Court Opinion

ID: 3071297
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-10-16 00:34:40.924075+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:08:11.547659
License: Public Domain

In The

                                 Court of Appeals
                     Ninth District of Texas at Beaumont
                            ____________________
                               NO. 09-14-00090-CV
                            ____________________

               IN THE INTEREST OF A.L., E.G., C.S., AND B.S.

_______________________________________________________              ______________

                    On Appeal from the 163rd District Court
                           Orange County, Texas
                         Trial Cause No. B-120756-D
________________________________________________________              _____________

                           MEMORANDUM OPINION

      In this parental-rights termination case, a jury found that Mother’s parent-

child relationships to her children, A.L., E.G., C.S., and B.S., should be

terminated.1 See Tex. Fam. Code Ann. §§ 161.001 (1)(D), (E), (O), (2), 161.003(a)

(West 2014). The trial court’s judgment terminates Mother’s parent-child

relationship to her four children.2

      1
       We identify the minors by their initials to protect their identities. See Tex.
R. App. P. 9.8. Other family members are identified, as necessary, based on their
respective relationships to the specific child who is being discussed.
      2
       The trial court also terminated the parental rights of the respective fathers of
E.G., C.S., and B.S.; however, their respective fathers did not appeal.
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      In her appeal, Mother challenges the legal and factual sufficiency of the

evidence supporting the trial court’s best interest findings on her three youngest

children, E.G., C.S., and B.S. Also, Mother complains that the trial court, over her

objection, admitted a report and the testimony of a psychologist. We affirm the

trial court’s judgment.

      In reviewing legal sufficiency complaints that relate to orders terminating a

parent’s rights, we review all the evidence admitted in the trial “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 its finding was true.” In re J.F.C., 96
S.W.3d 256, 266 (Tex. 2002). With respect to Mother’s factual sufficiency

argument, we “give due consideration to evidence that the factfinder could

reasonably have found to be clear and convincing.” Id. Under a factual sufficiency

standard, the findings the trial court made are sufficient unless, based on the entire

record, the disputed evidence that could not have been credited in favor of the

finding is so significant that the trial court could not have reasonably formed a firm

belief or conviction that the finding at issue was true. See id.

      Several factors apply to reviewing a court’s decision to terminate a parent’s

relationship with a child. “[T]here is a strong presumption that the best interest of a

child is served by keeping the child with a parent.” In re R.R., 209 S.W.3d 112,

116 (Tex. 2006). Nevertheless, a prompt and permanent placement of the child in a
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safe environment is also presumed to be in the child’s best interest. Tex. Fam.

Code Ann. § 263.307(a) (West 2014). In reviewing the trial court’s best interest

findings, we consider:

      (1) the child’s desires;

      (2) the child’s emotional and physical needs now and in the future;

      (3) any emotional and physical danger to the child now and in the future;

      (4) the parental abilities of the parent that is seeking custody;

      (5) the programs available to assist the parent who is seeking custody to
      promote the best interest of the child;

      (6) the plans for the child by the parent or the agency that seeks custody;

      (7) the stability of the home or the proposed placement;

      (8) the parent’s acts or omissions which may indicate that the existing
      parent-child relationship is improper; and,

      (9) any excuse for the parent’s acts or omissions.

Holley v. Adams, 544 S.W.2d 367, 371-72 (Tex. 1976); see Tex. Fam. Code Ann. §

263.307(b) (West 2014).

      Mother contends the evidence fails to sufficiently establish that she is

incapable of properly caring for the children or providing them a safe and

appropriate home environment. A.L., E.G., and C.S. were removed from the home

in August 2012. Mother tested positive for amphetamines and methamphetamines

on the date of an adversary hearing; over the following sixteen months, Mother
                                          3
was tested and failed seven drug tests. On twenty other occasions, Mother

presented a diluted sample or refused to submit to testing. Mother denied that she

took drugs, other than marijuana. To explain the positive tests, she claimed her

boyfriend slipped drugs into her food. Mother insisted that the test results in

evidence contain false results, although the test results were confirmed by hair

follicle testing. Additionally, Mother failed another drug test during her pregnancy

with B.S., who was born in August 2013. A few days after B.S. was born, B.S. was

removed from Mother’s care.

