Court Opinion

ID: 9400396
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-06-08 08:10:46.226639+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:19:44.925020
License: Public Domain

In The
                                  Court of Appeals
                         Seventh District of Texas at Amarillo

                                          No. 07-22-00376-CV
                                          No. 07-22-00377-CV

                             IN THE INTEREST OF D.M., A CHILD
                            IN THE INTEREST OF A.M.T., A CHILD

                               On Appeal from the 320th District Court
                                        Potter County, Texas
            Trial Court Nos. 95,790-D-FM, 95,630-D-FM, Honorable Carry Baker, Presiding

                                             June 7, 2023
                                 MEMORANDUM OPINION
                         Before QUINN, C.J., and PARKER and DOSS, JJ.

        In these accelerated appeals, Appellants, Father and Mother, appeal the

judgments of the trial court terminating their parental rights to D.M. and A.M.T.1 The

Appellee is the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

        Father challenges the sufficiency of the evidence to support the trial court’s

findings under the predicate grounds and that termination is in the best interest of the

        1To protect the privacy of the parties involved, we refer to the mother of the children as “Mother,”
the father of the children as “Father,” and the children by their initials. See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN.
§ 109.002(d); TEX. R. APP. P. 9.8(b).
children. Appointed counsel for Mother has filed an Anders2 brief in support of a motion

to withdraw and urges that the appeal is without merit. We affirm the judgments of the

trial court.

                                               Background

        During final hearings,3 testimony showed in May 2020 (while A.M.T. was two years

old) the Department received a complaint of neglectful supervision due to domestic

violence by Father against Mother. Father was charged with and pled guilty to domestic

violence by applying pressure to Mother’s throat or neck and impeding her breathing or

circulation.4 In September 2020, Family-Based Safety Services (FBSS) were initiated

and A.M.T.’s parents agreed to complete individual counseling. Under the FBSS service

plan, Father and Mother were to have no contact with one another until both parents had

successfully completed their individual counseling and domestic violence therapy. In

addition, Father agreed to attend a Batterer Intervention and Prevention Program and

Mother agreed to attend a domestic violence support group. Neither parent completed

their services but were observed numerous times to remain together in violation of the

FBSS service plan.

        In the spring of 2021, the parents attended two family conferences with the

Department to discuss their lack of progress under the plans and for reuniting the family.

        2   See Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738, 87 S. Ct. 1396, 18 L. Ed. 2d 493 (1967).
        3   In 2022, final hearings were held July 21, October 20, and November 22.
        4Father received two years’ deferred adjudication community supervision with conditions that he
successfully complete BIPP (Batterer Intervention and Prevention Program), remain drug-free, and refrain
from any contact with Mother.

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Father also admitted to using drugs, claiming he was depressed “with just a lot of stress

going on.”

      The Department sought removal of A.M.T. in 2021 after the Department’s service

worker arrived for the next home visit and found that Father and Mother were together

again.5 The two parents were heard to be fighting inside the home. When the service

worker announced her presence, Father attempted to hide while Mother denied knowing

his whereabouts; he emerged after the Department employee said she had heard them

arguing. When the service worker expressed concern that Father was in the home, he

became angry, banging the wall with his fist. In June 2021, after determining that the

parents had completed no steps to ensure A.M.T.’s continued safety, the Department

removed the child from their care and custody.

      In July 2021, six weeks after A.M.T.’s removal, Mother gave birth to D.M. Both

Mother and newborn tested positive for methamphetamine. When the Department’s

investigator went to see Mother in her hospital room, he also found Father staying in the

room. The parents indicated an understanding that Father was not supposed to be with

Mother. Mother initially denied to the investigator that she had used drugs and tried to

blame Father’s drug use for causing the positive test result. However, Mother later

admitted she had “relapsed” and taken drugs because of stress. The Department filed a

petition to seek removal of D.M., citing the parents’ drug use and continued presence

together.

      At final hearing, the assigned permanency case specialist testified that even after

      5   Mother was pregnant with D.M. at the time.

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the children were removed from Mother and Father, neither parent satisfied the

requirements of their service plans. Mother moved her residence without notification,

failed to complete individual counseling, failed to appear for numerous drug screens, and

ceased visiting her children after the court conditioned further visitation on drug screen

results. Mother also failed to show a stable home environment or employment.

