Court Opinion

ID: 3122856
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-10-16 14:33:13.675801+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:24:09.526009
License: Public Domain

Fourth Court of Appeals
                                      San Antonio, Texas
                                 MEMORANDUM OPINION
                                         No. 04-12-00590-CV

                               IN THE INTEREST OF J.A.M., a Child

                     From the 150th Judicial District Court, Bexar County, Texas
                                  Trial Court No. 2011-PA-01977
                               Honorable Larry Noll, Judge Presiding

Opinion by:       Marialyn Barnard, Justice

Sitting:          Phylis J. Speedlin, Justice
                  Rebecca Simmons, Justice
                  Marialyn Barnard, Justice

Delivered and Filed: December 19, 2012

AFFIRMED

           Appellant O.M., father of J.A.M., appeals the trial court’s order terminating his parental

rights to J.A.M., a minor child. On appeal, O.M. raises a single issue, contending the trial court

erred in terminating his parental rights because the evidence was insufficient to establish

termination was in J.A.M.’s best interest. We affirm the trial court’s judgment.

                                              BACKGROUND

           J.A.M. was born July 30, 2011. At birth, J.A.M. tested positive for cocaine. At the time

of J.A.M.’s birth, O.M. was incarcerated for possession of a controlled substance. On August 5,

2011, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (“the Department”), sought and

received an emergency order for protection relating to J.A.M. The Department also filed a
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petition seeking to terminate O.M.’s parental rights, as well as the parental rights of J.A.M.’s

mother. In December 2011, J.A.M. was placed in a foster home with his two older half-brothers.

           On March 19, 2012, a hearing was held before an associate judge. On March 29, 2012,

the associate judge signed an order terminating O.M.’s parental rights to J.A.M. The associate

judge also terminated the parental rights of J.A.M.’s mother. O.M. requested a hearing de novo.

Thereafter, a hearing was held before the district court. At the conclusion of the hearing, the trial

court granted the Department’s request for termination. The trial court signed an order of

termination on August 31, 2012. In that order, the trial court found O.M.’s parental rights should

be terminated because he: (1) constructively abandoned J.A.M.; (2) failed to comply with a court

order that established the actions necessary for him to obtain the return of J.A.M.; and (3)

knowingly engaged in criminal conduct that resulted in his conviction for an offense and

confinement and inability to care for J.A.M. for two years or more from the date of the filing of

the petition. See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 161.001(1)(N), (O), (Q) (West Supp. 2012). The trial

court also determined parental termination would be in J.A.M.’s best interest.                                    See id.

§ 161.001(2). After his parental rights were terminated, O.M. perfected this appeal. 1

                                                         ANALYSIS

           In this appeal, O.M. challenges only the legal and factual sufficiency of the evidence to

support the trial court’s finding that termination was in J.A.M.’s best interest. He does not

challenge the trial court’s findings related to the specific grounds for termination.

                                                  Standard of Review

           Parental rights may be terminated 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.                           TEX. FAM. CODE ANN.

1
    The trial court also terminated the parental rights of J.A.M.’s mother, but she is not part of this appeal.

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                                                                                   04-12-00590-CV

§ 161.001(1), (2) (West Supp. 2012); 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).                 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 also In re J.O.A., 283 S.W.3d at 344; In re E.A.G., 373 S.W.3d at

140.   This heightened standard is required by due process because termination results in

permanent and irrevocable changes for the parent and the child. In re E.A.G., 373 S.W.3d at

140. Under the clear and convincing standard, we ask 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 evaluating the evidence for legal sufficiency in parental termination cases, we review

all the evidence in the light most favorable to the finding and judgment. Id. We resolve any

disputed facts in favor of the finding if a reasonable factfinder could have done so. Id. We

disregard all evidence that a reasonable factfinder could have disbelieved. Id. We consider

undisputed evidence even if it is contrary to the finding. Id. That is, we consider evidence

favorable to termination if a reasonable factfinder could, and we disregard contrary evidence

unless a reasonable factfinder could not. Id.

       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 defer to the factfinder’s determinations as long as they

are not unreasonable. Id. at 573.

       In reviewing the evidence for factual sufficiency, we give due deference to the

factfinder’s findings and do not supplant the judgment with our own. In re H.R.M., 209 S.W.3d
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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

       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) (per curiam). However, 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) (West 2008). It is well-established that the primary

factors to consider when evaluating whether termination is in the best interest of the child are the

familiar Holley factors, which 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 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;

       (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.

