Court Opinion

ID: 2914845
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-09-10 18:45:12.054671+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:38:10.300975
License: Public Domain

Opinion filed June 18, 2009

                                              In The

   Eleventh Court of Appeals
                                           ___________

                                     No. 11-08-00226-CV
                                         __________

                      IN THE INTEREST OF A.L.K., A CHILD

                           On Appeal from the 118th District Court

                                     Howard County, Texas

                                 Trial Court Cause No. 45,457

                              MEMORANDUM OPINION
       This is an accelerated appeal from the trial court’s termination of parental rights. We affirm.
                                        Background Facts
       Appellant, Melanie Margaret DeLoach, is A.L.K.’s mother. Lee Roy Clay Kitchell is
A.L.K.’s father. A.L.K. was born on August 31, 2002. A.L.K. lived with appellant for about the
first eighteen months of his life. On March 25, 2004, the Texas Department of Family and Protective
Services removed A.L.K., his half sister M.A.C., and his half brother J.A.K. from appellant’s care.
On the next day, the Department filed an “Original Petition for Protection of a Child, for
Conservatorship, and for Termination in Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship” in San Saba
County, Texas. In the final order in that cause, the trial court appointed Kitchell as A.L.K.’s
permanent managing conservator and appointed appellant as A.L.K.’s possessory conservator. The
order provided that appellant’s possession of and access to A.L.K. were to occur at times mutually
agreed to by the parties and, in the absence of such an agreement, at the sole discretion of Kitchell.
        After the Department received allegations that Kitchell had sexually abused A.L.K., it
removed A.L.K. from Kitchell’s care. On June 26, 2007, the Department filed its “Original Petition
for Protection of a Child, for Conservatorship, and for Termination in Suit Affecting the Parent-
Child Relationship” in this cause. At that time, appellant was in the Travis County Jail. In its
petition, the Department alleged that, if reunification of A.L.K. with appellant could not be achieved,
the trial court should terminate the parent-child relationship between appellant and A.L.K. The
Department requested the trial court to terminate the parent-child relationship between Kitchell and
A.L.K. Kitchell signed an affidavit in which he voluntarily relinquished his parental rights to A.L.K.
Later, the Department filed a notice of its intent to pursue termination of appellant’s parental rights.
        Following the filing of this cause, the trial court appointed the Department as A.L.K.’s
temporary managing conservator and approved placement of A.L.K. with Charlotte Spence. M.A.C.
and J.A.K. also lived with Charlotte Spence and her husband, Aubrey Spence. The Spences are
J.A.K.’s biological grandparents.
        After a bench trial, the trial court entered an order terminating appellant’s parental rights to
A.L.K. Under TEX . FAM . CODE ANN . § 161.001(Vernon 2008), the trial court found by clear and
convincing evidence that appellant:
                [1] engaged in conduct or knowingly placed the child with persons who
        engaged in conduct which endangers the physical or emotional well-being of the
        child [as stated in Section 161.001(1)(E)];

                [2] had her parent-child relationship terminated with respect to another child
        based on a finding that [her] conduct was in violation of § 161.001(1)(D) or (E),
        Texas Family Code, or substantially equivalent provisions of the law of another state
        [as stated in Section 161.001(1)(M)];

                 [3] failed to comply with the provisions of a court order that specifically
        established the actions necessary for [her] to obtain the return of the child who has
        been in the permanent or temporary managing conservatorship of the [Department]
        for not less than nine months as a result of the child’s removal from the parent under
        Chapter 262 for the abuse or neglect of the child [as stated in Section 161.001(1)(O)].

