in the Interest of C.A.C., S.Y.C., K.G.C. and M.E.C., Children ( 2012 )

Affirmed and Memorandum Opinion filed September 27, 2012.
In The
Fourteenth Court of Appeals
NO. 14-12-00396-CV
IN THE INTEREST OF C.A.C., S.Y.C., K.G.C., AND M.E.C., CHILDREN
On Appeal from the 313th District Court
Harris County, Texas
Trial Court Cause No. 2009-05044J
MEMORANDUM OPINION
The trial court signed a judgment on April 10, 2012, terminating Father’s and
Mother’s parental rights to their four children. Father appeals the termination of his
parental rights. We affirm.
I. PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
The procedural background of this case spans over three years. First, on June 17,
2009, the Department received a referral alleging neglectful supervision and physical
abuse of the children. At that time, the family was at a homeless shelter. On July 1,
2009, the Department filed an original petition for protection of the children, for
conservatorship, and for termination in suit affecting the parent-child relationship. The
trial court signed temporary orders naming the Department sole managing conservator of
the children that same day. On July 14, 2009, after a full adversary hearing, the trial
court signed temporary orders appointing the Department temporary managing
conservator. On July 27, 2009, the children were placed in the home of Father’s aunt.
On August 18, 2009, the Department filed its service plans for Mother and Father with
the trial court.
Approximately one year later, on June 22, 2010, the trial court signed a final
decree in suit affecting the parent-child relationship. The trial court found that the
appointment of Mother and Father as managing conservators would not be in the best
interest of the children and, instead, appointed the Department sole managing conservator
of the children. The trial court appointed Mother possessory conservator of the children,
but did not appoint Father possessory conservator because it was not in the best interest
of the children, and denied him possession of, or access to, the children. The children
remained with Father’s aunt.
A year later, in July 2011, the children were removed from the aunt’s home
because of domestic abuse between the aunt and the uncle, and were placed in a
therapeutic foster home. On September 13, 2011, the Department filed an original
motion to modify conservatorship and for termination of the parent-child relationship,
seeking to (1) modify the June 22, 2010 final decree because circumstances had
materially and substantially changed since the rendition of the prior final decree; and (2)
to terminate Mother’s and Father’s parental rights. On March 22 and 26, 2012, the trial
court held a bench trial on the Department’s motion to modify. On April 10, 2012, the
trial court signed an order modifying the prior order and entered a decree for termination.
The trial court found that ―[t]he circumstances of the Children or the Sole Managing
2
Conservator, Possessory Conservator, or other party affected by the prior order . . . dated
June 22, 2010 have materially and substantially changed since the rendition of‖ that
order. The trial court also found by clear and convincing evidence that termination of the
parent-child relationship between the children and both Father and Mother would be in
the children’s best interest. The trial court further found that clear and convincing
evidence supported termination of both Mother’s and Father’s parental rights under
Sections 161.001(1)(E) and (P) of the Texas Family Code.1
II. FACTUAL BACKGROUND
The four children involved in this parental rights termination case are a girl,
C.A.C., who is the oldest, and three boys in descending order by age, S.Y.C., K.G.C., and
M.E.C. When the children came into the care of the Department in July 2009, C.A.C.
was 6 years old; S.Y.C. was almost 5; K.G.C. was 3½; and M.E.C. was a little over 2. At
the time of trial in March 2012, C.A.C. was almost 9 years old; S.Y.C. was 7½; K.G.C.
was a little over 6; and M.E.C. was 5.
A. Evidence of Domestic Violence
The undisputed evidence at trial showed domestic violence between Father and
Mother, though Father disputed the timing and quantity of the abuse. Specifically, Father
testified that he takes responsibility for the domestic violence he committed between
2002 and 2005, but he claimed there was no domestic violence after K.G.C. was born in
2005. Father further claimed that he was not violent with Mother, or had an argument
with Mother, in front of the children.
In contrast, Mother stated that Father beat her while she was pregnant with every
child. According to Mother, there was domestic violence after K.G.C. was born in 2005.
