Court Opinion

ID: 4023029
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-08-10 09:14:59.094913+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:47:53.365967
License: Public Domain

Opinion issued August 4, 2016

                                        In The

                                Court of Appeals
                                       For The

                           First District of Texas
                             ————————————
                                NO. 01-16-00229-CV
                                NO. 01-16-00230-CV
                             ———————————
                                IN RE B.M., Relator

            Original Proceeding on Petition for Writ of Mandamus

                             DISSENTING OPINION

      [T]he interest of parents in the care, custody, and control of their
      children . . . is perhaps the oldest of the fundamental liberty interests
      recognized . . . .[1]

      Relator, B.M., has filed two petitions for a writ of mandamus, seeking to

vacate “Temporary Order[s] Following Adversary Hearing” in the underlying trial

1
      Troxel v. Granville, 530 U.S. 57, 65, 120 S. Ct. 2054, 2060 (2000)).
court proceedings.2 In two issues, relator contends that respondent3 erred in not

returning relator’s three children to their home with her and the statutory standard,

i.e., “sufficient evidence to satisfy a person of ordinary prudence and caution,”4

violates the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments of the United States Constitution.5

Relator asks this Court to order respondent to dissolve the February 10, 2016

“Temporary Order Following Adversary Hearing” in each trial court cause number.

Because the majority errs in denying relator’s petition, I respectfully dissent.

                                    Background

      These mandamus proceedings arise from two trial court proceedings in which

real party in interest, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services

(“DFPS”), filed petitions for protection of relator’s three children.

      Relator and real party in interest, W.F., are the divorced parents of a thirteen-

year-old daughter, J.L.F., and an eleven-year-old son, G.W.F. Under their 2009

divorce decree, relator and W.F. are joint managing conservators of J.L.F. and W.F.,

2
      The proceeding underlying appellate cause no. 01-16-00229-CV is In the Interest
      of J.L.F. and G.W.F., Children, cause number 2008-03683, in the 311th District
      Court of Harris County, the Honorable Alicia Franklin York presiding. The
      proceeding underlying appellate cause no. 01-16-00230-CV is In the Interest of
      G.J.H., a Child, cause number 2015-42486, in the 311th District Court of Harris
      County, the Honorable Alicia Franklin York presiding.
3
      The Honorable Alicia Franklin York, Judge, the 311th District Court of Harris
      County, Texas.
4
      See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 262.201(b) (Vernon Supp. 2015).
5
      U.S. CONST. amends. IV, XIV, § 1.

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and relator has the right to designate the children’s primary residence. Real party in

interest, R.H., is the father of relator’s eleven-month-old daughter, G.J.H., and he

has the rights of a possessory conservator.6

      On December 14, 2015, DFPS received a referral for “[p]hysical [a]buse” of

G.W.F, alleging that relator “used inappropriate discipline,” “hitting” G.W.F. “in the

eye,” and G.W.F. “was observed with a black and swollen eye which he state[d] he

received from his mother.”7 Relator and DFPS agreed that G.W.F. would stay with

W.F. while DFPS worked with relator. Three days later, relator “broke [the]

agreement” and “retrieved” G.W.F. from W.F. “with the assistance of law

enforcement.”

      After this incident, DFPS, on December 21, 2015, filed motions to modify

conservatorship and for termination of relator’s parental rights in the underlying

cases. And respondent, on the same date, signed orders appointing DFPS as the

children’s temporary sole managing conservator until a full adversary hearing.

Respondent then extended the December 21, 2015 orders and set a hearing for

January 6, 2016. Relator answered DFPS’s petitions and filed emergency motions

6
      As indicated by relator in her petitions, the children were thirteen years old, eleven
      years old, and eleven-months old when they were removed from their home by
      DFPS in December 2015.
7
      There is no evidence in the record that relator was charged with, much less convicted
      of, the criminal offense of injury to a child. See TEX. PENAL CODE ANN. § 22.04
      (Vernon Supp. 2015).

