in the Interest of F.A.M., Jr, a Child ( 2021 )

Fourth Court of Appeals
San Antonio, Texas
MEMORANDUM OPINION
No. 04-20-00525-CV
IN THE INTEREST OF F.A.M., JR., a Child
From the 45th Judicial District Court, Bexar County, Texas
Trial Court No. 2019PA01301
Honorable Charles E. Montemayor, Judge Presiding
Opinion by: Beth Watkins, Justice
Sitting: Luz Elena D. Chapa, Justice
Beth Watkins, Justice
Liza A. Rodriguez, Justice
Delivered and Filed: June 9, 2021
AFFIRMED
G.R. appeals the trial court’s order terminating her parental rights to her child F.A.M. (born
2018). 1 On appeal, she argues the evidence is factually insufficient to support the trial court’s
findings under Texas Family Code section 161.001(b)(1) as well as its finding that termination is
in F.A.M.’s best interest. She also challenges the trial court’s conservatorship findings. We affirm
the trial court’s order.
BACKGROUND
On June 27, 2019, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services removed
F.A.M. from G.R.’s care after receiving a report that F.A.M. was present during an incident of
1
To protect the privacy of the minor children, we use initials to refer to the children and their biological parents. TEX.
FAM. CODE ANN. § 109.002(d); TEX. R. APP. P. 9.8(b)(2).
04-20-00525-CV
domestic violence between G.R. and her mother, that the family was homeless, and that drug use
occurred in F.A.M.’s presence. The Department obtained temporary managing conservatorship
over F.A.M., placed him with a foster family, and filed a petition to terminate G.R.’s parental
rights. The Department also created a family service plan requiring G.R. to, inter alia: adhere to
random drug screens; demonstrate her ability to live a drug-free lifestyle; complete drug treatment;
obtain safe and appropriate housing; and complete a psychological evaluation. G.R. signed the
service plan and the trial court ordered her to comply with it. The Department ultimately pursued
termination of G.R.’s parental rights.
Sixteen months after removal, the trial court held a two-day bench trial via Zoom at which
G.R. appeared. The trial court heard testimony from four witnesses: (1) the Department’s initial
caseworker, Sandra Jordan; (2) the Department’s final caseworker, Orlando Herrera; (3) F.A.M.’s
foster father; and (4) G.R. At the conclusion of trial, the court signed an order terminating G.R.’s
parental rights pursuant to Texas Family Code section 161.001(b)(1)(N), (O), and (P), and finding
that termination of G.R.’s parental rights was in the best interest of F.A.M.
ANALYSIS
On appeal, G.R. challenges the factual sufficiency of the evidence supporting the trial
court’s grounds findings as well as its best interest finding.
Standard of Review
The involuntary termination of a natural parent’s rights implicates fundamental
constitutional rights and “divests the parent and child of all legal rights, privileges, duties, and
powers normally existing between them, except for the child’s right to inherit from the parent.” In
re S.J.R.-Z., 537 S.W.3d 677, 683 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2017, pet. denied) (internal quotation
marks omitted). “As a result, appellate courts must strictly scrutinize involuntary termination
proceedings in favor of the parent.” Id. The Department had the burden to prove, by clear and
-2-
04-20-00525-CV
convincing evidence, both that a statutory ground existed to terminate G.R.’s parental rights and
that termination was in the best interest of the child. TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 161.206; In re A.V.,
113 S.W.3d 355, 362 (Tex. 2003). “‘Clear and convincing evidence’ means 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; In re S.J.R.-Z., 537
S.W.3d at 683.
When reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence supporting a termination order, we apply
well-established standards of review. In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d 256, 263 (Tex. 2002). In a factual
sufficiency review, we review and weigh all the evidence, including the evidence that is contrary
to the trial court’s findings. In re J.O.A., 283 S.W.3d 336, 345 (Tex. 2009). We consider whether
the disputed evidence is such that a reasonable factfinder could not have resolved it in favor of the
challenged finding. In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d at 266. The evidence is factually insufficient only 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.” Id.
The trial court, as factfinder, is the sole judge of the weight and credibility of the evidence.
