Court Opinion

ID: 9898806
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-11-15 09:09:17.9477+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:18:04.968402
License: Public Domain

In The
                             Court of Appeals
               Sixth Appellate District of Texas at Texarkana

                                      No. 06-22-00020-CV

                     IN THE INTEREST OF A.B. AND D.B., CHILDREN

                            On Appeal from the 307th District Court
                                     Gregg County, Texas
                                Trial Court No. 2020-1859-DR

                        Before Stevens, C.J., Rambin and Morriss,* JJ.
                        Memorandum Opinion by Chief Justice Stevens

____________
*Josh R. Morriss, III, Chief Justice, Retired, Sitting by Assignment
                                        MEMORANDUM OPINION

            The Department of Family and Protective Services filed a petition to terminate Mother’s

and Father’s parental rights to their children, Amanda and Darren.1 Following a bench trial, the

trial court terminated Mother’s and Father’s parental rights after finding that (1) they knowingly

placed or allowed the children to remain in conditions or surroundings that endangered their

physical or emotional well-being, (2) they engaged in conduct or knowingly placed the children

with persons who engaged in conduct that endangered their physical or emotional well-being,

(3) they failed to comply with the provisions of a court order that specifically established the

actions necessary to obtain the children’s return, as described in Section 161.001(b)(1)(O) of the

Texas Family Code, (4) they used a controlled substance in a manner that endangered the health

or safety of the children, as described in Section 161.001(b)(1)(P), and (5) termination of their

parental rights was in the children’s best interests.                           See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN.

§ 161.001(b)(1)(D), (E), (O), (P), (b)(2) (Supp.).

            On appeal, Mother and Father argue that the evidence is legally and factually insufficient

to support the trial court’s findings that there were statutory grounds to terminate their parental

rights and that doing so was in the children’s best interests.2 We conclude that the evidence

presented at trial supported the trial court’s findings. As a result, we affirm the trial court’s

judgment terminating Mother’s and Father’s parental rights to Amanda and Darren.

1
    We use pseudonyms to protect the identity of the children. See TEX. R. APP. P. 9.8.

2
 Our original opinion in this matter dismissed Father’s appeal for want of jurisdiction. After denying Mother’s
petition in this matter, the Texas Supreme Court reversed our judgment, including our disposition on the merits of
Mother’s appeal. In re A.B., No. 22-0864, 2023 WL 5986567, at *2 (Tex. Sept. 15, 2023) (per curiam). As a result,
we address the merits of the appeal of both parents in this opinion.
                                                            2
I.     A Statutory Ground for Termination of Mother’s and Father’s Parental Rights is
       Supported by Legally and Factually Sufficient Evidence

       A.      Standard of Review

       “The natural right existing between parents and their children is of constitutional

dimensions.” In re E.J.Z., 547 S.W.3d 339, 343 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2018, no pet.) (quoting

Holick v. Smith, 685 S.W.2d 18, 20 (Tex. 1985)). “Indeed, parents have a fundamental right to

make decisions concerning ‘the care, custody, and control of their children.’” Id. (quoting Troxel

v. Granville, 530 U.S. 57, 65 (2000)). “Because the termination of parental rights implicates

fundamental interests, a higher standard of proof—clear and convincing evidence—is required at

trial.” Id. (quoting In re A.B., 437 S.W.3d 498, 502 (Tex. 2014)). This Court is required to

“engage in an exacting review of the entire record to determine if the evidence is . . . sufficient to

support the termination of parental rights.”      Id. (quoting In re A.B., 437 S.W.3d at 500).

“[I]nvoluntary termination statutes are strictly construed in favor of the parent.” Id. (quoting

In re S.K.A., 236 S.W.3d 875, 900 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2007, pet. denied) (quoting Holick,

685 S.W.2d at 20)).

       “In order to terminate parental rights, the trial court must find, by clear and convincing

evidence, that the parent has engaged in at least one statutory ground for termination and that

termination is in the child[ren]’s best interest.” Id. (citing TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 161.001;

In re E.N.C., 384 S.W.3d 796, 798 (Tex. 2012)). “‘Clear and convincing evidence’ is that

‘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.’”           Id. (quoting TEX. FAM. CODE

                                                  3
ANN. § 101.007) (citing In re J.O.A., 283 S.W.3d 336, 344 (Tex. 2009)). “This standard of proof

necessarily affects our review of the evidence.” Id.

