are thriving.

        According to Shoot, all three children are adoptable, and a permanent home can be found

for all three within a reasonable amount of time. Shoot concluded by stating termination of A.M.’s

parental rights was in the best interests of all three children.

        The Department also called the CASA volunteer, Lynn Mays, to testify. Mays testified

she had been involved in the case since its inception. Mays stated she had “extensive contact”

with A.M. throughout the case. She discussed the service plan with A.M. at length, noting she still

had no proof of employment, no proof of stable housing, and no proof A.M. was active in drug

treatment. A.M. would admit she needed to take care of these requirements, but did not. Mays

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opined that A.M. did not appear to be taking their discussions about the service plan seriously.

The last time Mays saw A.M. was on May 13, 2013, when she refused to take the drug test.

       At trial, A.M. never challenged or disputed the claims, which the trial court ultimately

found to be true, that she: (1) constructively abandoned the children, (2) failed to comply with the

court-ordered service plan, and (3) was the cause of the children being born addicted to a controlled

substance See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 161.001(1)(N), (O), (R).

       After considering the evidence, the Holley factors, the undisputed acts or omissions under

section 161.001(1) of the Texas Family Code, and the applicable standards of review, we hold

there is legally and factually sufficient evidence to support the trial court’s determination that

termination of A.M.’s parental rights was in best interests of all three children. We hold that under

the clear and convincing standard, the evidence is such that the trial court could reasonably have

formed a firm belief or conviction that termination was in the children’s best interests. See In re

J.P.B., 180 S.W.3d at 573.

                                            Conclusion

       Accordingly, based on the foregoing, we overrule A.M.’s issues and affirm the trial court’s

judgment.

                                                  Marialyn Barnard, Justice

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