      During the termination hearing, Mother’s thirteen-year-old daughter, A.L.,

gave testimony that sheds insight into the family environment. A.L. explained that

as a ten-year-old, she was usually responsible for feeding herself and her younger

sister because Mother slept most of the day. She also explained that she went

hungry at times when they did not have sufficient food for everyone. A.L.

explained that if she disturbed her mother while she slept, Mother hit and punched

her. According to A.L., Mother and her boyfriends fought, and, at times, they used

physical force against her.

      There was also other testimony reflecting that the children faced potential

dangers while living in the environment that Mother provided. After taking

temporary custody of the children, the Department placed E.G. and C.S. with

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Grandmother.3 Before E.G. and C.S. were removed, Mother, A.L., and E.G. lived

with Grandmother while Mother was pregnant. Grandmother had these children

because Mother’s boyfriend had beaten her.

      Other evidence admitted during the termination hearing shows that Mother

exhibited erratic behavior and acted in a hostile manner when interacting with the

Department’s employees. During the hearing, Mother admitted that she had made

threats to Department employees and to Grandmother. Mother also admitted that

she was experiencing mental health issues, but she attributed her problems to being

separated from her children. Mother testified that she had used profanity around

her children. The testimony indicates that although Mother was referred to

individual and anger management counseling through Family Services, she

attended these sessions sporadically. However, there is evidence in the record

showing that Mother completed a parenting class.

      Additional evidence supporting the trial court’s judgment consists of the

testimony of a psychologist who examined Mother and performed a psychological

evaluation on her. The psychologist characterized Mother as mentally ill and

potentially dangerous; he stated that Mother was suffering from a “major

depressive disorder, recurrent, severe with psychotic features.” Although the

      3
        Grandmother is married to A.L.’s grandfather; she explained at the trial that
she is not biologically related to any of Mother’s children.
                                         5
psychologist stated that Mother had performed in the average range on intelligence

and achievement tests, he also noted that Mother appeared to be very distraught

and was unable to control herself emotionally. The psychologist expressed

significant concern about the frequency of Mother’s disputes with her boyfriends

as well as concern regarding her disputes with Department employees. The

psychologist expressed his opinion that Mother’s children could be in danger

because outbursts of anger “do not usually stop with one or two people.”

According to the psychologist, the violent nature of Mother’s relationships

potentially threatens the children.

      The trial court’s judgment finds additional support in testimony from a

licensed professional counselor employed by Family Services of Southeast Texas.

The counselor testified that she provided Mother with individual counseling, group

anger management, and parenting classes. Mother saw the counselor in November

2012 when she had a psychosocial assessment, but then Mother failed to return

until April 2013. According to the counselor, Mother was often confused, did not

have a good grip on reality, believed the Department tampered with her drug tests,

and said that her own mother’s arrest for distributing methamphetamines was part

of a plot by the Department to take her children away from her. The counselor

explained that Mother told her that upon the Department’s removal of B.S., Mother

bit the case manager. The counselor testified that Mother admitted to her that she
                                        6
had threatened Department employees with physical violence. The counselor

indicated that Mother felt that her father, who had been released from prison, could

assist her in carrying out her threats. The counselor expressed her opinion that

Mother failed to take responsibility for her own actions, including her drug use.

The record indicates that Mother missed bi-weekly counseling sessions with her

counselor for six weeks at a time. In July 2013, Mother told the counselor that “she

had completed her anger management, and she was done.” The counselor’s

testimony as well as additional evidence shows that Mother self-terminated her

anger management and domestic abuse counseling.

      Mother also testified during the termination hearing. According to Mother,

she planned to live with the children at her mother’s home. Mother also addressed

her prospects for earning a living. Although Mother stated that she had tried to find

a job at a neighboring restaurant, Mother never presented any other evidence that

she had any realistic prospect of employment. With respect to Mother’s claim that

she completed her classes, Mother did not produce a completion certificate for

these courses.