                                            3
to dissolve respondent’s orders as to her daughters, J.L.F. and G.J.H., and to be

reinstated as their managing conservator. W.F. answered DFPS’s petitions and filed

a counter-petition, requesting appointment as sole managing conservator of J.L.F.

and G.W.F. W.F. also requested that respondent deny relator unsupervised access

to J.L.F. and G.W.F. And R.H. filed his answer.

       The trial court held an adversary hearing over several days. At the end of the

hearing, the trial court stated:

       The Court finds there was a danger to the physical health or safety of the
       children that was caused by an act or failure to act of the person entitled
       to possession; and for the children to remain in the home is contrary to
       the welfare of the children; and the urgency for protection required
       removal of the children; and reasonable efforts consistent with
       circumstances in providing for the safety of the children remain to
       eliminate or prevent the removal; and reasonable efforts have been made
       to be able to return the children home, but there is a substantial risk of
       continuing danger if the children were returned home.

       The Court is issuing a temporary order for the safety and welfare of the
       children; and that order is in the best interest of the children. The Court
       is naming [DFPS] as the temporary sole managing conservator of the
       children.

       The proposed placement of the children in the 2008 cause number is
       approved. The proposed placement in the 2015 cause number with the
       approved home study is approved, should my ad litem and CPS have an
       agreement as to placement.

Relator’s counsel objected, stating, “We’re challenging the sufficient evidence to

satisfy a person of ordinary prudence and caution of a continuing danger to the health

and safety of the child standard as unconstitutional under the Fourth and Fourteenth

                                           4
Amendments on its face under the due process cause.”           Respondent answered

“Okay.”

      On February 10, 2016, respondent signed orders appointing DFPS as

temporary managing conservator of the children. The record reveals that J.L.F. and

G.W.F. were placed with W.F. and, at the time of hearing, G.J.H. was placed in foster

care. The record also reveals that a home study was approved for G.J.H.’s placement

with her aunt, relator’s sister; G.J.H. would be placed with her aunt; and relator

wished for that placement if G.J.H. was not returned to relator.

                                Standard of Review

      Mandamus is an extraordinary remedy available to correct a clear abuse of

discretion when there is no adequate remedy by appeal. In re Prudential Ins. Co. of

Am., 148 S.W.3d 124, 135–36 (Tex. 2004). A trial court abuses its discretion if it

fails to analyze or apply the law correctly. Walker v. Packer, 827 S.W.2d 833, 840

(Tex. 1992). In regard to factual issues, we may not substitute our judgment for that

of the trial court. Id. at 839. Relator must establish that the trial court could have

reached only one conclusion. Id. at 840; see also In re Allen, 359 S.W.3d 284, 288

(Tex. App.—Texarkana 2012, orig. proceeding) (“Where, as here, a relator seeks to

overrule a decision based on factual issues or matters committed to the trial court’s

discretion, she has the burden to show the trial court could have reached only one

decision on the facts.”). Further, we cannot reach contested issues of fact in a

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mandamus proceeding. In re Tex. Windstorm Ins. Ass’n, 417 S.W.3d 119, 130 (Tex.

App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2013, orig. proceeding) (citing In re Pirelli Tire, L.L.C.,

247 S.W.3d 670, 686 (Tex. 2007); In re Angelini, 186 S.W.3d 558, 560 (Tex. 2006)).

      When a party challenges the legal sufficiency relative to an adverse finding

on which she did not bear the burden of proof, she must show that no evidence

supports the finding. See Exxon Corp. v. Emerald Oil & Gas Co., L.C., 348 S.W.3d
194, 215 (Tex. 2011).       We will sustain a legal-sufficiency or “no-evidence”

challenge if the record shows one of the following: (1) a complete absence of

evidence of a vital fact; (2) rules of law or evidence bar the court from giving weight

to the only evidence offered to prove a vital fact; (3) the evidence offered to prove a

vital fact is no more than a scintilla; or (4) the evidence establishes conclusively the

opposite of the vital fact. City of Keller v. Wilson, 168 S.W.3d 802, 810 (Tex. 2005).