In re A.F., No. 04-20-00216-CV, 2020 WL 6928390, at *2 (Tex. App.—San Antonio Nov. 25,
2020, no pet.) (mem. op.). We must defer to the factfinder’s resolution of disputed evidentiary
issues and cannot substitute our judgment for that of the factfinder. See, e.g., In re H.R.M., 209
S.W.3d 105, 108 (Tex. 2006) (per curiam).
Statutory Termination Grounds
Applicable Law
In her first argument on appeal, G.R. challenges the factual sufficiency of the evidence to
support the grounds for the termination order. Under section 161.001(b)(1)(P) of the Family Code,
-3-
04-20-00525-CV
a trial court may terminate the parent-child relationship if it finds by clear and convincing evidence
that the parent has “used a controlled substance. . . in a manner that endangered the health or safety
of the child, and: . . . (ii) after completion of a court-ordered substance abuse treatment program,
continued to abuse a controlled substance.” TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 161.001(b)(1)(P). When, as
here, the trial court terminates a parent’s rights on multiple predicate grounds, we may affirm on
any one ground. In re A.V., 113 S.W.3d at 362; In re D.J.H., 381 S.W.3d 606, 611–12 (Tex. App.—
San Antonio 2012, no pet.).
Application
On appeal, G.R. argues factually insufficient evidence supports the subsection (P) grounds.
The trial court heard evidence that F.A.M. came into the Department’s care after “law enforcement
was contacted due to a domestic violence dispute between [G.R.] and her mother” while F.A.M.
was present. At that time, G.R. tested positive for cocaine and methamphetamines, and admitted
“that her and her mother had used cocaine laced with ICE.” The trial court heard testimony that
G.R. successfully completed a court-ordered substance abuse treatment program on March 20,
2020. The trial court also heard testimony that G.R. “had negative UA’s up until August 14th,
when [she] had a UA which was positive for synthetic marijuana.” When asked about the August
14 drug test, G.R. testified that the drug testing center “had messed up.” She testified emphatically
that she had not used drugs “since December of last year.” However, when G.R. took a drug test
in September of 2020, that test came back positive for cocaine. G.R.’s caseworker also testified
that when she saw G.R. eight days after the August 14 drug test, “her appearance had changed
back to the way it was the first six months when she had been using.”
After the August 14 drug test, the Department referred G.R. to a drug relapse program.
Instead of re-enrolling in drug treatment, she “stated she was not doing anymore services, because
she had already completed services.” F.A.M.’s foster father also testified that three days before
-4-
04-20-00525-CV
trial, G.R. posted a brief video of her smoking a marijuana cigarette on Facebook, and she “posted
numerous photos on Facebook about using drugs and photos of drugs” in the weeks before trial.
G.R. admitted that in the video, she “was smoking, but it was not marijuana or synthetic. It was a
cigar.” She also explained, “I post stuff that I think is funny. It doesn’t mean it relates to me.”
Here, the trial court could have reasonably credited the Department’s evidence and
discredited G.R.’s evidence. See In re A.F., 2020 WL 6928390, at *2. After reviewing and
weighing all the evidence, including the evidence that is contrary to the trial court’s findings, we
conclude the evidence presented would have allowed the trial court to form a firm belief that G.R.
had used a controlled substance in a manner that endangered the health or safety of F.A.M. and
continued to abuse a controlled substance after completing a court-ordered substance abuse
treatment program. See In re R.S.-T., 522 S.W.3d 92, 98 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2017, no. pet.).
We conclude factually sufficient evidence supports the trial court’s finding that G.R. violated
section 161.001(b)(1)(P), and therefore overrule G.R.’s first argument on appeal.
Best Interest
Applicable Law
Next, G.R. challenges the factual sufficiency of the evidence supporting the trial court’s
finding that termination of her parental rights was in F.A.M.’s best interest. There is a strong
presumption that a child’s best interest is served by maintaining the relationship between a child
and the natural parent, and the Department has the burden to rebut that presumption by clear and
convincing evidence. See, e.g., id. at 97. To determine whether the Department satisfied this
burden, the Texas Legislature has provided several factors 2 for courts to consider regarding a
2
These factors include, inter alia: “(1) the child’s age and physical and mental vulnerabilities; (2) the frequency and
nature of out-of-home placements; (3) the magnitude, frequency, and circumstances of the harm to the child; (4)
whether the child has been the victim of repeated harm after the initial report and intervention by the department; (5)
whether the child is fearful of living in or returning to the child’s home; (6) the results of psychiatric, psychological,
-5-
04-20-00525-CV
parent’s willingness and ability to provide a child with a safe environment, and the Texas Supreme
Court has provided a similar list of factors 3 to determine a child’s best interest. TEX. FAM. CODE
ANN. § 263.307(b); Holley v. Adams, 544 S.W.2d 367, 371–72 (Tex. 1976).
