Court Opinion

ID: 4284634
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-06-15 10:48:29.648224+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:35:22.632277
License: Public Domain

In The

                                 Court of Appeals
                     Ninth District of Texas at Beaumont
                            ____________________
                               NO. 09-18-00050-CV
                            ____________________

                  IN THE INTEREST OF H.D.M. AND J.D.B.

                    On Appeal from the County Court at Law
                              Polk County, Texas
                          Trial Cause No. PC06721

                           MEMORANDUM OPINION

      After a bench trial, the trial court entered an order terminating Appellant

L.G.’s parental rights to her minor children H.D.M. and J.D.B.1 At the time of trial,

H.D.M. was eight years old and J.D.B. was seven years old. L.G. appeals the

termination order, and in a single issue, she challenges the sufficiency of the

evidence to support a finding that termination of her parental rights is in the best

interest of her children. We affirm.

      1
         We use initials to protect the identity of the children. See Tex. R. App. P.
9.8. Other persons are identified, as necessary, with initials or designations based on
their respective relationship with the children and role in this case. See Tex. Fam.
Code Ann. § 109.002(d) (West Supp. 2017); Tex. R. App. P. 9.8.
                                           1
                               Procedural Background

      On October 6, 2016, the Department of Family and Protective Services (the

“Department”) filed an Original Petition for Protection of a Child, for

Conservatorship, and for Termination in Suit Affecting the Parent-Child

Relationship (“the petition”). The petition named L.G. as the mother and J.B. as the

father of H.D.M., who was seven years old, and of J.D.B., who was six years old.2

In the petition, the Department requested that the trial court appoint the Department

as the children’s temporary managing conservator because “continuation of the

children in the home would be contrary to the children’s welfare[.]” The petition

also requested that the trial court appoint the Department as the children’s permanent

sole managing conservator if the children could not be reunified with either parent

or permanently placed with a relative or other suitable person for placement, and that

L.G.’s and J.B.’s parental rights be terminated if reunification could not be achieved.

      The petition was supported by a sworn and notarized affidavit of a Department

representative, describing the circumstances necessitating removal. According to the

affidavit, the Department received a report on October 5, 2016, that adults at the

home were being arrested for methamphetamines found in the home and that the

      2
        J.B., the children’s father, is not a party to this appeal, and we discuss him
herein only as necessary to our disposition.
                                            2
drugs had possibly been used in the children’s presence. L.G. had admitted to recent

meth use in the home, and no other family members were available or willing to care

for the children. The affidavit alleged that L.G. had a prior history with CPS,

including allegations of neglectful supervision. The affidavit also alleged that J.B.

had a criminal history, which included numerous convictions.

      After a status hearing on December 20, 2016, the trial court entered an order

requiring the parents to complete a service plan, requiring that visitation between the

parents and the children be supervised, and setting a date for a permanency hearing.

L.G.’s service plan required her to, among other things, complete a psychosocial

evaluation, maintain safe housing for the family, complete a drug assessment,

complete parenting classes, participate in random drug testing, attend individual

counseling, and maintain contact with her caseworker.

      After a bench trial, the trial court signed a final order of termination on

February 2, 2018, naming the Department as permanent managing conservator of

the children and terminating both L.G.’s and J.B.’s parental rights as to H.D.M. and

J.D.B. The trial court found by clear and convincing evidence that (1) L.G. had

engaged in conduct or knowingly placed the children with persons who engaged in

conduct that endangers the physical or emotional well-being of the children and (2)

                                          3
termination of L.G.’s parental rights to H.D.M. and J.D.B. was in the children’s best

interest. L.G. appealed.

                                     Evidence

Testimony of CPS Investigator

      A CPS Investigator testified that the Department received an intake in October

of 2016 that alleged neglectful supervision because law enforcement found

methamphetamines and paraphernalia in the home of H.D.M. and J.D.B. The

Investigator met with L.G. at the Polk County jail, who admitted to weekly use of

methamphetamines. The Investigator also testified that L.G. tested positive for

methamphetamines. According to the Investigator, none of the individuals L.G.

identified as possible placements were willing to take the children.