        Before being incarcerated in January 2022,6 Father did not appear for drug

screens on numerous occasions and offered no explanation. After he was release from

incarceration in July 2022, Father submitted two negative urinalysis screens but refused

to undergo required hair follicle screens.7               Father also failed to complete individual

counseling, parenting classes, the Batterer Intervention and Prevention Program, and

substance abuse programs.               Father also often failed to meet with the assigned

permanency case specialist despite her many attempts to contact him.8

        At final hearing, Father testified to offer many excuses for his failure to comply. He

said his “days of downfall is not—not having my wife and kids.” He blamed his failure to

complete services because of transportation issues. He testified he did not complete a

drug program assessment because he “wasn’t like really up to it, or with it.” Father

admitted using drugs throughout Mother’s pregnancy with D.M. and testified he had

        6At the urging of his probation officer, Father surrendered to incarceration to enter an Intermediate
Sanction Facility for drug treatment. Once incarcerated, however, he did not enter the program and offered
no explanation as to why.
        7 Per the service plan, the “failure to take [a] random drug test on the date requested [is] considered
as a ‘positive’ to the Department.”
        8  In a December 2021 meeting (the first for Father to attend since D.M.’s removal five months
earlier), Father was described as being “very angry” over the children’s removal and insisted he “didn’t
understand why [the Department] was asking him to do these things, because it was lies.”

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continued to use methamphetamine less than a week before the hearing.

       In December 2022, the trial court signed an order terminating Mother’s parental

rights to A.M.T. and D.M. pursuant to the Family Code’s predicate act sections

161.001(b)(1)(D), (E), (O), and (P). The court terminated Father’s parental rights to the

children pursuant to sections (E), (O), and (P). See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 161.001(b)(1)

(D), (E), (O), (P).

                                    Standard of Review

       When reviewing the legal sufficiency of the evidence to support the trial court’s

findings, we look “at all the evidence in the light most favorable to the finding to determine

whether a reasonable trier of fact could have formed a firm belief or conviction that it was

finding true.” In re J.O.A., 283 S.W.3d 336, 344 (Tex. 2009) (quoting In re J.F.C., 96

S.W.3d 256, 266 (Tex. 2002)).         We give appropriate deference to the factfinder’s

conclusions and the role of the trial court by “assum[ing] that the factfinder resolved

disputed facts in favor of the finding if a reasonable factfinder could do so.” Id. “A corollary

to this requirement is that [we] should disregard all evidence that a reasonable factfinder

could have disbelieved or found to have been incredible.” Id. If, after conducting our

legal sufficiency review of the record evidence, we determine that no reasonable

factfinder could form a firm belief or conviction that the matter that must be proven is true,

then we must conclude the evidence is legally insufficient. Id. at 344–45.

       In reviewing the factual sufficiency, we give deference to the factfinder’s findings,

but we also consider the disputed or conflicting evidence. Id. at 345. “If, in light of the

entire record, the disputed evidence that a reasonable factfinder could not have credited

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in favor of the finding is so significant that a factfinder could not reasonably have formed

a firm belief or conviction, then the evidence is factually insufficient.” In re J.F.C., 96

S.W.3d at 266. In conducting a factual sufficiency review, we cannot substitute our

judgment for that of the factfinder. In re H.R.M., 209 S.W.3d 105, 108 (Tex. 2006).9

                                            Applicable Law

        A parent’s right to the “companionship, care, custody, and management” of his or

her child is a constitutional interest “far more precious than any property right.” Santosky

v. Kramer, 455 U.S. 745, 758–59 (1982). Consequently, we strictly scrutinize termination

proceedings and strictly construe the involuntary termination statutes in favor of the

parent. Holick v. Smith, 685 S.W.2d 18, 20 (Tex. 1985). However, “the rights of natural

parents are not absolute” and “[t]he rights of parenthood are accorded only to those fit to

accept the accompanying responsibilities.” In re A.V., 113 S.W.3d 355, 361 (Tex. 2002).

Recognizing that a parent may forfeit his or her parental rights by his or her acts or

omissions, the primary focus of a termination suit is protection of the child’s best interests.

See id.

        In a case to terminate parental rights under section 161.001, the Department must

establish, by clear and convincing evidence,10 (1) the parent committed one or more of

the enumerated acts or omissions justifying termination, and (2) termination of parental

        9   The appellate court cannot weigh witness credibility issues that depend on demeanor and
appearance as the witnesses are not present. In re J.P.B., 180 S.W.3d 570, 573 (Tex. 2005). Even when
credibility issues are reflected in the written transcript, the appellate court must defer to the factfinder’s
determinations, if those terminations are not themselves unreasonable. Id.
        10  Clear and convincing evidence is “the measure or degree of 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.”
§ 101.007; In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d at 264.

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rights is in the best interest of the child. § 161.001(b). “Only one predicate finding under

section 161.001(b)(1) is necessary to support a judgment of termination when there is

also a finding that termination is in the child’s best interest.” In re A.V., 113 S.W.3d at

362. See In re J.F.-G, 627 S.W.3d 304, 321 (Tex. 2021).

       A parent’s conduct before and after birth and removal may be considered when

assessing the appropriateness of termination. In re J.E., No. 07-12-00449-CV, 2013 Tex.