A best interest finding, however, does not require proof of any particular factors. See In re
Z.F.S., No. 04-20-00489-CV, 2021 WL 603372, at *6 (Tex. App.—San Antonio Feb. 17, 2021,
no pet.) (mem. op.). Neither the statutory factors nor the Holley factors are exhaustive, and
“[e]vidence of a single factor may be sufficient for a factfinder to form a reasonable belief or
conviction that termination is in the child’s best interest.” See id. Finally, “[a] trier of fact may
measure a parent’s future conduct by his past conduct [in] determin[ing] whether termination of
parental rights is in the child’s best interest.” See id.Application
The trial court received evidence that in 2018, before this legal case began, the Department
investigated G.R. and F.A.M.’s father for domestic violence and found a reason to believe
neglectful supervision had occurred. G.R. began receiving family-based services from the
Department at that point. Then, in June of 2019, after receiving the report that F.A.M. was present
or developmental evaluations of the child, the child’s parents, other family members, or others who have access to the
child’s home; (7) whether there is a history of abusive or assaultive conduct by the child’s family or others who have
access to the child’s home; (8) whether there is a history of substance abuse by the child’s family or others who have
access to the child’s home; (9) whether the perpetrator of the harm to the child is identified; (10) the willingness and
ability of the child’s family to seek out, accept, and complete counseling services and to cooperate with and facilitate
an appropriate agency’s close supervision; (11) the willingness and ability of the child’s family to effect positive
environmental and personal changes within a reasonable period of time; (12) whether the child’s family demonstrates
adequate parenting skills [. . .]; and (13) whether an adequate social support system consisting of an extended family
and friends is available to the child.” TEX. FAM. CODE § 263.307(b).
3
Those factors include: (1) the desires of the child; (2) the emotional and physical needs of the child now and in the
future; (3) the emotional and physical danger to the child now and in the future; (4) the parental abilities of the
individuals seeking custody; (5) the programs available to assist those individuals to promote the best interest of the
child; (6) the plans for the child by these individuals or the agency seeking custody; (7) the stability of the home or
proposed placement; (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. Holley, 544 S.W.2d at 371–72.
-6-
04-20-00525-CV
during an incident of domestic violence between G.R. and her mother, the Department removed
F.A.M. from G.R.’s care and initiated this case.
During this legal proceeding, G.R. completed parenting and domestic violence classes, as
well as the psychological evaluation and much of the counseling the Department required. After
monitoring her progress, the court found that G.R. had demonstrated adequate compliance with
the service plan and returned F.A.M. to her care for “a monitored reunification.” The Department
obtained housing for G.R. and F.A.M. at Seton Home, a facility dedicated to helping young parents
become independent. While at Seton Home, F.A.M. had daycare and G.R. enrolled in GED classes.
She qualified to stay at Seton Home “‘til ’21. . . if she was going to school, she could have stayed
longer than that.” The Department believed G.R.’s conditions at Seton Home qualified as stable
housing. According to G.R., Seton Home was supposed to help her get her birth certificate, social
security, housing, and a job, but because of the Coronavirus pandemic, those services did not occur.
Concerned about how she was going to pay her bills, G.R. told Jordan she wanted to leave Seton
Home after approximately three months to move in with her boyfriend. Jordan counseled her about
the risks of “walking out on a very good program,” but G.R. reported she had a job waiting for her
and needed to leave to take it.