Testimony of CPS Caseworker

      A CPS Caseworker testified that he had been the children’s caseworker for

over a year. The Caseworker agreed that services were provided to L.G., a service

plan had been developed for her that included maintaining contact with CPS,

notifying the caseworker of any changes, random drug testing, a psychosocial

assessment, counseling, and maintaining safe housing. The Caseworker explained

that L.G. did not complete all the requirements of her service plan: she did not have

an assessment, and she had some positive drug tests. According to the Caseworker,

                                          4
L.G. had some visits with the children, but she also missed some visits and was late

to others. The Caseworker testified that L.G. had inconsistent employment and was

“unstable and not in a position to take the kids.” The Caseworker also explained that

L.G. had told him that her home was foreclosed on and she was moving, but L.G.

never provided him any updated information about where she was living. According

to the Caseworker, at one point, the water at L.G.’s home had been disconnected.

The Caseworker explained that, due to L.G.’s struggle with drugs, arrangements had

been made for an assessment for drug rehabilitation, but that L.G. could not be

located for the assessment and drug test, and L.G. had told the Caseworker she

wanted to try to find her “own rehab.” According to the Caseworker, L.G. “didn’t

last long” at any of her jobs. The Caseworker also explained that the children had

reported they had observed L.G. in an argument with one of her boyfriends, and that

the boyfriend had kicked down a light pole at the house, although L.G. had been

instructed that her boyfriend was not to come to the house while the children were

there because of his history of drugs. The Caseworker testified that the damaged

light pole was a safety concern. The Caseworker also testified that L.G. explained

she had missed some hearings because “she was having car trouble or forgot about

it[]” and she told the Caseworker that she was “‘fighting an addiction and struggling

to stay sober[.]’” At one point, the children informed the Caseworker that they had

                                         5
to walk home late at night because they had to take a bath at a friend’s house due to

the water being off at their house. The Caseworker also testified that L.G. repeatedly

complained of having issues with transportation.

      The Caseworker explained that in 2014, L.G. and J.B. had voluntarily brought

the children to CPS because they were unable to care for them. At that time, L.G.

completed her service plan and she was able to get the two children at issue in this

proceeding returned to her.3 According to the Caseworker, during the 2014 CPS

case, L.G. had issues with instability, drugs, employment, and mental health.

      The Caseworker testified that after the children were removed they have been

doing well with the foster parents. The Caseworker testified that L.G.’s supervised

visits with her children went well, and the children love their mother and like being

with her, yet he recommended termination of L.G.’s parental rights because L.G.

was still unemployed, unstable, and there is no home for the children to stay in. The

Caseworker agreed that the children’s best interest had been endangered by “the

company that [L.G.] continued to bring around the children[.]”

      3
       An older child was not returned to L.G., but that child was not part of this
proceeding.
                                       6
Testimony of the School Counselor

      A counselor from the children’s school (“Counselor”) testified that J.D.B. was

in one of her social skills group. The Counselor explained that the primary issues

she observed in J.D.B. were silliness and disrespect. She also observed that he had

come to school “unkept and unclean” and was tardy or absent. The Counselor

explained that sometimes his clothes were dirty and his clothes were “either way too

big or way too small.” Over the course of the school year, the Counselor observed

that J.D.B.’s appearance got worse.

      The Counselor explained that, upon occasion, she would receive a referral on

H.D.M. for walking out of class or hiding under her desk. The Counselor explained

that H.D.M. had told her there was no running water at their home, and the Counselor

observed H.D.M. also to have the same “unkept and unclean” appearance as J.D.B.,

and that her appearance also got worse over time. The Counselor explained that she

tried at one point to get clean clothes, but that H.D.M. told her she could not accept

them because she would get in trouble.

      According to the Counselor, she was familiar with the children from a

previous school they attended and where she worked. The Counselor explained that

at the previous school, J.D.B. had “a lot of aggressive behavior” including biting and

pushing other students and that H.D.M. would “shut down[]” upon occasion. The

                                          7
Counselor testified that J.D.B. and H.D.M. did not have issues with cleanliness at

the prior school.