       “In our legal sufficiency review, we consider all the evidence in the light most favorable

to the findings to determine whether the fact-finder reasonably could have formed a firm belief

or conviction that the grounds for termination were proven.” In re L.E.S., 471 S.W.3d 915, 920

(Tex. App.—Texarkana 2015, no pet.) (citing In re J.P.B., 180 S.W.3d 570, 573 (Tex. 2005)

(per curiam); In re J.L.B., 349 S.W.3d 836, 846 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2011, no pet.)). “We

assume the trial court, acting as fact-finder, resolved disputed facts in favor of the finding, if a

reasonable fact-finder could do so, and disregarded evidence that the fact-finder could have

reasonably disbelieved or the credibility of which reasonably could be doubted.” Id. (citing In re

J.P.B., 180 S.W.3d at 573).

       “In our review of factual sufficiency, we give due consideration to evidence the trial

court could have reasonably found to be clear and convincing.” Id. (citing In re H.R.M., 209

S.W.3d 105, 108 (Tex. 2006) (per curiam)). “We consider only that evidence the fact-finder

reasonably could have found to be clear and convincing and determine ‘whether the evidence is

such that a fact[-]finder could reasonably form a firm belief or conviction about the truth of the

. . . allegations.’” Id. (quoting In re H.R.M., 209 S.W.3d at 108); In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d 256,

264, 266 (Tex. 2002). “If, in light of the entire record, the disputed evidence that a reasonable

fact[-]finder could not have credited in favor of the finding is so significant that a fact[-]finder

could not reasonably have formed a firm belief or conviction, then the evidence is factually

insufficient.” Id. (quoting In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d at 266). “‘[I]n making this determination,’ we

                                                 4
must undertake ‘an exacting review of the entire record with a healthy regard for the

constitutional interests at stake.’” Id. (quoting In re A.B., 437 S.W.3d 498, 503 (Tex. 2014)).

“We also recognize that the trial court, as the fact-finder, is the sole arbiter of a witness’

demeanor and credibility, and it may believe all, part, or none of a witness’ testimony.” In re

A.M., No. 06-18-00012-CV, 2018 WL 3077784, at *3 (Tex. App.—Texarkana June 22, 2018,

pet. denied) (mem. op.) (citing In re H.R.M., 209 S.W.3d at 109).

        “Despite the profound constitutional interests at stake in a proceeding to terminate

parental rights, ‘the rights of natural parents are not absolute; protection of the child is

paramount.’” In re L.E.S., 471 S.W.3d at 920 (quoting In re A.V., 113 S.W.3d 355, 361 (Tex.

2003)). “A child’s emotional and physical interests must not be sacrificed merely to preserve

parental rights.” Id. (quoting In re C.A.J., 459 S.W.3d 175, 179 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2015,

no pet.)).

        B.     Sufficient Evidence Supports the Ground E Findings as to Mother and
               Father

        By their first issues, Mother and Father assert that the evidence is legally and factually

insufficient to support the trial court’s findings under grounds D, E, O, and P. “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[ren]’s best interest.” Id. at 923

(quoting In re O.R.F., 417 S.W.3d 24, 37 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2013, pet. denied) (quoting In

re A.V., 113 S.W.3d at 362)). Even so, when the trial court’s findings under grounds D or E are

challenged on appeal, due process demands that we review the evidence supporting the findings

under at least one of those grounds.      See In re N.G., 577 S.W.3d 230, 237 (Tex. 2019)
                                               5
(per curiam) (“We hold that due process and due course of law requirements mandate that an

appellate court detail its analysis for an appeal of termination of parental rights under [S]ection

161.001(b)(1)(D) or (E) of the Family Code.”). This is because termination of parental rights

under these grounds may implicate the parent’s parental rights to other children. Id. at 234; see

TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 161.001(b)(1)(M) (Supp.) (providing as a ground for termination of

parental rights that the parent “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)”).

         Ground E permits the termination of a parent’s parental rights “if the court finds by clear

and convincing evidence . . . that the parent has . . . engaged in conduct . . . which endangers the

physical or emotional well-being of the child[ren].” TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 161.001(b)(1)(E).

Endanger “means more than a threat of metaphysical injury or potential ill effects of a less-than-

ideal family environment.” In re E.N.C., 384 S.W.3d at 803. “‘Endanger’ means to expose to

loss or injury; to jeopardize.” Tex. Dep’t of Hum. Servs. v. Boyd, 727 S.W.2d 531, 533 (Tex.