Mother testified that Father broke her nose, and had beaten her to the extent that she
required hospital care.
1
See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 161.001(1)(E), (P) (West Supp. 2012).
3
Father denied that he broke Mother’s nose, and claimed Mother had ―never been
in the hospital for any injury [he] gave her.‖ Father claimed that he and Mother had one
fight when she was pregnant with K.G.C., but he never beat her when she was pregnant.
However, Father admitted that he hit Mother one time when she was pregnant. Father
did not recall an occasion when the therapist threw him out of therapy because he became
aggressive and violent during a session.
B. Evidence of Mother’s and Father’s Drug Use/Abuse
With respect to his drug use, Father testified that he ―probably smoked a joint
every day,‖ but he ―wasn’t a heavy drug user and [he] never did it around [his] kids.‖
Father did not consider himself to be ―a chronic marijuana user.‖
With respect to Mother, the evidence showed that she had used cocaine and
amphetamines and that she had been a polysubstance abuser for thirteen years, since she
was sixteen. Mother claimed that she never used drugs around her children, but admitted
that she left the children in Father’s care while she used drugs. At the time of trial,
Mother was in a residential drug treatment program at the Cenikor treatment center. The
children could not live with Mother at Cenikor. This was Mother’s second time for
treatment at Cenikor, and her fourth time in a drug treatment program. The Cenikor
program lasts about eighteen to twenty-four months. However, Mother only stayed at
Cenikor about six months the first time she was there. Mother was employed and had an
apartment, but she had a relapse with drugs in 2011, testing positive for drugs in June,
September, and November 2011. When Mother returned to Cenikor in October 2011, she
was not employed and did not have an apartment.
Mother believed that she was recovering and would be able to care for her
children. Judith Romo, Mother’s counselor at Cenikor, stated that although Mother
wants to care for her children, she is not ready for that yet, but Romo believed Mother
could be a successful parent after completing the Cenikor program. At the time of trial,
4
Mother still had about a year and a half until she completed the Cenikor program, at
which time Mother would be on her own in the community.
C. Evidence of Father’s Incarceration
In August, 2010, Father pleaded guilty to an April 14, 2010 offense of burglary of
a habitation with intent to commit theft. On August 11, 2010, the court entered an order
of deferred adjudication, placing Father on community supervision for that offense. On
January 24, 2011, the State filed a motion to adjudicate Father’s guilt for violating the
terms and conditions of his community supervision by, among other things, testing
positive for marijuana on November 18, 2010, and December 15, 2010, and failing to
find suitable employment. On February 2, 2011, the trial court entered a judgment
adjudicating Father’s guilt and sentenced him to two years in prison. Father testified that
his projected release date is September 29, 2012.
Although Father admitted that he violated the conditions of his community
supervision, he claimed that he is incarcerated for a burglary he did not commit. Father
stated that he had never been in jail for more than a week, and that he pleaded guilty to
burglary because he wanted ―to be released.‖ Father testified that when he pleaded guilty
to burglary of a habitation, he lied under oath.
D. Evidence of the Children’s Placement Since 2009
The evidence showed that the children’s original placement with their Father’s
aunt was harmful to them because of the domestic violence they witnessed between the
aunt and uncle and the abusive and neglectful treatment they received while living in the
aunt’s home. The children disclosed that there was ―a lot of yelling and screaming‖ when
the uncle lived with the aunt. The children ―described the Uncle cursing at the Aunt.‖
C.A.C. disclosed an incident when the police came to the aunt’s home after the uncle had
broken a window while they were fighting.
5
The children further described their treatment while living in the aunt’s home.
The children disclosed that they had to stay upstairs for long periods of time, and they
were not permitted to go downstairs to use the bathroom. ―The boys began to urinate in a
green play dough bucket because they would get in trouble if they left the room and went
downstairs.‖ The children disclosed that the aunt had spanked all of them, and M.E.C.
reported that the aunt had hit him with a belt, leaving marks on him.
Sarah Allen, the Department caseworker since June 2010, testified that the
children were placed in a therapeutic foster home in July 2011 because of the domestic
violence they witnessed between Mother and Father, the domestic violence they
witnessed between their aunt and uncle, and the abuse and neglect they suffered while
living in the aunt’s home.