      The Counselor agreed that the children were developmentally on target and

that she did not notice any signs of abuse. The Counselor did not agree that the

children were relatively happy, and she explained that H.D.M. was afraid for the

school to contact L.G. The Counselor testified that she had been unable to contact

L.G. about issues with the children because the phone was not connected or would

not permit a caller to leave a message.

Testimony of the Assistant Principal

      An assistant principal (“Principal”) from the children’s school testified that

the children first came to her attention due to tardiness. The Principal explained that

H.D.M. was tardy at least once a week. The Principal explained that she had been

unable to address tardiness with L.G. because L.G.’s phone number did not work.

She had also been called by teachers for assistance because H.D.M. was hiding

underneath a table, leaving the classroom, or refusing to do her work. The Principal

explained that H.D.M.’s clothes seemed too small, and both children “looked like

they needed a bath.”

                                          8
Testimony of the Therapist

      A licensed professional counselor (“Therapist”) testified that L.G. had been

referred to him for a psychosocial assessment and counseling. An assessment of L.G.

“indicated that she may have had problems with alcohol and drugs and also possibly

depression[]” but it did not result in a diagnosis. The Therapist testified that L.G.’s

treatment plan included relapse prevention, parenting skills, and stress management,

and that she completed her counseling with him.

      The Therapist agreed that he had sent CPS a report concerning L.G. and

agreed that he had described L.G.’s interpersonal style as warm and friendly. The

Therapist also testified that L.G. had been cooperative and appeared motivated to

work her treatment plan. The Therapist explained that L.G. appeared to have the

ability to follow through with a plan for relapse prevention and she seemed to have

been following the requirements of a sobriety organization. The Therapist testified

that he understood L.G. had about five months of negative drug tests and he was not

informed that she had failed any drug test.

Testimony of CPS Conservatorship Supervisor

      A conservatorship supervisor for CPS (“Supervisor”) testified that she was

involved with H.D.M. and J.D.B. in the present case as well as a prior CPS case. The

Supervisor explained that initially L.G. had completed several requirements of her

                                          9
service plan and appeared not to be using drugs, and CPS felt it would be safe to

permit a monitored return of the children in July of 2017. According to the

Supervisor, concerns arose shortly thereafter when the Caseworker was made aware

that there was no water in the home, L.G. could not be reached, padlocks were on

the doors of the home, and there were reports that the children were tardy to school.

The Supervisor explained that, when she and the Caseworker went to L.G.’s home

on October 16, 2017, she observed a utility pole suspended in the air. According to

the Supervisor, L.G. did not have an explanation for the broken pole, but that later

conversations with the children and L.G. revealed that L.G.’s “former paramour[]”

S.O. had gotten mad and broken the pole and the reason that padlocks were on the

doors was because S.O. had broken the locks. The Supervisor also explained that

S.O.’s most recent arrest had been for possession of methamphetamine. During a

subsequent visit, L.G. admitted that the water had been off “for more than a couple

of weeks.” The Supervisor explained that the children told her they had been told

not to tell her about the water being off. The children also told the Supervisor that

they had to stay the night somewhere else due to the house not having water.

According to the Supervisor, she learned from the children that S.O. had been

staying at the home even though L.G. had been instructed that he should not be there.

                                         10
      The Supervisor testified that L.G. had not maintained a phone and she used

various phones to contact the Department. The Supervisor also explained that L.G.

had told her caseworker that her house was being foreclosed on and that she was

looking into getting an RV. According to the Supervisor, L.G. did not comply with

drug testing requirements, had not notified the Department of changes to her

household, and did not keep the utilities working. The Supervisor further testified

that L.G. had not shown up to a visitation scheduled for December 28 and had

explained it was because she was battling an addiction and she had a flat tire. The

Supervisor explained that L.G. would not allow the Department to get clothing for

the children and that, at some point, the Department learned that the children had not

been taking their medication.

      The Supervisor testified that it was in the best interest of the children to

terminate L.G.’s parental rights because the children have spent a large majority of

recent years with CPS involvement and foster care; L.G. did little to get the children

back in her first CPS case; L.G. was deceitful and dishonest with CPS; L.G. had not

complied with requested drug testing; L.G. did not make an effort to obtain a safe

and stable home for the children; and L.G. has not demonstrated an ability to care

for the children. The Supervisor explained that some of L.G.’s struggles are based

upon economics, but that L.G.’s “drug issues” were not related to economics.