1987); In re L.E.S., 471 S.W.3d at 923; In re N.S.G., 235 S.W.3d 358, 367 (Tex. App.—

Texarkana 2007, no pet.). “It is not necessary that the conduct be directed at the child[ren] or

that the child[ren] actually suffer injury.” In re L.E.S., 471 S.W.3d at 923. Under ground “(E), it

is sufficient that the child[ren]’s well-being is jeopardized or exposed to loss or injury.” Id.

(citing Boyd, 727 S.W.2d at 533; In re N.S.G., 235 S.W.3d at 367). “Further, termination under

[ground] (E) must be based on more than a single act or omission. Instead, a ‘voluntary,

deliberate, and conscious course of conduct by the parent is required.’” Id. (quoting Perez v.

                                                  6
Tex. Dep’t of Protective & Regul. Servs., 148 S.W.3d 427, 436 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2004, no

pet.)); see Boyd, 727 S.W.2d at 533; In re N.S.G., 235 S.W.3d at 366–67.

       Ground E “refers only to the parent’s conduct, as evidenced not only by the parent’s acts,

but also by the parent’s omissions or failures to act.” In re S.K., 198 S.W.3d 899, 902 (Tex.

App.—Dallas 2006, pet. denied); see In re N.S.G., 235 S.W.3d at 366–67. “The conduct to be

examined includes what the parent did both before and after the child was born.” Id. at 902; see

In re N.S.G., 235 S.W.3d at 367. The endangering conduct may also occur “either before or after

the child[ren]’s removal by the Department.”       In re Z.J., No. 02-19-00118-CV, 2019 WL

6205252, at *11 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Nov. 21, 2019, pet. denied) (mem. op.) (citing Walker

v. Tex. Dep’t of Fam. & Protective Servs., 312 S.W.3d 608, 616–17 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st

Dist.] 2009, pet. denied)).

       “‘Because it exposes the child to the possibility that the parent may be impaired or

imprisoned, illegal drug use may support termination under’ Ground E.” In re H.M.J., No. 06-

18-00009-CV, 2018 WL 3028980, at *5 (Tex. App.—Texarkana June 19, 2018, no pet.) (mem.

op.) (quoting In re A.L., No. 06-14-00050-CV, 2014 WL 5204888, at *7 (Tex. App.—Texarkana

Oct. 8, 2014, no pet.) (mem. op.)). “Drug use and its effect on a parent’s life and his [or her]

ability to parent may establish an endangering course of conduct.” Id. (quoting In re J.L.B., 349

S.W.3d 836, 848 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2011, no pet.)); see In re J.O.A., 283 S.W.3d 336, 345

n.4 (Tex. 2009); In re S.N., 272 S.W.3d 45, 52 (Tex. App.—Waco 2008, no pet.) (“Evidence of

illegal drug use or alcohol abuse by a parent is often cited as conduct which will support an

affirmative finding that the parent has engaged in a course of conduct which has the effect of

                                               7
endangering the child.”). In our analysis under ground E, we may also consider a parent’s failure

to complete relevant requirements of a family service plan. In re Z.J., 2019 WL 6205252, at

*11; In re U.H.R., No. 07-18-00318-CV, 2019 WL 81874, at *5 (Tex. App.—Amarillo Jan. 2,

2019, no pet.) (mem. op.).

            The evidence at trial established a continued pattern of domestic violence and drug use.

Kimberly Degrasse, an investigator with the Department, testified (1) that the Department

received an intake alleging that Mother and Father engaged in domestic violence, (2) that Father

had punched out a window causing shards of glass to land on a bed near Darren, and (3) that

Darren was left on the bed with the glass because Mother was not paying attention to him. The

intake further alleged that Mother was under the influence of a substance and that there was a

strong smell of marihuana emanating from Mother’s apartment.

            At trial, Mother admitted that Amanda and Darren had witnessed incidents of domestic

violence between her and Father.3 According to Degrasse, Mother also admitted that Father had

punched out the window when he was questioned about the intake. The children’s grandmother

testified that Mother and Father were constantly arguing and bickering. Their great-grandmother

testified that Mother and Father would “scream and holler and call each other names and say

degrading things to each other,” and she believed that Mother and Father should not be left alone

with the children until their behavior improved. Degrasse said that there had been additional

incidents of domestic violence since the initial intake and added that Mother had shown her

“numerous bruises, including bruises on her shoulder, arm, wrist, and hands.” The trial court

3
    Father did not testify.
                                                   8
noted that his docket sheet showed that Father “broke [M]other’s . . . car window two weeks”

before trial. Even so, Mother testified that she intended to continue living with Father and

wanted to remain married to him.