      With respect to Mother’s plans, testimony reflects that a house that Mother

indicated was appropriate for her children was deemed inappropriate by the

Department because the house was used as a location for the distribution of

methamphetamine. After the children were removed, this house was inspected by a
                                         7
Department caseworker; the caseworker found that the windows to the home were

completely blacked out, the coffee table was littered with cigarette butts and

prescription bottles, dirty dishes filled the kitchen sink, and the rooms were

cluttered and unsanitary. The caseworker attempted to visit the home on several

other occasions; due to death threats that Mother made against Department

employees, the caseworker did not go visit the home again. The caseworker

concluded that, based upon Mother’s lack of cooperation with the family service

plan and her failure to maintain housing and an income, Mother would not be able

to raise four children in a safe and appropriate environment.

      Other evidence was introduced showing the Department’s plan for the

children. The evidence shows that the Department wanted Grandmother and her

husband to adopt E.G., C.S., and B.S. Grandmother expressed a desire to adopt the

children. Also, according to Grandmother, E.G. wants to live with her and is

terrified of Mother.

      When viewed in the light most favorable to the verdict, the jury’s decision

terminating Mother’s rights is a decision supported by clear and convincing

evidence. See J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d at 266. There was testimony that E.G. did not

want to live with Mother, and the evidence showed that C.S. and B.S. had been

placed with Grandmother in foster care for most of their lives. A.L.’s testimony

shows that Mother failed to adequately care for her, E.G., and C.S. As the
                                         8
factfinder, the jury could have reasonably chosen to reject Mother’s claim that she

never used methamphetamines as a claim that was not credible. The jury was also

entitled to accept the psychologist’s opinion that Mother is mentally ill and could

conclude that Mother presents a danger to her children. From the evidence, the jury

could reasonably conclude that Mother was unable to provide a safe and stable

home for her children, and decide that the placements of the children by the

Department provided the children with more safety and security. The evidence

before the jury, in our opinion, was sufficient to allow the jury to form a firm belief

or conviction that the best interest of each child was served by a decision to

terminate Mother’s parental rights.

      Although some of the evidence in the record does not support the jury’s

verdict, it was all evidence the jury could have reasonably given little weight or

determined that it was not credible. See id. The jury could have chosen to reject

Mother’s explanations for her drug use, her claim that she could provide stable

housing, and her claim that she would obtain a job providing an income sufficient

to support her children. Because the evidence that weighs against the jury’s

findings is not so significant that the jury could not have reasonably formed a firm

belief or conviction that termination was in the best interest of each child, the

evidence, when viewed as a whole, provides legally and factually sufficient

support for the jury’s verdict. We overrule issue one.
                                          9
      In her second issue, Mother contends that the trial court erred by admitting

the testimony and report of the psychologist who examined her. According to

Mother, the testimony by the psychologist and the admission of the report violate

Rule 510 of the Texas Rules of Evidence. Rule 510 provides that communications

between a patient and a professional is confidential and shall not be disclosed in a

civil case. See Tex. R. Evid. 510(b)(1).

      In this case, the communications at issue occurred in a court-ordered

evaluation that related to Mother’s mental or emotional condition. The evidence

shows that Mother was informed that her communications with the psychologist

would not be privileged. See Tex. R. Evid. 510(d)(4). And, the evaluation of the

psychologist was relevant; it shows how Mother’s mental or emotional condition

impacts her abilities to parent, and it shows how Mother’s psychological condition

affected and would continue to affect the safety and welfare of the children. See

R.K. v. Ramirez, 887 S.W.2d 836, 843 (Tex. 1994) (the patient-litigant exception

applies when the records are relevant to the condition at issue and the patient’s

mental or emotional condition carries legal significance to a party’s claim or

defense); In re G.B., No. 07-01-0210-CV, 2003 WL 22327191, at **6-7 (Tex.

App.—Amarillo Oct. 10, 2003, no pet.) (mem. op.); see also Tex. R. Evid.

510(d)(5). Because Mother’s communications with the court-ordered psychologist

                                           10
were not privileged, we overrule issue two. Having overruled both of Mother’s

issues, we affirm the trial court’s judgment.

      AFFIRMED.

                                               ________________________________
                                                         HOLLIS HORTON
                                                             Justice

Submitted on May 12, 2014
Opinion Delivered June 26, 2014

Before Kreger, Horton, and Johnson, JJ.

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