                                         11
Testimony of the Court Appointed Special Advocate

      The Court Appointed Special Advocate (“CASA”) testified that she had been

working with the children since March of 2017. The CASA explained that

termination of L.G.’s parental rights would be in the children’s best interest because

“it would give them some stability.” The CASA also explained that she believed that

L.G. “presents some circumstances” that would be dangerous to the children.

According to the CASA, although some of L.G.’s problems are economic in nature,

the CASA also believed L.G. has created some of her economic problems, such as

leaving jobs because she did not want to use her gasoline and car. The CASA

testified that she had visited with the children three or four times since the monitored

return had failed, and the children never told her during those visits that they wanted

to go back home. According to the CASA, during those visits, the children were

happier than they were before, and she explained that their performance and

behavior at school had improved.

Testimony of L.G.

      L.G. did not appear at trial but did testify by phone.4 According to L.G. she

knew a trial was “coming up[]” but she did not know the date of the trial because

      4
        At the beginning of the trial, L.G.’s attorney explained that he had not been
able to contact L.G. and he did not know why L.G. was not present for trial.
                                          12
she was never told a date for the trial. L.G. testified that she “[v]aguely[]” recalled

agreeing to a family service plan that she would “get back on [her] feet, get a home,

a stable environment, a job and reliable transportation.” She also recalled agreeing

to a drug assessment, and she explained that she understood the Department was

supposed to identify a follow-through plan, drug classes, or rehab, but that no one

had ever presented her with such a plan. L.G. agreed that after the monitored return,

S.O. was renting a spare room in her house and she ended up having to get a

protective order on him. L.G. agreed that S.O. had become violent and that S.O.

broke a utility pole and that she ordered him off her property and put padlocks on

the doors. L.G. agreed that the water in her home had been turned off, but she

explained that it was because previous renters had run up an extremely high bill that

they had not paid. According to L.G., the home was without water for about three

weeks, but the children were able to use the neighbors’ water. She denied that she

ever sent her children to school dirty. L.G. admitted that sometimes the children

were late for school. L.G. explained that she had quit some of her jobs, and that at

the time of trial she was working but she did not consider it a job because she was

not on the payroll. However, she testified that the person she assisted would

sometimes pay her about $300 a week in cash. L.G. denied that she was using drugs

at the time of trial but she admitted she had used drugs in the past. She explained

                                          13
that three of her phones had been stolen since her children had been removed. L.G.

explained that if the children were to get sick while in her possession, she could get

them to a doctor by use of a “Medicaid taxi.”

      L.G. believed that she could stay away from drugs and support and care for

her children, and she explained that she now owned her home and had a vehicle,

although the vehicle lacked a tire and current registration. L.G. described her

relationship with her children as “wonderful[]” and “really close.” L.G. claimed that

she had given the attorneys the names of “plenty of family members” and “friends”

who were willing to help her and would be willing to care for her children. L.G.’s

cell phone disconnected several times during her testimony and then the trial court

called her back and she continued her testimony. At some point during her

testimony, the cell phone disconnected again and the trial court was unable to reach

L.G. again after making several attempts.

                                 Standard of Review

      The decision to terminate parental rights must be supported by clear and

convincing evidence, that 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.” Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 101.007 (West 2014); In re J.L.,

163 S.W.3d 79, 84 (Tex. 2005). The movant must show that the parent committed

                                          14
one or more predicate acts or omissions and that termination is in the child’s best

interest. See Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 161.001 (West Supp. 2017); see also In re J.L.,
163 S.W.3d at 84. We will affirm a judgment if any one of the grounds is supported

by legally and factually sufficient evidence and the best interest finding is also

supported by legally and factually sufficient evidence. In re C.A.C., No. 09-10-

00477-CV, 2011 Tex. App. LEXIS 3385, at **13-14 (Tex. App.—Beaumont May

5, 2011, no pet.) (mem. op.).

