Court Opinion

ID: 2849384
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-09-03 22:08:46.573144+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:12:56.957893
License: Public Domain

COURT
OF APPEALS
                                       SECOND
DISTRICT OF TEXAS
                                                   FORT
WORTH
 
 
                                        NO.
2-06-091-CV
 
 
IN THE INTEREST OF S.B. AND Y.B.,                                                      
 
MINOR CHILDREN
                                                                                                        
 
                                              ------------
                                                    
           FROM
THE 323RD DISTRICT COURT OF TARRANT COUNTY
 
                                              ------------
 
                                             OPINION
 
                                              ------------
I.  Introduction

Appellant Renard B., the
biological father of S.B. and Y.B., timely filed a notice of appeal contesting
the trial court=s order
terminating his parental rights.  In
three points, appellant contends (1) that his trial counsel was ineffective,
(2) that the trial court erred by admitting hearsay statements from and a
videotape interview of S.B. and Y.B., and (3) that the evidence was legally and
factually insufficient to support the trial court=s section 161.001(1)(D) and (E) endangerment findings and best
interest findings.  Appellant properly
presented for our review only his hearsay challenge to the children=s counselor=s
statements, his legal and factual sufficiency challenges to the trial court=s endangerment findings, and his factual sufficiency challenge to the
trial court=s best
interest finding.  Because we hold that
the trial court properly admitted the counselor=s testimony, the evidence was both legally and factually sufficient to
support the trial court=s
endangerment findings, and the evidence was factually sufficient to support the
trial court=s best
interest finding, we affirm.
II.  Factual Background
The Texas Department of
Protective and Regulatory Services filed a petition to terminate the
parent-child relationship between appellant and his two children, S.B. and
Y.B.  At the time of the termination
proceeding, appellant was awaiting trial for murdering Serena Martinez, S.B.
and Y.B.=s mother, and for stabbing Raul ARicky@ Hernandez.
Prior to the termination
proceedings and Serena=s death,
appellant and Serena were in a romantic relationship.  While the couple lived together, they  often engaged in arguments, neither Y.B. nor
S.B. attended school regularly, and the power and water utilities in their home
were disconnected at least once. 

After appellant moved out, he
left the children with Serena, who was allegedly a prostitute and crack cocaine
user.  Appellant, who is now incarcerated,
frequently used marijuana and crack cocaine until his arrest for Serena=s murder, even when caring for the children.
Additionally, prior to the
termination trial but while appellant was incarcerated, appellant refused to
correspond with S.B. or Y.B., did not complete any tasks on his Child
Protective Services (ACPS@) Plan, and did not attempt to contact CPS about the children.
III.  Statement of Points
As a preliminary matter, we
address the State=s contention
that Appellant=s points on
appeal do not appear in his statement of points or motion for new trial.  Section 263.405(i) of the Texas Family Code
provides,
The 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. 
For purposes of this subsection, a claim that a judicial decision is
contrary to the evidence or that the evidence is factually or legally
insufficient is not sufficiently specific to preserve an issue for appeal.[1]
 

We agree with the State that appellant did not
properly present his first pointCthat trial counsel was ineffectiveCin his motion for new trial or his statement of points.  Accordingly, we dismiss appellant=s first point.  See Tex. Fam. Code Ann. ' 263.405(i); In re D.A.R., 201 S.W.3d at 230.
Appellant=s second and third points, however, are closer calls.  The relevant portions of appellant=s statement of points allege,
(2)
The Court repeatedly admitted into evidence the children=s  counselor=s hearsay testimony over
Appellant=s
objections throughout the trial.
 
(3)
The Court=s
ruling under Section 161.001 (D) and (E) was not corroborated nor supported by
any evidence other than that of the hearsay testimony of the children=s
counselor.
 
(4)
The best interests of the child were not served because the Appellant has yet
to be convicted of any criminal offense.[2]
  
We believe that appellant=s statement of points raises a hearsay complaint as to the children=s counselor=s testimony.
Accordingly, we will address that argument. 
However, neither appellant=s statement of points nor his motion for new trial asserts that the
trial court improperly admitted the videotape of the children=s testimony into evidence. 
Therefore, we dismiss that portion of appellant=s second point.  