In conducting a legal-sufficiency review, a “court must consider evidence in the light

most favorable to the verdict, and indulge every reasonable inference that would

support it.” Id. at 822. The term “inference” means:

      In the law of evidence, a truth or proposition drawn from another which
      is supposed or admitted to be true. A process of reasoning by which a
      fact or proposition sought to be established is deduced as a logical
      consequence from other facts, or a state of facts, already proved . . . .

Marshall Field Stores, Inc. v. Gardiner, 859 S.W.2d 391, 400 (Tex. App.—Houston

[1st Dist.] 1993, writ dism’d w.o.j.) (quoting Inference, BLACK’S LAW DICTIONARY

                                           6
(5th ed. 1979)). For a factfinder to infer a fact, “it must be able to deduce that fact

as a logical consequence from other proven facts.” Id.

      If there is more than a scintilla of evidence to support the challenged finding,

we must uphold it. Formosa Plastics Corp. USA v. Presidio Eng’rs & Contractors,

Inc., 960 S.W.2d 41, 48 (Tex. 1998). “[W]hen the evidence offered to prove a vital

fact is so weak as to do no more than create a mere surmise or suspicion of its

existence, the evidence is no more than a scintilla and, in legal effect, is no

evidence.” Ford Motor Co. v. Ridgway, 135 S.W.3d 598, 601 (Tex. 2004) (quoting

Kindred v. Con/Chem, Inc., 650 S.W.2d 61, 63 (Tex. 1983)). However, if the

evidence at trial would enable reasonable and fair-minded people to differ in their

conclusions, then factfinders must be allowed to do so. City of Keller, 168 S.W.3d

at 822; see also King Ranch, Inc. v. Chapman, 118 S.W.3d 742, 751 (Tex. 2003).

“A reviewing court cannot substitute its judgment for that of the trier-of-fact, so long

as the evidence falls within this zone of reasonable disagreement.” City of Keller,
168 S.W.3d at 822.

      Because temporary orders are not appealable, mandamus is an appropriate

remedy when a trial court abuses its discretion in issuing temporary orders in a suit

affecting the parent-child relationship. See In re Derzapf, 219 S.W.3d 327, 335 (Tex.

2007); In re McDaniel, 408 S.W.3d 389, 396 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2011,

orig. proceeding).

                                           7
                                    No Evidence

      In her first issue, relator argues that respondent erred in not returning relator’s

three children to their home with her at the conclusion of the adversary hearing

because DFPS “made no reasonable effort to enable the return” of the children, nor

did it “identify any substantial risk of continuing danger if they were allowed to

return home.” See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 262.201(b)(3) (Vernon Supp. 2015).

She further asserts that DFPS presented “no evidence of a danger to the physical

health or safety” of the children “caused by” her or that having the children remain

in her custody “would have been contrary to the[ir] welfare.”                   See id.

§ 262.201(b)(1). Thus, according to relator, respondent could have reached only one

decision based on the facts—to return the children to their home with her.

      Texas Family Code Chapter 262 governs the procedures and substantive

requirements by which DFPS may take possession of a child in order to protect the

child’s health and safety. See id. § 262.001–.353 (Vernon 2014 & Supp. 2015).

Under Chapter 262, DFPS may, under certain circumstances, take emergency

possession of a child without prior notice and a full hearing. See id. §§ 262.101,

262.102.

      Here, after DFPS removed the children in the instant case, respondent was

required to hold an adversary hearing to determine whether to return the children to

relator. See id. § 262.201(a). And after such an adversary hearing, respondent was

                                           8
required to order the children’s return to relator pending a full adjudication of

parental rights, unless respondent found “sufficient evidence to satisfy a person of

ordinary prudence and caution” that:

      (1)   there was a danger to the physical health or safety of the
            child, . . . which was caused by an act or failure to act of the
            person entitled to possession and for the child to remain in the
            home is contrary to the welfare of the child;

      (2)   the urgent need for protection required the immediate removal of
            the child and reasonable efforts, consistent with the
            circumstances and providing for the safety of the child, were
            made to eliminate or prevent the child’s removal; and

      (3)   reasonable efforts have been made to enable the child to return
            home, but there is a substantial risk of a continuing danger if the
            child is returned home.