      In a civil case tried without a jury, a complaint regarding the sufficiency of

the evidence “may be made for the first time on appeal[.]” Tex. R. App. P. 33.1(d);

see Nelson v. Najm, 127 S.W.3d 170, 176 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2003,

pet. denied) (“It is well settled that challenges to the sufficiency of the evidence in

nonjury cases may be raised for the first time on appeal.”). In reviewing the legal

sufficiency of the evidence in a parental rights termination case, we must consider

all the evidence in the light most favorable to the finding to determine whether a

reasonable factfinder could have formed a firm belief or conviction that its finding

was true. In re J.O.A., 283 S.W.3d 336, 344-45 (Tex. 2009) (citing In re J.F.C., 96
S.W.3d 256, 266 (Tex. 2002)). We assume the factfinder resolved disputed facts in

favor of its finding if a reasonable factfinder could do so, and we disregard all

evidence that a reasonable factfinder could have disbelieved. Id. (citing In re J.F.C.,

                                          15
96 S.W.3d at 266). We “give due consideration to evidence that the factfinder could

reasonably have found to be clear and convincing.” In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d at 266.

We must determine “‘whether the evidence is such that a factfinder could reasonably

form a firm belief or conviction about the truth of the State’s allegations.’” Id.

(quoting In re C.H., 89 S.W.3d 17, 25 (Tex. 2002)). “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, then the evidence is factually insufficient.” Id. We give

due deference to the factfinder’s findings and we cannot substitute our own judgment

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

factfinder is the sole arbiter when assessing the credibility and demeanor of the

witnesses. See id. at 109 (citing In re J.L., 163 S.W.3d 79, 86-87 (Tex. 2005)).

                              Best Interest of the Child

      Appellant’s sole issue on appeal challenges the sufficiency of the evidence

supporting the finding that termination of her parental rights is in the children’s best

interest. According to Appellant, “the case was tried on innuendo regarding

Appellant’s financial and economic failings[.]” Appellant argues that the children

were in good health, they had never come to any physical harm in her care, and there

                                          16
was no testimony indicating that she was not meeting the emotional and physical

needs of the children.

      Trial courts have wide latitude in determining a child’s best interest. See

Gillespie v. Gillespie, 644 S.W.2d 449, 451 (Tex. 1982). Nevertheless, there is a

strong presumption that the best interest of a child is served by keeping the child

with his or her natural parent. In re R.R., 209 S.W.3d 112, 116 (Tex. 2006); In re

D.R.A., 374 S.W.3d 528, 533 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2012, no pet.).

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 Supp.

2017).

      The Family Code outlines a number of factors to be considered in determining

whether a parent is willing and able to provide a safe environment for a child. Id.

§ 263.307(b). There are several factors that may be considered when determining

whether termination of parental rights is in the best interest of the child, including:

(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) 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

                                          17
stability of the home or proposed placement, (8) the acts or omissions of the parent

that 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. See Holley v. Adams, 544
S.W.2d 367, 371-72 (Tex. 1976) (setting forth the “Holley factors” and noting “[t]his

listing is by no means exhaustive[]”). No particular Holley factor is controlling, and

evidence of one factor may be sufficient to support a finding that termination is in

the child’s best interest. See M.C. v. Tex. Dep’t of Family & Protective Servs., 300
S.W.3d 305, 311 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2009, pet. denied) (“Undisputed evidence of

just one factor may be sufficient to support a finding that termination is in the best

interest of a child.”) (citing In re C.H., 89 S.W.3d at 27); In the Interest of A.P., 184
S.W.3d 410, 414 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2006, no pet.).

      The best interest determination may rely on direct or circumstantial evidence,

subjective facts, and the totality of the evidence. In re N.R.T., 338 S.W.3d 667, 677

(Tex. App.—Amarillo 2011, no pet.). If, in light of the entire record, no reasonable

factfinder could form a firm belief or conviction that termination was in H.D.M.’s

and J.D.B.’s best interest, then we must conclude that the evidence is legally

insufficient to support termination. See In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d at 266.