We also do not believe that
appellant=s statement
of points raises the issue of legal insufficiency on the best-interest finding
that he includes in his third point. 
Accordingly, we dismiss that portion of appellant=s third point.  We do, however,
believe that appellant=s statement
of points presents both legal and factual insufficiency arguments on the
section 161.001(1)(D) and (E) endangerment findings and a factual sufficiency
argument on the best-interest finding. 
His statement of points was certainly specific enough to allow the trial
judge to correct any erroneous findings on those grounds.[3]  Further, given that termination statutes are
to be construed strictly in favor of the parent, we are prohibited from
construing the statute in a way that liberally expands its reach and
consequently favors the State.  Holick
v. Smith, 685 S.W.2d 18, 20 (Tex. 1985); In re E.S.S., 131 S.W.3d
632, 636 (Tex. App.CFort Worth
2004, no pet.).  We therefore address
appellant=s legal and
factual sufficiency arguments on his endangerment findings and appellant=s factual sufficiency argument on the best interest finding.
                        IV. 
The Children=s Counselor=s Testimony

In his second point,
appellant asserts that Dee Dee Thompson=s testimony regarding S.B.=s and Y.B.=s statements
was inadmissible hearsay because the trial court admitted the statements
without complying with the procedural requisites of section 104.006.  See Tex.
Fam. Code Ann. ' 104.006
(Vernon 2002).  Specifically, appellant
complains that the trial court failed Ato ascertain whether the children were available to testify in any
manner as required by Family Code [section] 104.006(1)@ and whether the counselor=s Atestimony
was necessary to protect the children=s welfare as required by Family Code [section] 104.006(2).@  

Section 104.006 does not
require the trial court to make a finding that the witness=s statement in lieu of the child=s testimony is necessary to protect the child=s welfare if the child does not testify.  See In re K.L., 91 S.W.3d 1, 16 (Tex.
App.CFort Worth 2002, no pet.). 
Rather, the statute permits the trial court to admit the statement if it
finds that the statement is reliable and (1) the child testifies or is
available to testify at the proceeding in court or in any other manner provided
for by law or (2) the court determines that the use of the statement in lieu of
the child=s testimony
is necessary to protect the welfare of the child.  See Tex.
Fam. Code Ann. ' 104.006; In
re K.L., 91 S.W.3d at 16.  Thus, only
if a child is unavailable to testify is the trial court required to make
a finding that admitting the witness=s statement in lieu of the child=s testimony is necessary to protect the child=s welfare.  See In re K.L.,
91 S.W.3d at 16.   The record shows that
the trial court heard and considered arguments from both parties regarding the
admissibility of Thompson=s statements
under section 104.006.  Neither party
indicated that S.B. was unavailable to testify. 
Because the trial court could have concluded that S.B. was available to
testify, the trial court was not required to make a finding that Thompson=s testimony in lieu of S.B.=s testimony was necessary to protect S.B.=s welfare.  Rather, the trial
court was required to determine only the reliability of S.B.=s statements.  See id. at
16-17.  Here, the trial court heard
arguments from both sides on Thompson=s interactions with the children and her counseling methods and
determined that the statements S.B. made to her were reliable.[4]
Although appellant also
claims that Thompson=s testimony
in lieu of Y.B.=s testimony
was improperly admitted, appellant did not raise this objection at trial.  Therefore, he did not preserve this point for
our review.  See Tex. R. App. P. 33.1(a)(1).
Even if the trial court had
erroneously admitted Thompson=s testimony into evidence, these statements only support other
properly admitted testimony that the children were home when appellant stabbed
Serena and Ricky.  Thus, the evidence is
cumulative of other evidence admitted without objection.  See 

Richardson v. Green, 677 S.W.2d 497, 501 (Tex. 1984) (holding that error in the admission
of evidence is harmless if the objecting party permits the admission of the
same or similar evidence without objection). 
Accordingly, we overrule this part of appellant=s second point.
V. Endangerment and Best
Interest of the Children
A.  Endangerment Findings
In his third point, appellant
first argues that the evidence is legally and factually insufficient to support
the trial court=s findings
that appellant (1) engaged in conduct which endangered the children=s physical or emotional well-being and (2) knowingly placed or
knowingly allowed the children to remain in conditions which endangered their
physical or emotional well-being.