App. LEXIS 1063, at *7 (Tex. App.—Amarillo Feb. 5, 2013, no pet.) (mem. op.). The

same is true of conduct subjecting a child to a life of uncertainty and instability; it too

endangers a child’s physical and emotional well-being. In re A.B., No. 04-21-00051-CV,

2021 Tex. App. LEXIS 5984, at *6–7 (Tex. App.—San Antonio July 28, 2021, no pet.)

(mem. op.).

       A finding that a parent engaged in conduct supporting termination under predicate

grounds (D) or (E) potentially affects the parent’s relationships with other children. See

TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 161.001(b)(1)(m) (authorizing courts to terminate the parent-child

relationship when the parent’s relationship with another child has been terminated for a

violation of predicate grounds (D) or (E)). Therefore, we will provide a detailed analysis

for these grounds even when in the Anders context. See In re E.K., 608 S.W.3d 815, 815

(Tex. 2020) (Green, J., concurring in denial of petition for review).

                                         Analysis

Father’s Appeal

       Father challenges the sufficiency of the evidence supporting the trial court’s

findings of predicate grounds (E), (O), and (P). Ground (E) is satisfied by proof that the
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parent engaged in conduct or knowingly placed the child with persons who engaged in

conduct which endangered the physical or emotional well-being of the child. TEX. FAM.

CODE ANN. § 161.001(b)(1)(E).11 The cause of the danger to the child must be the

parent’s conduct and/or failure to act. In re M.J.M.L., 31 S.W.3d 347, 350–51 (Tex.

App.—San Antonio 2000, pet. denied); Doyle v. Tex. Dep’t of Protective & Regulatory

Servs., 16 S.W.3d 390, 395 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2000, pet denied). It is not necessary

that the conduct be directed at the child, nor must actual harm result. Dupree v. Tex.

Dep’t of Protective & Regulatory Servs., 907 S.W.2d 81, 84 (Tex. App.—Dallas 1995, no

writ).   The specific danger to the child’s well-being need not be established as an

independent proposition but may be inferred from parental misconduct. In re B.C.S., 479

S.W.3d 918, 926 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2015, no pet.).

         Domestic violence, want of self-control, and propensity for violence may be

considered as evidence of endangerment. In re R.S.-T, 522 S.W.3d 92, 110 (Tex. App.—

San Antonio 2017, no pet.). Courts may also consider evidence of a volatile and chaotic

marriage and repeated reconciliation with an abusive spouse. Id. (citing Sylvia M. v. Dall.

Cty. Child Welfare Unit, 771 S.W.2d 198, 201, 204 (Tex. App.—Dallas 1989, no writ)).

         Here, the Department first became involved in May 2020 after Father was arrested

and later pled guilty to domestic violence by impeding Mother’s breathing and/or

circulation. Evidence shows Father repeatedly violated the conditions of his probation

and the FBSS plan to have no contact with Mother. In June 2021, A.M.T. was removed

due to Father’s continued drug use, his inability to control his anger, his continued

          “Endangerment means to expose to loss or injury, to jeopardize.” In re J.W., 645 S.W.3d 726,
         11

749 (Tex. 2022) (quoting Tex. Dep’t of Human Servs. v. Boyd, 727 S.W.2d 531, 533 (Tex. 1987)).

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presence in the home, and in eight months, neither parent had completed any services in

their plan. Shortly thereafter, D.M. was removed when he and Mother tested positive for

methamphetamine. Father admitted to the Department and at trial that he used illegal

drugs, including during Mother’s pregnancy with D.M., and less than a week before final

hearing.

        Father also failed to complete the Batterer Intervention Program, failed to appear

for numerous drug screens without explanation, and failed to complete the other services

intended to protect the children. The trial court had the opportunity to consider, and reject,

Father’s proffered reasons for his lack of compliance. In re S.P.M., No. 07-13-00282-CV,

2014 Tex. App. LEXIS 614, at *11–13 (Tex. App.—Amarillo Jan. 21, 2014, no pet.) (mem.

op.) (citing In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d at 266.                Based on a review of the direct and

circumstantial evidence contained in the record, we conclude that legally and factually

sufficient evidence supports the trial court’s findings that Father engaged in conduct which

endangered the children’s physical or emotional well-being, satisfying subsection (E). It

is unnecessary to consider Father’s challenges to predicate grounds (O) and (P) in light

of the evidence supporting termination under subsection (E). See TEX. R. APP. P. 47.1.

See also In re J.F.-G, 627 S.W.3d at 321.