      Illegal drug use and drug-related criminal activity of the parents or caregivers

may support a conclusion that the child’s surroundings endanger the child’s physical

                                           18
or emotional well-being. See In re J.T.G., 121 S.W.3d 117, 125 (Tex. App.—Fort

Worth 2003, no pet.) (citing In re S.D., 980 S.W.2d 758, 763 (Tex. App.—San

Antonio 1998, pet. denied)). Likewise, a parent’s drug use as well as the inability to

provide a safe or stable home may be considered in determining parental ability. See

In re J.S.B., Nos. 01-17-00480-CV, 01-17-00481-CV, & 01-17-00484-CV, 2017

Tex. App. LEXIS 11930, at **60-61 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Dec. 21, 2017,

pet. denied) (mem. op.). While poverty should not be a basis for termination of

parental rights, a parent’s inability to provide basic utilities in the family home may

constitute evidence of endangerment of the children’s well-being. See Doria v. Tex.

Dep’t of Human Res., 747 S.W.2d 953, 958 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 1988, no

writ) (explaining that a parent who left her children at a home without electricity,

water, or heat was “compelling evidence” of child endangerment). In addition,

evidence of a parent’s inability to maintain stable employment may support a

conclusion that termination is in the children’s best interest. See In re A.A.B., Nos.

14-16-00855-CV & 14-16-00918-CV, 2017 Tex. App. LEXIS 3131, at **23-24

(Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] Apr. 11, 2017, pet. denied) (mem. op.).

      In this case, Appellant does not challenge the trial court’s statutory finding

that L.G. had engaged in conduct or knowingly placed the children with persons who

engaged in conduct that endangers the physical or emotional well-being of the

                                          19
children. See Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 161.001(b)(1)(E) (West Supp. 2017). Evidence

that proves one or more statutory grounds for termination may also constitute

evidence that termination is in the child’s best interest. See In re C.H., 89 S.W.3d
17, 28 (Tex. 2002) (citing Holley, 544 S.W.2d at 370; Wiley v. Spratlan, 543 S.W.2d
349, 351 (Tex. 1976)); In re C.J.O., 325 S.W.3d 261, 266 (Tex. App.—Eastland

2010, pet. denied) (citing In re C.J.F., 134 S.W.3d 343, 354 (Tex. App.—Amarillo

2003, no pet.).

      The testimony at trial provided evidence that L.G. had longstanding issues

with illegal drug use, she had failed to complete required drug testing and

assessment, and she had exhibited a pattern of unstable employment and unreliable

transportation. School personnel testified that the children were often absent or

tardy, were “unkept and unclean,” and had behavioral issues in the classroom.

Representatives of both the children’s school and the Department were repeatedly

unable to reach L.G. due to her failure to provide accurate phone numbers or to

maintain a working phone. L.G. kept a friend or boarder in the family home, despite

instructions from the Department not to do so, who had a history with drugs, became

aggressive and violent, and who kicked down a utility pole. L.G.’s home had periods

where the water was disconnected, and the children were sent to neighbors’ homes

                                        20
at night for baths. Some testimony suggested that the children were not properly

receiving prescribed medications.

      Given L.G.’s failure to provide a safe and stable environment for the children

and to ensure they were clean and cared for, together with her lack of parenting

skills, and her failure to complete the requirements of her plan, among other things,

the trial court was presented with clear and convincing evidence that termination of

L.G.’s parental rights was in H.D.M.’s and J.D.B.’s best interest. See, e.g., In re J.D.,

436 S.W.3d 105, 119 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2014, no pet.) (“A parent’s

inability to provide adequate care for her children, unstable lifestyle, . . . lack of

parenting skills, and poor judgment may be considered when looking at the

children’s best interest.”); see also In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d at 266; Toliver v. Tex.

Dep’t of Family and Protective Servs., 217 S.W.3d 85, 102 (Tex. App.—Houston

[1st Dist.] 2006, no pet.). Viewing the record as a whole, and having considered the

Holley factors and the evidence the trial court had before it, we conclude the trial

court’s best-interest finding is supported by legally and factually sufficient evidence.

See In re C.A.C., 2011 Tex. App. LEXIS 3385, at **13-14. We overrule her issue

on appeal, and we affirm the trial court’s final order.

                                           21
      AFFIRMED.

                                               _________________________
                                                  LEANNE JOHNSON
                                                        Justice

Submitted on April 23, 2018
Opinion Delivered June 14, 2018

Before Kreger, Horton, and Johnson, JJ.

                                          22