A parent=s rights to Athe
companionship, care, custody, and management@ of his or her children are constitutional interests Afar more precious than any property right.@  Santosky v. Kramer, 455
U.S. 745, 758-59, 102 S. Ct. 1388, 1397 (1982). 
AWhile parental rights are of constitutional magnitude, they are not
absolute.  Just as it is imperative for
courts to recognize the constitutional underpinnings of the parent-child
relationship, it is also essential that emotional and physical interests of the
child not be sacrificed merely to preserve that right.@  In re C.H., 89 S.W.3d
17, 26 (Tex. 2002).  In a termination
case, the State seeks not just to limit parental rights but to end them
permanentlyCto divest
the parent and child of all legal rights, privileges, duties, and powers
normally existing between them, except for the child=s right to inherit.  Tex. Fam. Code Ann. ' 161.206(b) (Vernon Supp. 2006); Holick, 685 S.W.2d at 20.  We strictly scrutinize termination
proceedings and strictly construe involuntary termination statutes in favor of
the parent.  Holick, 685 S.W.2d at
20-21; In re D.T., 34 S.W.3d 625, 630 (Tex. App.CFort Worth 2000, pet. denied) (op. on reh=g).
In proceedings to terminate
the parent‑child relationship brought under section 161.001 of the family
code, the petitioner must establish one or more of the acts or omissions
enumerated under subdivision (1) of the statute and must also prove that
termination is in the best interest of the child under subdivision (2).  Tex.
Fam. Code Ann. ' 161.001(1),
(2) (Vernon Supp. 2006); Richardson, 677 S.W.2d at 499; Swate v.
Swate, 72 S.W.3d 763, 766 (Tex. App.CWaco 2002, pet. denied).  Both
elements must be established; termination may not be based solely on the best
interest of the child as determined by the trier of fact.  Tex. Dep=t of Human Servs. v. Boyd, 727 S.W.2d
531, 533 (Tex. 1987).

Termination of parental
rights is a drastic remedy and is of such weight and gravity that due process
also requires the petitioner to justify termination by clear and convincing
evidence.  Tex. Fam. Code Ann. '' 161.001, 161.206(a); In re G.M., 596 S.W.2d 846, 847 (Tex.
1980).  This intermediate standard falls
between the preponderance standard of ordinary civil proceedings and the
reasonable doubt standard of criminal proceedings.  G.M., 596 S.W.2d at 847; D.T.,
34 S.W.3d at 630.  It is defined as the Ameasure 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 2002).  
                         1.  Legal Sufficiency Standard of Review

The higher burden of proof in
termination cases alters the appellate standard of legal sufficiency
review.  In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d
256, 265 (Tex. 2002).  The traditional
no-evidence standard does not adequately protect the parent=s constitutional interests.  Id.
 In reviewing the evidence for legal
sufficiency in parental termination cases, we must determine Awhether the evidence is such that a factfinder could reasonably form a
firm belief or conviction@ that the
grounds for termination were proven.  Id.
at 265-66.  We must review all the
evidence in the light most favorable to the finding and judgment.  Id. at 266.  This means that we must assume that the
factfinder resolved any disputed facts in favor of its finding if a reasonable
factfinder could have done so.  Id.  We must also disregard all evidence that a
reasonable factfinder could have disbelieved. 
Id.  We must consider,
however, undisputed evidence even if it does not support the finding.  Id. 
If we determine that no reasonable factfinder could form a firm belief
or conviction that the grounds for termination were proven, then the evidence
is legally insufficient, and we must render judgment for the parent.  Id.
                        2.  Factual Sufficiency Standard of Review 
The higher burden of proof in
termination cases also alters the appellate standard of factual sufficiency
review.  C.H., 89 S.W.3d at
25.  A[A] finding that must be based on clear and convincing evidence cannot
be viewed on appeal the same as one that may be sustained on a mere
preponderance.@  Id. 
In considering whether the evidence of termination rises to the level of
being clear and convincing, we must determine Awhether the evidence is such that a factfinder could reasonably form a
firm belief or conviction@ that the
grounds for termination were proven.  Id.  Our inquiry here is whether, on the entire record,
a factfinder could reasonably form a firm conviction or belief that the parent
violated one of the conduct provisions of section 161.001(1) and that the
termination of the parent=s parental
rights would be in the best interest of the child.  Id. at 28. 
                                            3.  Analysis

Here, there is evidence that
appellant murdered Serena while the children were present.  Officer Matthew Hardy testified that
appellant had admitted to stabbing both Serena and Ricky at Serena=s home and then attempting suicide at his own residence.  Appellant also admitted that although
four-year-old Y.B. and five-year-old S.B. were not in the same room of the
stabbing, they were at Serena=s house when it occurred.
Additionally, S.B. stated
that he saw appellant cut Ricky, saw appellant jump on Serena, and saw Serena=s bloody body after appellant had stabbed her.  For months after that, S.B. would only talk
about Serena=s
death.  Y.B. stated that she was in the
living room when appellant called Serena a Abitch,@ slapped
her, and then pulled out a knife and stabbed her.  Y.B. also saw Serena=s bloody body after the stabbing. 
Evidence at trial also showed that appellant had used crack cocaine and
marijuana, had cared for the children while using drugs, and had abused Serena
on more than one occasion.