After an investigation, the Department approved G.R.’s move from Seton Home into her
boyfriend’s home. The Department arranged for daycare for F.A.M., but G.R. did not take him to
daycare. Jordan testified that “it turned out [G.R.] did not” have the job she left Seton Home to
take. After approximately two weeks, G.R. and F.A.M. left her boyfriend’s home at 1:30 in the
morning after an argument. She went to her mother’s home, but wanted to go back to Seton Home,
so the Department arranged for G.R. and F.A.M.’s return. Then, twenty-six hours after returning
to Seton Home, G.R. “broke her safety plan and left” Seton Home to return to her boyfriend’s
home. See TEX. FAM. CODE § 263.307(b)(10), (11) (court may consider parent’s willingness and
-7-
04-20-00525-CV
ability to “cooperate with and facilitate an appropriate agency’s close supervision” and to effect
positive changes within a reasonable time). Jordan testified unequivocally, “This is just not stable
for a child of two.” G.R. has since asked to return to Seton Home, but Seton Home reported that
G.R. would not be allowed back in the program. See Jordan v. Dossey, 325 S.W.3d 700, 731 (Tex.
App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2010, pet. denied) (finding instability of child’s home supported
termination finding).
G.R. is now living with her mother—from whom G.R. herself was removed as a child.
G.R.’s mother “has extensive criminal history, extensive CPS history.” See In re J.M., No. 09-09-
00042-CV, 2009 WL 5214921, at *4 (Tex. App.—Beaumont Dec. 31, 2009, no pet.) (mem. op.)
(noting Department’s concerns that mother allowed family members with criminal histories to stay
overnight in child’s home). G.R. admitted to having used drugs with her mother while receiving
family-based services from the Department. TEX. FAM. CODE § 263.307(b)(8) (court may consider
“history of substance abuse by the child’s family or others who have access to the child’s home”).
Despite having completed a domestic violence class and removing herself from arguments with
her boyfriend before they could turn violent, G.R. and her mother have gotten into physical fights.
Id. at § 263.307(b)(7) (court may consider “whether there is a history of abusive or assaultive
conduct by the child’s family or others who have access to the child’s home”); id. at
§ 263.307(b)(12)(E) (court may consider whether parent “demonstrates adequate parenting skills”
by, inter alia, protecting child “from repeated exposure to violence even though the violence may
not be directed at the child”). G.R. testified that she has lived with her mother for about one year
and was aware of her mother’s criminal history, but was not aware her mother had obtained two
new criminal charges—including a drug charge—one month before trial. She also testified that
she would agree to a condition of no contact between F.A.M. and his maternal grandmother if the
-8-
04-20-00525-CV
Department made that a condition of his return. G.R.’s plan was to stay in her mother’s home and
for her mother to move out.
G.R. testified she was working full-time at “a convenient store on Ruiz,” but could not
remember the store’s name and could not provide the name of her supervisor. She explained that
her supervisor was not willing to write a letter verifying that she works there but had agreed to
sign a letter provided by the Department to verify her employment. As of the date of trial, however,
G.R. had not provided proof of employment. See In re A.J.Z., No. 04-20-00218-CV, 2020 WL
5913845, at *5 (Tex. App.—San Antonio Oct. 7, 2020, no pet.) (mem. op.) (considering parent’s
failure to provide proof of employment). She did, however, testify that she was making $7.25 per
hour, and believed she was earning enough to provide for F.A.M. and pay monthly rent of $950,
including some utilities.
After F.A.M. was removed from G.R.’s care the first time, he was placed in two foster
homes before being placed with his third and final foster family. During the pendency of this case,
he was removed from the third foster family and returned to his mother’s care. When F.A.M. was
removed from G.R.’s care the second time and returned to the third foster family, his foster father
testified F.A.M. had grown educationally, intellectually, and physically while he was with his
mother. When returned to the foster father’s care, F.A.M. “would spout out a few words that I
would not repeat in front of the Court, but we were able to strip him from that vocabulary to
something more appropriate.” Since then, the foster father explained, F.A.M. has developed a good
bond and attachment with his foster parents—he has started calling them mommy and daddy on
occasion. The caseworker testified F.A.M. “is very bonded with [his foster parents], very
comfortable in their home, there is structure, there is routine, and he’s really happy there.” The
foster parents love F.A.M., and “he just absolutely loves being here.” See In re D.A.B., No. 04-19-
00629-CV, 2020 WL 1036433, at *7 (Tex. App.—San Antonio Mar. 4, 2020, no pet.) (mem. op.)