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The trial court also found by clear and convincing evidence that termination of appellant’s parental
rights was in A.L.K.’s best interest. See Section 161.001(2).
       The trial court’s order also terminated Kitchell’s parental rights to A.L.K. Kitchell has not
appealed the termination of his parental rights and is, therefore, not a party to this appeal. In its
order, the trial court appointed the Department as A.L.K.’s permanent managing conservator.
                                          Issues on Appeal
       Appellant presents nine issues for review. In her first issue, she contends that the trial court
abused its discretion in denying her request for a 180-day extension of the dismissal date of this
cause under Section 263.401 of the Family Code. See TEX . FAM . CODE ANN . § 263.401 (Vernon
2008). In her second through ninth issues, she challenges the legal and factual sufficiency of the
evidence to support the trial court’s Section 161.001(1)(E), (M), and (O) and best-interest findings.
                         Sufficiency of the Evidence Standards of Review
       Texas courts have long recognized that the natural right existing between a parent and a child
is of “constitutional dimensions.” Wiley v. Spratlan, 543 S.W.2d 349, 352 (Tex. 1976). There is
a strong presumption that the best interest of a child is served by keeping the child with the natural
parent. In re G.M., 596 S.W.2d 846, 847 (Tex. 1980). Thus, involuntary termination statutes are
strictly scrutinized in favor of the parent. Holick v. Smith, 685 S.W.2d 18, 20-21 (Tex. 1985).
       Due process requires that the grounds for termination be established by clear and convincing
evidence. In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d 256, 263 (Tex. 2002) (citing Santosky v. Kramer, 455 U.S.745,
769 (1982)); In re J.P.H., 196 S.W.3d 289, 292 (Tex. App.—Eastland 2006, no pet.). This requires
a 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. TEX . FAM . CODE ANN .
§ 101.007 (Vernon 2008); In re J.P.H., 196 S.W.3d at 292. Even though it is a fine one, there is a
distinction between legal and factual sufficiency when the burden is by clear and convincing
evidence. In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d at 266.
       When the burden of proof is by clear and convincing evidence and a reviewing court
examines the evidence for legal sufficiency, 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 the finding was true. Id. We must assume that the factfinder resolved disputed facts

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in favor of its finding, if a reasonable factfinder could do so. Further, we should disregard all
evidence that a reasonable factfinder could have disbelieved or found to have been incredible. Id.
But, we are not to disregard all evidence that does not support the finding. For instance, to disregard
undisputed facts that do not support the finding could lead to a flawed analysis of the existence, or
not, of clear and convincing evidence. Id. Further, when we view evidence in the light most
favorable to the verdict, it cannot be viewed in “isolated bits and pieces divorced from its
surroundings; it must be viewed in its proper context with other evidence.” AutoZone, Inc. v. Reyes,
272 S.W.3d 588, 592 (Tex. 2008) (citing City of Keller v. Wilson, 168 S.W.3d 802, 827 (Tex.
2005)). After a review under these standards, if we determine that no reasonable factfinder could
form a firm belief or conviction in the truth of the matter to be proven, then we must hold that the
evidence is legally insufficient. In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d at 266.
       When a court of appeals undertakes a factual sufficiency review, it must give due
consideration to evidence that the factfinder could reasonably have found to be clear and convincing.
Id. at 263. We must also determine if the evidence is such that a factfinder could reasonably form
a firm belief or conviction about the truth of the allegations about which proof is sought. Id. at 266.
We must also ask: Is the disputed evidence such that a reasonable factfinder could not have resolved
that disputed evidence in favor of its ruling? Id. The evidence is factually insufficient if, on the
record as a whole, 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 thing sought to be proved. Id.
       To terminate parental rights, the proponent must prove by clear and convincing evidence that
a parent committed one or more of the acts or omissions set forth in Section 161.001(1) and that
termination of parental rights is in the child’s best interest. In re J.L., 163 S.W.3d 79, 84 (Tex.
2005); In re B.L.D., 113 S.W.3d 340, 353-54 (Tex. 2003); Richardson v. Green, 677 S.W.2d 497,
499 (Tex. 1984). On appeal, appellant asserts that the evidence was legally and factually insufficient
to support each of the three grounds – Section 161.001(1)(E), (M), and (O) – that the trial court
found to support the termination.