Id. § 262.201(b); see In re E.C.R., 402 S.W.3d 239, 247 (Tex. 2013).

      As Texas Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman has recently noted, emergency

orders “authorizing [DFPS] to take possession of . . . children without prior notice

or hearing” are “extreme measure[s] that may be taken only when circumstances

indicate a danger to the physical health and welfare of the child[ren] and the need

for [the children’s] protection is so urgent that immediate removal from the home is

necessary.” In re C.T., No. 15-0098, --- S.W.3d ---, 2016 WL 3212494, at *4 (Tex.

June 10, 2016) (Guzman, J., dissenting from denial of petition for writ of mandamus)

(emphasis added) (internal quotations omitted) (quoting In re Pate, 407 S.W.3d 416,

419 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2013, orig. proceeding). Notably, “[t]o limit

                                         9
the profound detrimental consequences that can result from unjustified emergency

removal, the Legislature [has] mandated that a full adversary hearing be held shortly

after an emergency removal, so children who are not endangered can be returned to

their loved ones as promptly as possible.” Id. (emphasis added); see also In re

E.D.L., 105 S.W.3d 679, 688 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2003, pet. denied) (“[T]he

purpose of section 262[.201] is to afford parents the opportunity to challenge

[DFPS]’s right to retain any children whom [it] has taken into custody under an ex

parte order from the court.”).

      Continued removal of a child is warranted only if he faces a continuing danger

to his physical health or safety. In re E.C.R., 402 S.W.3d at 247 (citing TEX. FAM.

CODE ANN. § 262.201(b)–(c)). “Unless evidence demonstrates the existence of each

of the requirements of section 262.201(b), the [trial] court is required to return the

child to the custody of his parents pending litigation.” In re Pate, 407 S.W.3d at 419

(emphasis added) (citing In re Steed, No. 03-08-00235-CV, 2008 WL 2132014, at

*1 (Tex. App.—Austin May 22, 2008, orig. proceeding) (mem. op.)); see TEX. FAM.

CODE ANN. § 262.201(b) (court “shall order the return of the child to the parent”).

It is DFPS’s burden to prove that “it is entitled to maintain possession of the removed

child.” In re C.T., 2016 WL 3212494, at *4; see In re Pate, 407 S.W.3d at 420; In

re Steed, 2008 WL 2132014, at *4.

                                          10
      Here, as relator asserts, a thorough review of the record reveals that DFPS

failed to present to respondent legally-sufficient evidence to support respondent’s

decision not to return relator’s three children to their home with her. There is no

evidence in the record that would support an inference that there is a danger to the

physical health or safety of the children caused by an act or failure to act of relator,

nor that for the children to remain in their home is contrary to their welfare. See

TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 262.201(b)(1). There is also no evidence that an urgent

need for protection required the immediate removal of the children, nor that DFPS

made reasonable efforts, consistent with the circumstances and providing for the

safety of the children, to eliminate or prevent the children’s removal. See id.

§ 262.201(b)(2). And there is no evidence that DFPS made reasonable efforts to

enable the children to return home, nor that there is a substantial risk of a continuing

danger if the children are returned home. See id. § 262.201(b)(3).

      Thus, as relator asserts, respondent had no choice but to order the return of

the children to their home with relator at the conclusion of the adversary hearing.

See id. § 262.201(b); In re Pate, 407 S.W.3d at 419. Accordingly, I would sustain

relator’s first issue, conditionally grant her petitions for writ of mandamus, and direct

respondent to vacate the “Temporary Order Following Adversary Hearing” in each

trial court cause number and order the three children returned home to their mother.

                                           11
See In re Pate, 407 S.W.3d at 418–20 (finding mandamus relief appropriate when

child not returned at conclusion of adversary hearing).

                                              Terry Jennings
                                              Justice

Panel consists of Chief Justice Radack and Justices Jennings and Lloyd.

Jennings, J., dissenting.

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