-9-
04-20-00525-CV
(noting when, as here, a child is too young to express his desires, the trial court may consider
whether the child has bonded with current caregivers). The foster parents plan to adopt F.A.M. if
his parents’ rights are terminated. See In re L.J.T., No. 04-17-00567-CV, 2018 WL 1072346, at *7
(Tex. App.—San Antonio Feb. 28, 2018, no pet.) (mem. op.) (evidence child is doing well in foster
care is relevant to best interest determination).
At trial, G.R. testified that F.A.M. should be placed with his biological family and asked
that he be placed with her sister, who was willing to take him. G.R. admitted, however, that her
sister had a criminal record. As a result, the Department did not believe G.R.’s sister was an
appropriate placement. And, as previously described, the caseworkers explained their belief that
G.R.’s mother was not an appropriate placement.
The caseworkers both testified that termination of G.R.’s parental rights was in F.A.M.’s
best interest. Jordan testified that G.R. has not demonstrated the ability to manage the care of her
child independently—she has always relied on an organization like Seton Home to provide her
with the stability that she needed to be an appropriate parent. TEX. FAM. CODE § 263.307(b)(12);
Jordan, 325 S.W.3d at 731. Jordan explained G.R.’s decision to “turn her back on” the support
provided by Seton Home, and to engage in a relationship with her mother indicated that G.R.
lacked the judgment necessary to protect F.A.M. Jordan also testified that G.R. was unable to
provide F.A.M. with a safe and stable home independent of Seton Home, and that “bouncing
around from place to place” had a negative impact on F.A.M. See In re K.J.G., No. 04-19-00102-
CV, 2019 WL 3937278, at *8–9 (Tex. App.—San Antonio Aug. 21, 2019, pet. denied) (mem. op.)
(evidence that mother’s conduct subjected children “to a life of uncertainty and instability”
supported finding that termination was in children’s best interest).
Finally, evidence that proves a statutory ground for termination is probative on the issue of
best interest. In re C.H., 89 S.W.3d 17, 28 (Tex. 2002). Moreover, a factfinder in a termination
- 10 -
04-20-00525-CV
case may infer “that a parent’s future conduct may well be measured by recent deliberate past
conduct as it relates to the same or a similar situation.” In re D.M., 452 S.W.3d 462, 472 (Tex.
App.—San Antonio 2014, no pet.). Here, as noted above, the trial court heard evidence that G.R.
used drugs after completing a court-ordered substance abuse treatment program. See In re C.H.,
89 S.W.3d at 28; see also TEX. FAM. CODE § 161.001(b)(1)(P).
Earlier in the case, it appears the Holley factors were divided and, as a result, the
Department attempted a monitored reunification. See Holley, 544 S.W.2d at 371–72. G.R.’s lack
of stable housing, however, became more of a problem as F.A.M. became a toddler. See id. The
evidence about G.R.’s recent drug use as well as her mother’s recent drug charge support the trial
court’s best interest finding. See, e.g., In re K.J.G., 2019 WL 3937278, at *8; see also TEX. FAM.
CODE § 263.307(b)(8) (considering history of substance abuse by those who have access to child’s
home). While F.A.M.’s two initial placements were not stable, his third and final one was, and that
foster family intends to adopt him. TEX. FAM. CODE § 263.307(b)(1), (2) (court may consider
child’s age and vulnerabilities and frequency and nature of out-of-home placements).
After reviewing all the evidence, we conclude a reasonable factfinder could have formed a
firm belief or conviction that termination of G.R.’s parental rights was in the best interest of F.A.M.
In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d at 266. We therefore hold factually sufficient evidence supports the trial
court’s best interest finding and overrule G.R.’s arguments to the contrary.
Conservatorship
We review the trial court’s appointment of a nonparent as sole managing conservator for
an abuse of discretion and will reverse that appointment only if we determine it is arbitrary or
unreasonable. In re J.A.J., 243 S.W.3d 611, 616 (Tex. 2007). Having determined the evidence is
factually sufficient to support the termination of G.R.’s parental rights, we further hold that the
trial court did not abuse its discretion in appointing the Department F.A.M.’s managing
- 11 -
04-20-00525-CV
conservator. See In re L.G.R., 498 S.W.3d 195, 207 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2016, pet.
denied). We overrule G.R.’s final issue on appeal.
CONCLUSION
We affirm the trial court’s order of termination.
Beth Watkins, Justice
- 12 -