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                                       The Evidence at Trial
       The Department presented four witnesses at trial: (1) appellant; (2) Amy Hernandez, a
caseworker for the Department; (3) Charlotte Spence; and (4) Isaac Miramontes, the court-appointed
special advocate and guardian ad litem assigned to A.L.K. After the Department rested, appellant’s
counsel recalled appellant to the stand. We have reviewed all the evidence in the record, and we will
summarize the evidence below.
       A.L.K. was five years old at the time of trial. Appellant testified that A.L.K. lived with her
until he was about eighteen months old. She said that the Department removed him from her care
as part of a neglectful supervision case. The Department placed A.L.K. in Kitchell’s care in
Big Spring. Appellant testified that, while A.L.K. was in Kitchell’s care, she talked with A.L.K. on
the phone “quite regularly” and visited him twice in Big Spring. The Department removed A.L.K.
from Kitchell’s care on June 25, 2007, and filed this cause in Big Spring the next day. At that time,
appellant was in the Travis County Jail. After the Department removed A.L.K. from Kitchell’s care,
A.L.K. spent some time in foster care and then was placed in the care of Charlotte and Aubrey
Spence. Two of appellant’s other children, M.A.C. and J.A.K., also lived with the Spences.
       Appellant was released from the Travis County Jail on July 8, 2007. Upon her release,
appellant lived in Llano. She also said that she maintained employment after her release from jail.
On August 15, 2007, appellant signed a family service plan. The plan required appellant to perform
a number of tasks and services, including completing a psychological evaluation, completing a drug
and alcohol assessment, attending and successfully completing individual counseling, attending and
successfully completing parenting classes, submitting to random drug screenings, maintaining stable
housing and employment, providing the Department with current locating information about herself,
and demonstrating her willingness to protect A.L.K. from future abuse or neglect. The family
service plan indicated that a courtesy worker would be assigned to appellant, and the family service
plan required appellant to contact her courtesy worker to set up some of the services.
       Erica Partlow-Melton was the initial caseworker for the Department in this case. The
evidence showed that Melton did not assign a courtesy worker to appellant. Appellant testified that
she could not complete the family service plan because the Department did not assign her a courtesy
worker in the Llano area.      Hernandez testified that this case had been assigned to her on

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November 1, 2007. Hernandez said that Melton had not set up a courtesy worker for appellant and
that the failure to provide a courtesy worker to appellant was her “mistake as well.” However,
Hernandez testified that she attempted to locate appellant in November 2007 for the purpose of
providing her with a courtesy worker. Hernandez said that she attempted to contact appellant by
calling the phone numbers and by sending letters to the addresses that the Department had listed for
appellant in its computers. Hernandez also testified that she received no response from appellant.
Hernandez acknowledged that appellant could not complete some of the services in the plan without
having a courtesy worker.
        Appellant testified that she attended AA/NA sessions in Llano. She said that she attended
church and that she obtained counseling from a priest. However, appellant was arrested in San Saba
County in December 2007 for possession of a dangerous drug. Appellant signed a statement in
connection with the arrest. In the statement, appellant said that she had traveled to Waco with a man
named “Mike”; that Mike had purchased 700 pills from another man in Waco; that, after the
purchase, she and Mike had driven to San Saba; that a police officer had stopped them; and that the
officer had found the pills in the car. Appellant also testified that she was placed on misdemeanor
probation in Gillespie County for burglary of a coin-operated machine. At the time, appellant was
already on probation for a state jail felony offense of possession of a controlled substance. Appellant
said that the misdemeanor burglary offense caused her felony probation to be revoked and that,
therefore, she went back to jail. She said that she was in the Travis County Jail from December 21,
2007, until January 22, 2008, when she was sent to the Plane State Jail. On February 15, 2007,
Hernandez learned from Charlotte Spence that appellant was in the Plane State Jail. Hernandez said
that she sent a letter to appellant at the jail asking appellant to contact her.
        Appellant testified that she enrolled in the Changes class, a women’s health class, and a
parenting class at the Plane State Jail. She said that she completed the women’s health class but was
unable to complete the Changes class and the parenting class because she was transferred to the
Woodman State Jail.
        Appellant remained incarcerated at the time of trial. She said that she had not seen A.L.K.
since he was removed from Kitchell’s care. Appellant thought that she would be released from
prison on July 1, 2008. However, she acknowledged that her misdemeanor probation in Gillespie