       Mother also admitted that she was a drug addict. The Department’s petition in this case

was filed in October 2020, after Darren tested positive for methamphetamine. Dawn Hahn, a

laboratory director at Quest Diagnostics, testified that Mother and Father both had tested positive

for amphetamines, methamphetamine, and marihuana metabolite in November 2020 and

February 2021. The trial court read from its docket sheet, which showed that Father “missed

three meetings” for drug treatment and “was positive for meth, cocaine, and weed in January.”

According to Hahn, Mother also tested positive for the same drugs in March, and Father tested

positive for amphetamines and methamphetamine in July. The court also noted that Father tested

positive for drugs on November 3.

       According to Shandra Newill, the Department’s conservatorship caseworker, Mother and

Father “tested positive after receiving extensive services.” At the December 29, 2021, trial,

Mother admitted that she relapsed after going to rehabilitation and that she used drugs in

September. Newill testified that Mother failed to complete a drug test on October 21, 2021, and

both Mother and Father failed to complete drug tests requested on November 23, December 1,

and December 9, 2021. Newill testified that Father was arrested in November and again in

December and that both Father and Mother, who were still married, were living together in

Father’s parents’ home. In the middle of Mother’s testimony, the trial court continued the trial

until February 21, 2022.      Newill requested that Mother and Father take a drug test on

                                                9
December 30, 2021, but testified that they failed to complete it. By that time, the record showed,

Mother was facing a pending drug charge.

       At the continued February 2022 trial, Mother admitted that she had been arrested for

fraudulent use or possession of identifying information. Mother also admitted that there had

been a fresh incident of domestic violence but stated that she had called the police and obtained a

no-contact order against Father, who was still incarcerated. Mother testified that she was injured

during the incident, had bled profusely, and was afraid of Father. Even so, Mother was still

living with Father’s parents and wearing her wedding ring, and she did not definitively answer

whether she would divorce Father but instead said, “[T]he answer that I’m going to give for that

is that at this point, this day in time, given for my kids, I’m going to have to let him go.”

       While Mother had made progress on many aspects of her family service plan, Newill

testified that Mother had not yet successfully completed the court-ordered drug treatment

program. Tina Huseth, a licensed chemical dependency counselor, testified that Mother was also

unable to complete “individual counseling due to the fact of the ongoing substance use and

exposure to domestic violence” and that she was unsuccessfully discharged from Huseth’s

services. Huseth said that Mother had reported that Father had taken all her money and clothes,

that she had no food, and that she was afraid that Father would kill her. Huseth was also

concerned that Mother and Father associated with unsavory individuals that presented a concern

for the safety of the children. According to Huseth, Mother was unable to demonstrate that she

could protect herself or the children, and Mother said that Father had even “showed up with a

gun at one point.”

                                                  10
        At trial, Mother admitted that she was unemployed, Father was incarcerated, and Newill

testified that neither parent could provide for the children financially or maintain stable housing.

Because of their ongoing, unaddressed problems, witnesses from the Department and Tara Peck,

the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) supervisor, testified that termination of Mother’s

and Father’s parental rights was in the children’s best interests.

        “A parent’s failure to remain drug-free while under the Department’s supervision will

support a finding of endangering conduct under [ground] (E) even if there is no direct evidence

that the parent’s drug use actually injured the child.” In re H.M.J., 2018 WL 3028980, at *5

(quoting In re J.A.W., No. 02-08-215-CV, 2009 WL 579287, at *4 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth

Mar. 5, 2009, no pet.) (per curiam) (mem. op.)). From the above-recited evidence, we conclude

that the record firmly established that Mother’s and Father’s continued drug use and pattern of

domestic violence, which the children had witnessed in the past, constituted a course of conduct

that endangered the children’s physical and emotional well-being. As a result, we find that

legally and factually sufficient evidence supported the trial court’s finding under ground E as to

both parents.