        Regarding the trial court’s determination that termination of Father’s parental rights

is in the best interest of the children, we consider the factors itemized in Holley v. Adams,

544 S.W.2d 367, 371–72 (Tex. 1976).12                  Although the Holley list “is by no means

        12The Holley factors are: (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
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exhaustive, [it] does indicate a number of considerations which either have been or would

appear to be pertinent.” Id. at 372.13 Many of the reasons supporting termination under

subsection (E) will also support the trial court’s best interest finding. See In re C.H., 89

S.W.3d 17, 28 (Tex. 2002) (same evidence may be probative of both section

161.001(b)(1) grounds and best interest). “A parent’s drug use, inability to provide a

stable home, and failure to comply with a family service plan supports a finding that

terminations is in the best interest of the child.” In re M.R., 243 S.W.3d 807, 821 (Tex.

App.—Fort Worth 2007, no pet.).

        Whether viewed in the light most favorable to the district court’s order (legal

sufficiency) or in a neutral light (factual sufficiency), the evidence demonstrates

remarkable instability in Father’s life and his inability to provide a safe, drug-free

environment at home. The evidence shows Father’s children were initially removed due

to his continued drug use, an inability to control his anger, and his failure to complete any

services.      Father continued to use methamphetamine up until days before the final

hearing, failed to complete counseling, failed to identify any plan or services that might

assist him in creating a stable home environment, and failed to identify a residence or

provide any evidence of employment or income.

        The evidence shows that the children, on the other hand, have been placed

together in a foster home and are doing well. There is a potential for adoption. The

children’s present home is stable and drug-free. We conclude that legally and factually

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, 544 S.W.2d at 371–72.
        13   In re R.R., 209 S.W.3d 112, 116 (Tex. 2006).

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sufficient evidence supports the trial court’s best-interest finding.

Mother’s Appeal

       Mother’s appointed counsel has filed a motion to withdraw, together with an

Anders14 brief in support. In the latter, counsel certified that she diligently searched the

record and concluded that the appeal was without merit. Appellate counsel also filed a

copy of a letter sent to Mother informing her of her right to file a pro se response.

According to counsel’s letter, Mother was also provided a copy of the appellate record.

By letter, this Court also notified Mother of her right to file a pro se response to counsel’s

brief. The deadline assigned has lapsed with no response being filed.

       In compliance with the principles enunciated in Anders, appellate counsel

discussed two potential areas for appeal involving 1) the sufficiency of evidence to

support termination under section 161.001(b)(1), and 2) whether termination of her

parental rights was in the children’s best interest. Upon discussing the potential areas of

appeal, counsel concluded that none provided arguable issues.

       We too independently reviewed the appellate record in search of arguable issues

for appeal. See In re E.J.H., No. 07-22-00074-CV, 2022 Tex. App. LEXIS 4465, at *3

(Tex. App.—Amarillo June 29, 2022, no pet.). With regard to the trial court’s findings

supporting predicate ground (E), the evidence shows that during her pregnancy with D.M.

(and while A.M.T. resided with her), Mother was physically assaulted by Father. Despite

this act of domestic violence in the home, and in the face of a service plan that prohibited

       14   See Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738, 87 S. Ct. 1396, 18 L. Ed. 2d 493 (1967).

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her from being in contact with Father, Mother persistently was found in Father’s presence

and attempted to minimize his responsibility. Moreover, Mother used methamphetamine

while pregnant, causing D.M. to test positive for the illegal substance at birth.

        Even after proceedings were brought to terminate her parental rights, Mother failed

to complete the service plans or to show up for scheduled drug screens.15 When the trial

court gave Mother the choice to show a negative drug screen as a condition for seeing

her children, Mother failed to present for drug testing.               Mother also moved without

informing her caseworker of her new address and, at the final hearing, had not revealed

where she was living. Mother also admitted she had used methamphetamine two to three

months before final hearing.

        As shown above, the evidence demonstrates a stable and safe home environment

for the children in their current foster home placement. Based on the evidence presented

at trial, we find no arguable issues that would support reversal of the judgments on appeal.

                                             Conclusion

        The trial court’s judgments are affirmed.16

                                                                 Lawrence M. Doss
                                                                     Justice

        15 See In re W.E.C., 110 S.W.3d 231, 239 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th] 2003, no pet.) (noting that a
factfinder may infer from a parent’s repeated failure to show for drug screens that the parent is avoiding
testing due to drug use).
        16 We take no action on Mother’s counsel’s motion to withdraw from representation and call
counsel’s attention to the continuing duty of representation through the exhaustion of proceedings, which
may include filing a petition for review in the Supreme Court of Texas. See In re P.M., 520 S.W.3d 24, 27
(Tex. 2016) (per curiam).

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