The evidence showed that S.Y.C., the second oldest child and the oldest boy,
exhibited aggressive behavior. Amparo Makridis, the children’s therapist since August
2011, testified that S.Y.C. was defiant; was not able to control his emotions; was
disrespectful of authority figures at home and school; and had ―temper outbursts that
last[ed] for more than an hour.‖ S.Y.C. also hit himself when he was angry, and there
were occasions when Makridis and the foster mother had to restrain him because they
were concerned he would hurt himself or someone else. Allen testified about an incident
where S.Y.C. kicked a pregnant teacher at the daycare. S.Y.C. also flipped over desks
when he did not like being told what to do.
Allen testified that S.Y.C. was more aggressive than he was before he was placed
in the current foster home. Allen explained that as the children become older, they
understand more of what is going on and become angrier about their situation. Allen
stated that witnessing domestic violence creates a tendency in children to exhibit more
violence. S.Y.C. witnessed a significant amount of domestic violence between his
parents and between the aunt and uncle, which Allen believed was the cause of S.Y.C.’s
aggressive behavior. However, S.Y.C. had shown improvement by the time of trial.
6
S.Y.C. was learning that his aggressive behavior was not appropriate and he showed
remorse when he had done something wrong.
The evidence showed that K.G.C., the third oldest child and second oldest boy,
also exhibited aggressive behavior. Initially, Allen did not see aggressive behavior in
K.G.C. in June 2010. However, Allen stated that K.G.C. had become ―a little more
aggressive in his actions,‖ and was on medications for his aggressiveness. According to
Allen, K.G.C. sometimes understood that what he was doing was wrong, while at other
times he did not. Makridis stated that K.G.C. was learning to express his emotions.
Makridis stated that M.E.C., the youngest child, had been least affected by his
situation. Allen also testified that M.E.C. had not shown signs of aggressive behavior.
Allen stated that M.E.C. had a ―speech delay,‖ such that he could hardly be understood.
With speech therapy, M.E.C.’s speech had improved.
Allen described C.A.C. in 2010 as a ―sweet bubbly, smiling‖ child, who was eager
to please. Makridis similarly described C.A.C. as a child who wanted to please everyone,
but was afraid of expressing her emotions and had difficulty remembering information.
Allen stated that C.A.C. ―[was] starting to show signs of anxiety‖ because of being in
placement away from Mother. C.A.C. disclosed that she cried at night for Mother. Allen
testified that it was reasonable for C.A.C. to miss her mother the most because she is the
only girl. Also, C.A.C., who was five years old when she came into care, had the
capacity to be attached to her mother. Allen also stated that C.A.C. had taken on the role
of ―little mama‖ with her younger brothers.
Makridis testified that all four children were making progress because they were in
a good home with foster parents who were ―very nurturing,‖ and the children were happy
in the foster home. Allen similarly testified that the children ―had some major issues,‖
but had improved due to the stability of the foster home. Allen also stated that the
children loved the current foster home and were bonding with the foster parents.
7
Allen testified that it was in the children’s best interest to terminate the parent-
child relationship with both Mother and Father because the children had been in ―limbo‖
and had lacked structure and stability. Allen stated that the children had structure and
stability in the foster home. Allen explained that not terminating Father’s and Mother’s
parental rights would be ―detrimental‖ to the children because they were ―building up
more anxiety,‖ and the ―anxiety [was] just building up into aggressive behaviors‖ in the
boys because they did not have any finality concerning their situation.
Lisa McCartney, who was retired after working for the Department for thirty years
and was asked by the trial court to look at the case with the guardian ad litem, also
explained that it was in the children’s best interest to terminate the parental rights because
they needed stability and permanency. McCartney warned that without a ―permanent
solution . . . these kids will be in the system until they are 18 years old.‖ McCartney also
explained that ―they are identified in school as foster kids and that is anything but
normal.‖ The children receive clothing vouchers and have caseworkers visiting them.