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County might serve as a “hold” on her release and that she faced a possible felony charge in
San Saba County in connection with her December 2007 arrest for possession of a dangerous drug.
When asked further about her criminal history, appellant said that she had “some theft by checks and
the criminal trespassing and a DWI.”
       Appellant testified that she was married to Darrell Hatfield. Appellant said that Hatfield had
a significant criminal history. Hatfield was in jail at the time of trial. Appellant said that Hatfield
would be released from jail on June 12, 2008, and that she planned to reunite with him upon her
release from prison. She said that A.L.K. did not know Hatfield.
       Appellant and Hatfield had a child, J.R.H., together. J.R.H. was born on January 1, 2007.
Appellant’s and Hatfield’s parental rights to J.R.H. had been terminated. During her testimony,
appellant admitted that she used cocaine and smoked marihuana the night before J.R.H. was born.
Appellant said that J.R.H. was removed from her care because “[t]here was cocaine and marihuana
found in my system and her system.” Appellant acknowledged that her parental rights to J.R.H. had
been terminated, and the trial court admitted into evidence a copy of the April 19, 2007 order
terminating the parent-child relationship between appellant and J.R.H. In that order, the trial court
found by clear and convincing evidence that appellant had violated Section 161.001(1)(D) and (E)
of the Family Code.
       Appellant testified that, upon her release from prison, she wanted to have supervised visits
or weekend visits with A.L.K. Ultimately, she desired for A.L.K., M.A.C., and J.A.K. to live with
her full time. She said that she wanted the children to remain together. Appellant testified that the
Spences did an “excellent job” taking care of the children.
       Hernandez testified that the Department’s original goal in this case was for Charlotte Spence
to be appointed as A.L.K.’s permanent managing conservator. She said that the goal changed to
termination of appellant’s parental rights and adoption of A.L.K. after the Department learned of
appellant’s December 2007 arrest.
       Hernandez testified that A.L.K. was placed with Charlotte Spence on August 1, 2007.
Hernandez said that A.L.K. was current on his medical examinations, that he participated in weekly
play therapy, that his placement with the Spences was sufficient to provide for his needs at the
present time, and that the Department’s goal for A.L.K. was adoption by the Spences. Hernandez

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believed that it was in A.L.K.’s best interest to terminate appellant’s parental rights. Hernandez
testified that adoption by the Spences would allow A.L.K. to maintain contact with his siblings. She
said that A.L.K. had “grown up with” the Spences and his siblings and that he had “bonded well”
with them.    Hernandez testified that appellant’s continuing criminal activity concerned the
Department. Hernandez said that she had no reason to believe that appellant could provide
counseling or medical care for A.L.K.
       Charlotte Spence testified that she was married to Aubrey Spence. She said that A.L.K. had
lived with them since July 31, 2007. She said that A.L.K. also lived with them from March 2004
until late October 2004. M.A.C. and J.A.K. also lived with the Spences. Charlotte Spence testified
that she and her husband provided for all of A.L.K.’s needs, that they intended to provide a
permanent placement for him, that they wanted to adopt him, and that they could provide long-term
care for him. She said that A.L.K. was doing very well and that, on a regular basis, he said, “I like
it here.” Charlotte Spence testified that she and her husband did not want A.L.K., M.A.C., and
J.A.K. to be separated from each other.
       Miramontes testified that it would be in A.L.K.’s best interest for the trial court to terminate
appellant’s and Kitchell’s parental rights. Miramontes said that the first factor he took into
consideration was A.L.K.’s age and his need for a safe and stable environment. He said that the
Spences had provided A.L.K. with such an environment. He also said that the Spences appeared to
be meeting all of A.L.K.’s needs. Miramontes also testified that A.L.K. was thriving in his
placement with the Spences. He said that it was in A.L.K.’s best interest to reach some form of
permanency, which could be received through termination of appellant’s and Kitchell’s parental
rights followed by adoption. Miramontes said that it did not appear that appellant could provide
permanency for A.L.K. and that he was very concerned about her incarceration and additional
outstanding charges. Miramontes also said that appellant did not have the ability to provide a safe
home environment for A.L.K. or to provide for his needs. Miramontes did not know whether
appellant would be capable of taking care of A.L.K. in six months. He testified that A.L.K. deserved
to have permanency as quickly as possible.
                       Trial Court’s Finding Under Section 161.001(1)(M)
       In her fourth and fifth issues, appellant challenges the legal and factual sufficiency of the
evidence to support the trial court’s Section 161.001(1)(M) finding. Section 161.001(1)(M) provides