Holley v. Adams, 544 S.W.2d 367, 371–72 (Tex. 1976). These factors are not exhaustive and

need not all be proved as a condition precedent to termination. In re C.H., 89 S.W.3d 17, 27

(Tex. 2002). The absence of evidence about some of the Holley factors would not preclude a
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factfinder from reasonably forming a strong conviction or belief that termination is in a child’s

best interest. Id. Moreover, while it is true that proof of acts or omissions under section

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

       It is undisputed that J.A.M. was born when his father was incarcerated, and his father

remained incarcerated up to and during the trial of this matter. In fact, O.M. appeared by

telephone from the prison. The evidence showed O.M. was convicted of possessing a controlled

substance and was sentenced to four years confinement. During the trial, O.M. testified he

expected to be paroled in January of 2013, but admitted that although he has “been granted

parole,” he was required, prior to release, to complete a substance abuse program.           O.M.

admitted on cross-examination that he told the court in August 2011 and March 2012 that he was

going to be released during those months, but was not.

       Kristin Williams, the Department case worker first assigned to J.A.M., testified she

prepared a service plan for O.M. and sent him a certified copy. O.M. testified he received a copy

of the service plan. A copy of the service plan, which was admitted into evidence, required O.M.

to take certain actions in order to regain custody of J.A.M. Williams testified that although O.M.

was incarcerated, there were certain items within the service plan he could have completed, but

did not. Specifically, Williams stated O.M. could have: (1) provided her with the names of

family members for possible placement of J.A.M; and (2) participated in parent education

classes, support groups, and substance abuse education. According to Williams, O.M. did not

complete any portion of the service plan.

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                                                                                       04-12-00590-CV

       O.M. admitted he received the service plan and returned a signed copy to Williams, but

claimed he could not subsequently contact Williams because he was forced to leave all his

documents behind when he was transferred out of Bexar County. He stated no one from the

Department ever visited him or attempted to confer with him except when he was in Bexar

County. He admitted he did not send monthly letters to Williams, which was part of the service

plan, but claimed he could not because he did not know how to contact her after he was forced to

leave his paperwork in Bexar County. He also admitted never sending any letters to J.A.M.

through the Department, but again claimed he could not because he did not have the paperwork

with the contact information. However, he stated that he did send letters to his attorney, so he

did have contact with someone on the outside. O.M. admitted he never asked his attorney for

another copy of the service plan or the name and address of the Department caseworker, stating

“I didn’t think I could do that.” O.M. claimed he was unaware of any sources in the prison

complex that he could use to look up the Department’s address.

       After her testimony regarding O.M.’s failure to complete any portion of the service plan,

Williams further testified that since J.A.M.’s birth, O.M. has had no contact with the child. She

stated he had not attempted any contact or created any kind of bond with the child. Williams

testified that because of the absence of the bond between J.A.M. and O.M., O.M.’s continued

incarceration (despite O.M. statements, according to the judgment of conviction, O.M. is not due

for release for another two years), and J.A.M.’s bond with his half–siblings, with whom he

resides in foster care, it would be in J.A.M.’s best interests to terminate O.M.’s parental rights.

       J.A.M.’s foster mother, R.N.D., testified he has been in her care since December 2011.

She testified J.A.M. was placed with her because she and her husband had adopted J.A.M.’s

half–brothers. J.A.M. has a “very strong” bond with his half–brothers. R.N.D. said J.A.M.

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“lights up” when his older brothers enter the room and that he is very attached to them, following

them around and trying to play with them.

       R.N.D. stated J.A.M. is almost thirteen months old and is “doing very well.” She said he

is growing quickly and a development specialist stated he was at fifteen-month-old level with

high level motor skills.

       R.N.D. testified that if the termination is granted, she and her husband want to adopt

J.A.M. This would allow J.A.M. to be raised with his half–brothers.

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

found to be true, that he had constructively abandoned J.A.M., failed to comply with the service

plan, and knowingly engaged in criminal conduct that resulted in his conviction for an offense

and confinement and inability to care for J.A.M. See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 161.001(1)(N),

(O), (Q).

       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 O.M.’s parental rights was in J.A.M. best interest. Under the clear and convincing

standard, we hold the evidence is such that the trial court could reasonably have formed a firm

belief or conviction that termination was in the best interest of the child. See In re J.P.B., 180
S.W.3d at 573.

                                          CONCLUSION

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

court’s judgment.

                                                 Marialyn Barnard, Justice

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