McCartney stated that ―they just want to be like everyone else.‖ Being in foster care
impacts the children more as they become older. Allen testified that the Department had
found an adoptive placement for C.A.C. with an extended family member of the foster
parents. Allen also stated that the foster parents were thinking about adopting the three
boys, but had not committed to adoption yet.
Allen further testified that the parents’ rights should be terminated because of
concerns about domestic violence between Father and Mother. Because Father was the
primary perpetrator of the domestic violence in the home, Allen did not believe that ―any
placement that included [Father] would ever be a safe placement for the children‖ or that
―it would ever be in their best interest to have continued contact with [Father].‖ Allen
testified that the domestic violence made S.Y.C. more aggressive towards others. Allen
also stated that the children had not asked for Father. McCartney similarly testified that
the children did not ―talk about [Father], except about him hitting their mother.‖
8
Allen explained that, at the original trial in this case in June 2010, the trial court
decided to give Mother another chance; however, Mother had tested positive for drugs
three times since June 2010. Allen believed that it was in the best interest of the children
to have their safety and permanency guaranteed by termination of parental rights because
Mother had taken a long time to try to get herself together.
Allen testified that the Department ―had a chance‖ to seek termination of Father’s
parental rights in June 2010. It was hoped that Father ―would get his act together,‖ but
the Department was ―looking at reunifying, if ever, in the future with [Mother].‖ Allen
explained that the Department might choose not to seek termination of parental rights of a
parent who could provide financial support even though that parent could not have any
contact with the children, which was a consideration of the Department in not terminating
Father’s parental rights at that time.
III. ANALYSIS
In two issues on appeal, Father contends that (1) the trial court abused its
discretion in finding a material and substantial change in circumstances; and (2) the
evidence is legally and factually insufficient to support a finding that termination is in the
children’s best interest.
A. Standard of Review
Involuntary termination of parental rights implicates fundamental constitutional
rights. In re G.M., 596 S.W.2d 846, 846 (Tex. 1980). The termination of the natural
right between parents and children ―is complete, final and irrevocable.‖ Id. Therefore,
termination proceedings are strictly scrutinized. Id.
Parental rights can be terminated only upon proof by clear and convincing
evidence that (1) the parent has committed an act prohibited by Section 161.001(1) of the
Family Code; and (2) termination is in the best interest of the child. TEX. FAM. CODE
ANN. § 161.001(1), (2); In re J.O.A., 283 S.W.3d 336, 344 (Tex. 2009). Clear and
9
convincing evidence is ―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 2008).
In reviewing the legal sufficiency of the evidence in a parental termination case,
we must consider all the evidence in the light most favorable to the finding to determine
whether a reasonable fact finder could have formed a firm belief or conviction that its
finding was true. In re J.O.A., 283 S.W.3d at 344; In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d 256, 266 (Tex.
2002). We assume that the fact finder resolved disputed facts in favor of its finding if a
reasonable fact finder could do so, and we disregard all evidence that a reasonable fact
finder could have disbelieved. In re J.O.A., 283 S.W.3d at 244; In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d
at 266.
In reviewing termination findings for factual sufficiency of the evidence, we
consider and weigh all of the evidence. In re J.O.A., 283 S.W.3d at 345; In re J.F.C., 96
S.W.3d at 266. But we give due deference to the fact finder’s resolution of factual
questions. In re C.H., 89 S.W.3d 17, 27 (Tex. 2002). We then determine whether the
evidence is such that a fact finder could reasonably form a firm belief or conviction about
the truth of the allegations against the parent. In re J.O.A., 283 S.W.3d at 345; In re
J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d at 266.
B. Material and Substantial Change
In his first issue, Father asserts that the trial court abused its discretion in finding a
material and substantial change in circumstances under Section 156.101 of the Texas
Family Code. See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 156.101 (West Supp. 2012).
In its original motion to modify conservatorship and for termination of the parent-
child relationship, the Department alleged that by ―a preponderance of evidence that . . .
the circumstances of the children, a conservator, or other party affected by the order have
10
materially and substantially changed since the date of the rendition of the order.‖2 After
the Department rested at trial, Father moved for a directed verdict, arguing that there was
no ―material and substantial change of circumstances within the meaning of Texas
Family Code 156.101(a)(1).‖ The trial court denied Father’s motion.