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that a court may order termination of the parent-child relationship if the parent has “had his or her
parent-child relationship terminated with respect to another child based on a finding that the parent’s
conduct was in violation of Paragraph (D) or (E).” Section 161.001(1)(D) provides a ground for
termination when the parent has “knowingly placed or knowingly allowed the child to remain in
conditions or surroundings which endanger the physical or emotional well-being of the child.”
Section 161.001(1)(E) provides a ground for termination when the parent has “engaged in conduct
or knowingly placed the child with persons who engaged in conduct which endangers the physical
or emotional well-being of the child.”
          Section 263.405 of the Family Code governs appeals of final orders involving children under
the Department’s care. TEX . FAM . CODE ANN . § 263.405 (Vernon 2008). The statute requires that
a statement of points on which a party intends to appeal be filed with the trial court not later than the
fifteenth day after the trial court signs the final order. Section 263.405(b). The statement of points
may be combined with a motion for new trial. Section 263.405(b-1). The statute provides that “[t]he
appellate court may not consider any issue that was not specifically presented to the trial court in a
timely filed statement of the points on which the party intends to appeal or in a statement combined
with a motion for new trial.” Section 263.405(i).
          Appellant timely filed a motion for new trial and a statement of points on which she intended
to appeal. She challenged the legal and factual sufficiency of the evidence to support the trial court’s
findings under Section 161.001(1)(E) and (O) in the motion for new trial and in the statement of
points. However, she did not challenge the trial court’s finding under Section 161.001(1)(M) in
either document. The statute is clear that a party who does not raise an issue in a statement of points
does not preserve that issue for appeal. Therefore, we cannot consider appellant’s fourth and fifth
issues.
          We note that the evidence set forth above showed that appellant had her parent-child
relationship terminated with respect to J.R.H. based on a finding that she had engaged in conduct
that violated Section 161.001(D) and (E). Therefore, assuming that appellant preserved the issue for
review, the evidence is legally and factually sufficient to support the trial court’s finding under
Section 161.001(1)(M).
          The trial court’s finding under Section 161.001(1)(M) is sufficient to support a termination
order. See In re A.V., 113 S.W.3d 355, 362 (Tex. 2003) (“Only one predicate finding under section

                                                   9
161.001(1) is necessary to support a judgment of termination.”). As such, we need not address
appellant’s second, third, sixth, and seventh issues challenging the trial court’s findings under
Section 161.001(1)(E) and (O).
                                 Trial Court’s Best Interest Finding
        Appellant argues in her eighth and ninth issues that the evidence was legally and factually
insufficient to support the trial court’s finding that termination of her parental rights was in A.L.K.’s
best interest. In deciding whether the evidence is sufficient to support a trial court’s finding that
termination is in the child’s best interest, we are guided by the nonexclusive list of factors set forth
in Holley v. Adams, 544 S.W.2d 367, 371-72 (Tex. 1976). Those factors 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, (6) the plans for the child by
these individuals, (7) the stability of the home, (8) the acts or omissions of the parent that may
indicate 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 at 371-72. The list is not an exhaustive one. Id. The focus
is on the child’s best interest, not that of the parent. Dupree v. Tex. Dep’t of Protective & Regulatory
Servs., 907 S.W.2d 81, 86 (Tex. App.—Dallas 1995, no writ).
        The evidence demonstrated that A.L.K. had been in the Spences’ home since July 31, 2007.
The Spences had provided a safe and stable environment to A.L.K., and A.L.K. was thriving in that
environment. The Spences had met A.L.K.’s needs. Appellant testified that the Spences did an
excellent job taking care of the children. Miramontes testified that it was in A.L.K.’s best interest
to reach some form of permanency and that he deserved to have permanency as quickly as possible.
The Spences wanted to adopt A.L.K. and, therefore, to provide him with that permanency.
        Appellant had not exhibited adequate parenting abilities in the past. A.L.K. was removed
from her care when he was eighteen months old. Appellant has a lengthy criminal history and a
history of drug use. She smoked marihuana and used cocaine the night before J.R.H. was born, and
her parental rights to J.R.H. were terminated. Appellant was in jail when the Department filed this
cause. She was released from jail about two weeks later. Appellant agreed in the family service plan
that she would maintain stable housing and employment. However, she failed to do so. Instead, she
continued to engage in criminal activities, and her felony probation was revoked. Appellant went

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to jail on December 21, 2007, and she remained incarcerated at the time of trial. The evidence
demonstrated that appellant could not provide A.L.K. a safe and stable home environment or meet
his physical and emotional needs. Further, there was no evidence that appellant would be able to
sustain a safe and stable environment or to meet A.L.K.’s needs in the future. Based on appellant’s
past conduct, the trial court could have reasonably concluded that appellant would not be able to
provide A.L.K. a safe and stable environment or to meet his needs in the future.
       The evidence is both legally and factually sufficient to support the trial court’s finding that
termination of the parent-child relationship between appellant and A.L.K. was in A.L.K.’s best
interest. We overrule appellant’s eighth and ninth issues.
                               Appellant’s Request for an Extension
       On June 26, 2007, the trial court entered a temporary order naming the Department as the
temporary sole managing conservator of A.L.K. Section 263.401(a) and (b) of the Family Code
provides as follows:
               (a) Unless the court has commenced the trial on the merits or granted an
       extension under Subsection (b), on the first Monday after the first anniversary of the
       date the court rendered a temporary order appointing the department as temporary
       managing conservator, the court shall dismiss the suit affecting the parent-child
       relationship filed by the department that requests termination of the parent-child
       relationship or requests that the department be named conservator of the child.