Appellant argues that the
testimony against him on the 161.001(1)(E) claim was full of Ahearsay and conjecture, as well as erroneous, contradictory,
unreliable, speculative and conclusory statements.@  Appellant=s only assertion supporting this statement is that Thompson was not a
licensed therapist and that the trial court erred by allowing her to testify in
lieu of the children.  However, numerous
witnesses provided testimony consistent with Thompson=s testimony that appellant stabbed both Serena and Ricky while the
children were home.  Additionally,
appellant did not object to the evidence offered at trial that he used drugs
while caring for the children and had abused Serena in the past.  For these reasons, we conclude that appellant=s 161.001(E) argument is unpersuasive.       
Based on our review of the
entire record, we conclude that a factfinder could reasonably form a firm
belief or conviction that appellant engaged in conduct  that endangered the physical or emotional
well-being of S.B. and Y.B., and therefore, we hold that the evidence is
legally and factually sufficient to support the trial court=s finding.  See Tex. Fam. Code Ann. ' 161.001(1)(E); J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d at 266; C.H., 89
S.W.3d at 28.
Because a petitioner need
establish only one of the acts or omissions enumerated under subdivision (1) of
section 161.001, we need not address whether the evidence is legally and
factually sufficient to support the trial court=s finding that appellant knowingly placed or knowingly allowed his
children to remain in conditions which endangered their physical or emotional
well-being.  See Tex. Fam. Code Ann. _
161.001(1)(D); In re A.J.L., 136 S.W.3d 293, 305 (Tex. App.CFort Worth 2004, no pet.); In re S.F., 32 S.W.3d 318, 320 (Tex.
App.CSan Antonio 2000, no pet.). 
Instead, we will next consider whether the trial court=s finding that termination of appellant=s parental rights was in the children=s best interest was factually insufficient.  See Tex.
Fam. Code Ann. ' 161.001(2).

B.  Appellant=s Best-Interest Claim
Nonexclusive factors that the
trier of fact in a termination case may use in determining the best interest of
the child 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); In re M.N.G., 147
S.W.3d 521, 539 (Tex. App._Fort Worth 2004, pet. denied). 
These factors are not exhaustive. 
Some listed factors may be inapplicable to some cases; other factors not
on the list may also be considered when appropriate.  In re C.H., 89 S.W.3d at 27; In re
M.N.G., 147 S.W.3d at 539. 
Furthermore, undisputed evidence of just one factor may be sufficient in
a particular case to support a finding that termination is in the best interest
of the child.  In re C.H., 89
S.W.3d at 27; In re M.N.G., 147 S.W.3d at 539.  On the other hand, the presence of scant
evidence relevant to each Holley factor will not support such a
finding.  In re C.H., 89 S.W.3d at
27; In re M.N.G., 147 S.W.3d at 539.
In addition to the above, a
parent=s inability to provide adequate care for the child, lack of parenting
skills, poor judgment, and repeated instances of immoral conduct may also be
considered when looking at the child=s best interest.  In re
C.A.J., 122 S.W.3d 888, 893 (Tex. App.CFort Worth 2003, no pet.).  We
now address those factors for which relevant evidence was admitted.  
1.  The Emotional and Physical Danger to the
Children Now and in the Future
 
Officer Hardy, Thompson, and
the children all testified that the children were present when appellant
stabbed Serena and Ricky.  Further,
appellant admitted that although S.B. and Y.B. were not in the same room of the
stabbing, they were at Serena=s house when it occurred. 
Appellant=s violent
tendencies clearly pose a physical danger to S.B. and Y.B. now and in the
future.  See Holley, 544 S.W.2d at
371‑72.  Additionally, by
stabbing both Serena and Ricky while his children were home, appellant placed
them in severe emotional danger.  See
id.

The evidence at trial also
showed that appellant used crack cocaine and marijuana, had cared for the
children while using drugs, had abused Serena on more than on occasion, knew
that Serena was a prostitute and used crack cocaine, and knew that the children
lived with Serena when she and appellant separated.  Additionally, while Serena and appellant maintained
custody of the children, neither S.B. nor Y.B. attended school regularly and
the power and water in their home had been turned off at least once.  Even without considering appellant=s stabbing of Serena and Ricky and its impact on S.B. and Y.B., the
evidence supports a finding that appellant was indifferent to his children=s physical and emotional safety during much of their young lives.  These instances support the trial court=s finding that termination is in the best interest of the
children.  See In re C.H., 89
S.W.3d at 27; In re M.N.G., 147 S.W.3d at 539. 
2.  The Plans for the Children by the Agency
Seeking Custody_The
Stability of the Home or Proposed Placement
 