The April 10, 2012 order modifying a prior order states: ―The circumstances of the
Children or Sole Managing Conservator, Possessory Conservator, or other party affected
by the prior order . . . have materially and substantially changed since the rendition of the
order to be modified [and] that the appointment of [the Department] as Sole Managing
Conservator would be a positive improvement for the children.‖
On appeal, Father again relies on section 156.101, entitled ―Grounds for
Modification of Order Establishing Conservatorship or Possession and Access.‖ Section
156.101(a)(1) provides:
(a) The court may modify an order that provides for the appointment of a
conservator of a child, that provides the terms and conditions of
conservatorship, or that provides for the possession of or access to a child if
modification would be in the best interest of the child and:
(1) the circumstances of the child, a conservator, or other party affected by
the order have materially and substantially changed since the earlier of:
(A) the date of the rendition of the order; or
(B) the date of the signing of a mediated or collaborative law settlement
agreement on which the order is based[.]
TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 156.101(a)(1).
The Department responds that section 156.101 does not apply to a suit such as
this, which seeks the termination of parental rights under Chapter 161, and does not seek
to modify the conservatorship under Chapter 156. The Department relies on In re C.T.,
in which the court addressed the appellant’s argument that evidence of abuse that
2
Emphasis added.
11
occurred prior to the rendition of the last order affecting the parent-child relationship was
not admissible in a Chapter 156 modification proceeding. See In re C.T., No. 12-09-
00401-CV, 2010 WL 4880631, at *4 (Tex. App.—Tyler Nov. 30, 2010, no pet.) (mem.
op.). The Tyler Court of Appeals observed the distinction between section 156.101
modification proceedings and section 161.001 termination proceedings, which involve
different issues and have different standards of proof. Id.
A section 156.101 modification proceeding determines whether the circumstances
of the child or a conservator have materially and substantially changed since the date of
the previous court order or mediated settlement agreement, and whether the modification
is in the best interest of the child. Id. A trial court’s modification of conservatorship is
reviewed for an abuse of discretion. Id.3 A section 161.001 termination proceeding
determines whether the parent engaged in any one of the acts or omissions itemized in the
first subsection of the statute, and whether termination is in best interest of the child. Id.
Both elements for termination must be established by clear and convincing evidence. Id.4
Unlike the consequences of modification, the consequences of termination are
permanent. Id. at *5. The court held that, because the case was a termination
proceeding, not a modification proceeding, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in
overruling the appellant’s objections to evidence based on information, conduct, or acts
that occurred before the prior order. Id.
3
Section 105.005 of the Family Code states: ―Except as otherwise provided by this title, the
court’s findings shall be based on a preponderance of the evidence.‖ T EX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 105.005
(West 2008).
4
The Texas Supreme Court has similarly observed the different standards of proof in the
appointment of conservators and in termination of parental rights. See In re J.A.J., 243 S.W.3d 611, 616
(Tex. 2007). ―[T]he quantum of proof required to support a termination decision differs from the level
necessary to support a conservatorship appointment.‖ Id. Termination decisions must be supported by
clear and convincing evidence because of due process concerns. Id. A finding that an appointment of a
parent as managing conservator would significantly impair the child’s physical health or emotional
development is governed by the preponderance-of-the-evidence standard. Id. These differing standards
of proof affect the method of appellate review, which is more stringent for termination decisions than for
conservatorship decisions. Id.