        Since there was sufficient evidence supporting the trial court’s finding under ground E,

we need not review its findings under grounds D, O, and P. See J.T. v. Tex. Dep’t of Fam. &

Protective Servs., No. 03-21-00070-CV, 2021 WL 2672055, at *9 (Tex. App.—Austin June 30,

2021, no pet.) (mem. op.); In re M.F., No. 14-19-00964-CV, 2020 WL 2832166, at *8 (Tex.

App.—Houston [14th Dist.] May 28, 2020, pet. denied) (mem. op.). We overrule Mother’s and

Father’s first points of error.

                                                 11
II.      Sufficient Evidence Supports the Trial Court’s Best-Interest Finding

         Next, Mother and Father argue that legally and factually sufficient evidence fails to

support the trial court’s finding that termination of their parental rights was in Amanda’s and

Darren’s best interests. Because we disagree, we overrule Mother’s and Father’s last points of

error.

         A.     Standard of Review

         “There is a strong presumption that keeping a child with a parent is in the child’s best

interest.” In re J.A.S., Jr., No. 13-12-00612-CV, 2013 WL 782692, at *7 (Tex. App.—Corpus

Christi Feb. 28, 2013, pet. denied) (mem. op.) (citing In re R.R., 209 S.W.3d 112, 116 (Tex.

2006) (per curiam)). “Termination ‘can never be justified without the most solid and substantial

reasons.’” In re N.L.D., 412 S.W.3d 810, 822 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2013, no pet.) (quoting

Wiley v. Spratlan, 543 S.W.2d 349, 352 (Tex. 1976)).

         In determining the best interests of the child, courts consider the following Holley factors:

         (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.

Id. at 818–19 (citing Holley v. Adams, 544 S.W.2d 367, 371–72 (Tex. 1976)); see In re E.N.C.,

384 S.W.3d 796, 807 (Tex. 2012); see also TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 263.307(b).

         The Department is not required to present proof of each Holley factor. In re M.C., 482

S.W.3d 675, 688 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2016, pet. denied) (citing In re C.H., 89 S.W.3d at 27).

                                                  12
“When considering the child[ren]’s best interest[s], we may take into account that a parent is

unable to provide adequate care for [her] child[ren], lacks parenting skills, or exercises poor

judgment.” Id. (citing In re C.A.J., 122 S.W.3d 888, 893 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2003, no

pet.)).    “Parental drug abuse, which reflects poor judgment, is also a factor that may be

considered when determining the child[ren]’s best interest[s].” Id. (citing In re M.R., 243

S.W.3d 807, 820 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2007, no pet.)). The parent’s “past performance as a

parent [is] relevant in determining the child[ren]’s best interest[s].” Id. (citing In re C.H., 89

S.W.3d at 28). Further, we may consider evidence used to support the grounds for termination of

parental rights in the best-interest analysis. In re C.H., 89 S.W.3d at 28.

          B.     Analysis of the Holley Factors

          As for the first Holley factor, Amanda was four years old and Darren was three years old

at trial, and there was no evidence of their express desires. Even so, as to Mother, Newill

testified that Mother regularly visited with the children, who seemed happy to see her. Mother

testified that she and the children loved each other, and the children’s grandmother testified that

Amanda and Darren had a strong bond with Mother, who was attentive and loving. Given this

evidence, “[w]e find that the first Holley factor weighs against termination” of Mother’s parental

rights. See In re Z.M., 456 S.W.3d 677, 689 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2015, no pet.) (citing In re

E.N.C., 384 S.W.3d at 808).

          In contrast, there was no testimony about Father’s bond with Amanda and Darren. Peck

testified that the foster family was calm, loving, nurturing, and happy. In part due to the stable

environment provided by the foster family, Peck testified that the children were bonded to them.

                                                  13
As a result, as to Father, we find that the first Holley factor weighs in favor of terminating

Father’s parental rights to the children. See In re K.O., 488 S.W.3d 829, 842 (Tex. App.—

Texarkana 2016, pet. denied).

        As for the second Holley factor, Mother admitted that Amanda and Darren had witnessed

domestic violence between Mother and Father, and Newill testified that the children did “exhibit

behaviors of children that [had] been exposed to domestic violence.” Both Newill and Megan

Bourgeois, the CASAs, testified that the children were suffering from “emotional problems” and

required counseling.4 That testimony established that the needs of Mother and Father’s young

children were great. We find that the second Holley factor weighs in favor of terminating both

Mother’s and Father’s parental rights.