               (b) Unless the court has commenced the trial on the merits, the court may not
       retain the suit on the court’s docket after the time described by Subsection (a) unless
       the court finds that extraordinary circumstances necessitate the child remaining in the
       temporary managing conservatorship of the department and that continuing the
       appointment of the department as temporary managing conservator is in the best
       interest of the child. If the court makes those findings, the court may retain the suit
       on the court’s docket for a period not to exceed 180 days after the time described by
       Subsection (a).

The trial court determined that the dismissal date for this cause was June 30, 2008.
       In her brief, appellant states that her counsel orally requested an extension under
Section 263.401(b) about two weeks before the final trial. However, appellant also states that “[t]he
hearing during which this initial motion was made was not included in the Reporter’s Record.” A
docket entry made by the trial court on May 21, 2008, indicates that appellant’s counsel made a
motion to extend the dismissal date and that the trial court denied the motion.

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       The trial court held the bench trial in this cause on June 4, 2008. After the trial court
requested announcements for the record, the following exchange took place between appellant’s
counsel and the trial court:
               [APPELLANT’S COUNSEL]: [B]efore I announce ready I would like to
       renew my motion that I made two weeks ago and my request for an extension. I
       don’t know if your Honor would like for me to restate my reasons from before. I am
       sure the Court remembers, but basically requesting [appellant] be given a chance to
       complete services, get an extension. She is set to be released from her current
       incarceration on July 1st, and therefore I would like to renew my objection – not my
       objection – my motion for an extension which I made two weeks ago.

               THE COURT: The motion is in all respects denied.

               [APPELLANT’S COUNSEL]: In with that point then, I announce ready.

After the evidence was concluded, appellant’s counsel again renewed his request for an extension:
               [APPELLANT’S COUNSEL]: Your Honor, prior to, I guess, resting and
       closing, I would like to renew my original motion and request an extension once
       again. I believe that there’s been significant evidence to show that [appellant] has put
       forth the effort, that she made the attempt, and I would renew my motion to request
       that there be an extension and that she be given every opportunity in order to finish
       and show that she can complete all services and that she basically should not have her
       rights terminated.

               THE COURT: The motion is in all respects denied.

       We review a trial court’s ruling on a motion for extension under an abuse of discretion
standard. See In re D.W., 249 S.W.3d 625, 647 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2008, pet. denied). To
obtain an extension under Section 263.401(b), appellant had the burden of demonstrating that
“extraordinary circumstances necessitate[d] the child remaining in the temporary managing
conservatorship of the department and that continuing the appointment of the department as
temporary managing conservator [was] in the best interest of the child.” The trial court’s docket
sheet shows that, on May 21, 2008, appellant’s counsel made a motion to extend the dismissal date.
However, as acknowledged by appellant in her brief, the record does not contain a reporter’s record
of the hearing on the motion. Therefore, the record does not show that appellant tendered any
evidence in support of her request for an extension. In the absence of a reporter’s record of the
hearing, we are unable to determine whether appellant met her burden for obtaining an extension.

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Under this circumstance, we cannot conclude that the trial court abused its discretion in denying
appellant’s motion for extension.
        On the trial date, appellant’s counsel renewed the motion for extension when the trial court
requested announcements for the record. At that time, appellant offered no evidence in support of
the motion. Instead, her counsel stated the grounds that he believed justified an extension. Because
appellant tendered no evidence in support of her motion for an extension, she cannot demonstrate
that the trial court abused its discretion in denying it. In re D.W., 249 S.W.3d at 648. Appellant’s
counsel again renewed the motion for extension at the conclusion of the evidence. Viewing all the
evidence presented at trial, we cannot say that the trial court abused its discretion in denying
appellant’s motion.        The evidence, which is summarized above, did not demonstrate that
“extraordinary circumstances” justified an extension or that continuing the Department’s
appointment as A.L.K.’s temporary managing conservator was in his best interest. We overrule
appellant’s first issue.
                                        This Court’s Ruling
        We affirm the judgment of the trial court.

                                                              TERRY McCALL
                                                              JUSTICE

June 18, 2009
Panel consists of: Wright, C.J.,
McCall, J., and Strange, J.

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