John Holden and Denita
Bramer, S.B. and Y.B.=s maternal
uncle and his wife, have expressed an interest in adopting both children.  Appellant asserts that Holden is unfit to
maintain custody of the children because he smoked crack cocaine in the
past.  However, Holden passed two drug
tests during CPS=s screening
process.  CPS  granted the couple possessory conservatorship
of the children after making several visits to their home and conducting a
relative home study. 
At trial, multiple witnesses
testified that S.B. and Y.B. have exhibited Awonderful improvements@ since moving in with Holden and Bramer, who provide the children with
stability and love.  Both children are
happy, attend school regularly, and show affection towards Bramer and Holden.    
The evidence here shows that
S.B. and Y.B.=s lifestyle
improved immensely after CPS placed them with Bramer and Holden, supporting the
trial court=s finding
that termination was in the children=s best interest.  See In re
C.H., 89 S.W.3d at 27; In re M.N.G., 147 S.W.3d at 539.  
Appellant claims that
ThompsonCthe children=s counselorCwas not a licensed therapist familiar with the children=s paternal relatives and that the trial court consequently erred by
relying on her testimony when making best-interest determinations.  Appellant, however, did not object to
Thompson=s qualifications or testimony about the paternal relatives at
trial.  Therefore, appellant did not
preserve this point for our review.  See
Tex. R. App. P. 33.1(a)(1).      
 
 

3.  The Acts or Omissions of the Parent Which May
Indicate that the Existing Parent-Children Relationship is Not a Proper One
 
Evidence of a parent=s unstable lifestyle can support a factfinder=s conclusion that termination is in the child=s best interest.  In re D.S.,
176 S.W.3d 873, 879 (Tex. App.CFort Worth 2005, no pet.).  A
parent=s drug use, inability to provide a stable home, and failure to comply
with his family service plan support a finding that termination is in the best
interest of the child.  Id.  At the time of trial, appellant was
facing a potentially long-term incarceration for murdering Serena and stabbing
Ricky.  A trial court may consider
incarceration as a best-interest factor. 
See In re J.B.W., 99 S.W.3d 218, 229 (Tex. App.CFort Worth 2003, pet. denied) (holding that incarceration is one
factor courts can consider when determining the best interest of a child in a
termination case).
Appellant is also a drug
user.  Several witnesses during trial
testified that appellant used both crack cocaine and marijuana.    
The evidence also showed that
prior to the termination trial, appellant 
had not written any letters to S.B. or Y.B., had not completed any tasks
on his CPS Plan, and had never attempted to contact CPS about the children.

Based upon our review of the
entire record, we conclude that the trial court could have reasonably formed a
firm conviction or belief that termination of appellant=s rights was in S.B.=s and Y.B.=s best
interest.  Therefore, we hold that the
evidence is factually sufficient to support the trial court=s finding that termination is in S.B.=s and Y.B.=s best
interest.  
Accordingly, we overrule
appellant=s third
point.
VI.  Conclusion
Having overruled appellant=s second and third points and dismissed his first point, we affirm the
trial court=s order.
 
 
TERRIE LIVINGSTON
JUSTICE
 
PANEL F:    LIVINGSTON, DAUPHINOT, and HOLMAN, JJ.
 
DELIVERED:
November 2, 2006

[1]Tex. Fam. Code Ann. '
263.405(i) (Vernon Supp. 2006); In re C.R., No. 02-06-00099-CV (Tex.
App.CFort
Worth Nov. 2, 2006, no pet. h.) (mem. op.) (Livingston, J., concurring)
(analyzing this statute); In re D.A.R., 201 S.W.3d 229, 230 (Tex. App.CFort
Worth 2006, no pet.) (same).  

[2]Appellant
raised two additional issues in his statement of points.  Because he did not argue those issues in his
brief, we need not address them.  See
Tex. R. App. P. 38.1(e).

[3]See
In re A.J.H., No. 02-06-00083-CV, 2006 WL 2773662, at *1 (Tex.
App.CFort
Worth Sept. 28, 2006, no pet. h.) (citing House
Comm. on Juvenile Justice and Family Issues, Bill Analysis, Tex. H.B.
409, 79th Leg., R.S. (2005) which provides that if a party points out a mistake
warranting a new trial, the trial court can immediately order a new trial,
accomplishing the legislative policy of decreasing post-judgment delay in
termination cases).  

[4]
Appellant did not challenge the reliability of the statements S.B. made to
Thompson.