        As to the third, fourth, and fifth Holley factors, “[e]vidence of past misconduct or neglect

can be used to measure a parent’s future conduct.” Id. (quoting In re I.R.K.-N., No. 10-13-

00455-CV, 2014 WL 2069281, at *7 (Tex. App.—Waco May 15, 2014, pet. denied) (mem. op.)).

Mother and Father continued to use drugs during the pendency of the case, and Bourgeois

testified that neither Mother nor Father had a stable income or home. See In re Z.M., 456 S.W.3d

at 689 (“A parent who lacks stability, income, and a home is unable to provide for a child’s

emotional and physical needs.”) (quoting In re J.T.G., No. 14-10-00972-CV, 2012 WL 171012,

at *17 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] Jan. 19, 2012, pet. denied) (mem. op.)). The children

were exposed to domestic violence in Mother’s and Father’s care, and Darren tested positive for

methamphetamine, either as a result of Mother’s or Father’s drug use or their failure to protect

4
 Kara Jenkins, the children’s foster mother, discussed the children’s counseling and said that they exhibited anger,
sensitivity, and irritability after visits with Mother.
                                                        14
the children from exposure to the other parent’s drug use. While the Department provided

Mother and Father with services and programs designed to assist them, the record showed that

they had limited to no impact on Mother’s or Father’s behavior. Huseth testified that Mother and

Father had completed anger management and surviving domestic violence counseling, but the

record showed that Mother and Father continued living together after the pendency of the case

despite repeated acts of domestic violence. Father had broken Mother’s car window two weeks

before trial and was incarcerated at the time of trial, but Mother testified that she might live with

Father’s parents, where she could potentially be exposed to further domestic violence. Degrasse

testified that Mother “did not seem to understand the dangers and the risk that she was putting

the children in.” Because Mother was unable to protect herself from Father, Huseth, Newill, and

Bourgeois all testified that Mother still presented a threat to the physical and emotional well-

being of the children and would be unable to provide them with a safe environment. Although

Mother and Father had completed parenting classes, Bourgeois was concerned with Mother’s

interactions with the children because Mother would “be doing tasks, like setting out food or . . .

pulling something up on her phone instead of actually getting down and engaging with her kids.”

Peck testified that Father brought a woman who was not vetted by the Department, and appeared

to be under the influence of drugs, to a scheduled visit with the children. Most importantly, even

after attending rehabilitation, Mother relapsed and was facing a pending drug charge, and

nothing showed that Father had or could remain drug free. We find that the third, fourth, and

fifth Holley factors weigh in favor of terminating Mother’s and Father’s parental rights.

                                                 15
       As for the sixth and seventh Holley factors, Bourgeois testified that the children were

placed with foster parents who provided a safe, stable, and loving environment for them.

Jenkins, the children’s foster mother, testified that Amanda and Darren had bonded with the

foster family, discussed their daily routine, and said that they were attending a daycare with an

emphasis on early education. Jenkins testified that they were “invested in the long term” and had

discussed the possibility of adopting the children. Mother either planned to remain in Father’s

parent’s home or would go to a women’s center. Because Mother was exposed to Father’s

domestic violence in his parent’s home, it was not considered to be a stable environment.

Although Mother said that she could obtain “six months of transitional housing,” Mother’s plan

for the children after that was unclear. Because Father did not testify, there was no evidence of

his plans for the children.5 We find that the sixth and seventh Holley factors weigh in favor of

termination of Mother’s and Father’s parental rights.

       As for the remaining eighth and ninth factors, Mother’s and Father’s acts and omissions

discussed above, including their continued drug use, indicated that the existing parent-child

relationship was not appropriate. Although Mother initially claimed that she failed to drug test

due to a lack of transportation, she later acknowledged that she could have taken the bus to the

drug testing facility. There was no excuse for either Mother’s or Father’s positive drug tests

during the pendency of the case.

       Considering the Holley factors, and in light of all of the evidence, the trial court could

have reasonably formed a firm belief or conviction that termination of Mother’s and Father’s

5
 The children’s grandmother testified that Father was welcome to live with her when he was released from
incarceration but only if the children were not placed with her.
                                                  16
parental rights was in Amanda’s and Darren’s best interests. Therefore, we conclude that the

evidence was sufficient to support the best-interest finding and overrule Mother’s and Father’s

last points of error.

III.    Conclusion

        We affirm the trial court’s judgment.

                                                Scott E. Stevens
                                                Chief Justice

Date Submitted:         October 31, 2023
Date Decided:           November 13, 2023

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