12
The Department, however, points out that section 161.004 includes the
requirement that there be a material and substantial change in the circumstances of the
children or one of the parties since the rendition of the prior order that denied termination
of parental rights, in addition to the two required elements found in section 161.001—that
a predicate statutory ground for termination exists and that termination is in the best
interest of the child. See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. §§ 161.001, 161.004. Section 161.004,
entitled ―Termination of Parental Rights after Denial of Prior Petition to Terminate,‖
provides:
(a) The court may terminate the parent-child relationship after rendition of
an order that previously denied termination of the parent-child relationship
if:
(1) the petition under this section is filed after the date the order denying
termination was rendered;
(2) the circumstances of the child, parent, sole managing conservator,
possessory conservator, or other party affected by the order denying
termination have materially and substantially changed since the date that
the order was rendered;
(3) the parent committed an act listed under Section 161.001 before the date
the order denying termination was rendered; and
(4) termination is in the best interest of the child.
(b) At a hearing under this section, the court may consider evidence
presented at a previous hearing in a suit for termination of the parent-child
relationship of the parent with respect to the same child.
TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 161.004 (West 2008).
The Department, nonetheless, posits that section 161.004’s requirement of
material and substantial change of circumstances is not applicable to this termination
proceeding because ―an express denial of termination‖ of Father’s parental rights does
not appear in the June 22, 2010 decree, and the testimony during trial indicates that the
Department did not seek termination of parental rights at the time of the prior decree
13
because there was hope that the parents could rehabilitate.5 The Department
acknowledges that the prior decree contained a Mother Hubbard clause stating ―that all
relief requested in this case and not expressly granted is denied,‖ and that it could be
argued that the prior decree denied the request for parental termination, making section
161.004 applicable. The Department, however, contends that its claim for parental
termination as to each parent was an alternative request for relief because such request
was worded hypothetically—―[i]f reunification . . . cannot be achieved.‖
On this record, we hold that the prior decree operated to deny the Department’s
prior request to terminate Father’s parental rights.6 Therefore, we address whether there
has been a material and substantial change in the circumstances of the children or the
parties under section 161.004.
There are no definite guidelines as to what constitutes a material and substantial
change in circumstances under section 161.004. In re J.R., No. 07-12-00003-CV, 2012
5
Allen’s testimony at trial showed:
A. When the Agency was granted PMC [Permanent Managing Conservator] in
June of 2010, we still had hoped that [Mother] would get her life together, do services,
and ultimately regain custody of the children.
Q. Did you have a chance to terminate the father’s rights or ask for termination
at that time?
A. Yes, we had a chance.
Q. Was it also your home that he would get his act together?
A. Yes, it was a hope, but we were looking at reunifying, if ever, in the future
with [Mother].
6
See In re M.F., No. 11-08-00276-CV, 2010 WL 1948625, at *1–2 (Tex. App.—Eastland May
13, 2010, no pet.) (mem. op.) (finding that section 161.004 was applicable where the trial court had
entered prior order naming the paternal aunt and uncle as permanent managing conservators and the
parents as possessory conservators because, although there was not a previous order denying termination
of parental rights, there was an agreed final order in response to a petition to terminate parental rights).
14
WL 1605738, at *3 (Tex. App.—Amarillo May 8, 2012, no pet.) (mem. op.) (citing In re
N.R.T., 338 S.W.3d 667, 678–79 (Tex. App.—Amarillo 2011, no pet.)).7
Father argues that his circumstances have not materially and substantially changed
despite his current confinement.8 Father’s primary argument is that his incarceration is
not a material and substantial change because it was anticipated at the time of the June
22, 2010 decree. Father further contends that, because he was not named a possessory
conservator in the prior June 22, 2010 decree, his incarceration, even if not an anticipated
circumstance at the time of that decree, would not be a material and substantial change.
Father avers that upon release he would be available to do a family service plan and work
towards having the children returned to him.
Contrary to Father’s contention, the adjudication of Father’s guilt and imposition
of a two-year prison sentence since the June 2010 decree is a material and substantial
change in circumstances. See In re B.L.H., No. 01-06-00817-CV, 2008 WL 864072, at
*6 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2008, no pet.) (mem. op.) (holding that the trial court
could have concluded that the appellant’s return to jail, whether on a probation violation
or a new offense, was a material and substantial change in circumstances).
Moreover, a material and substantial change in circumstances is not limited to
Father’s circumstances as he seems to suggest. Here, the trial court could also find the
requisite material and substantial change in the circumstances of Mother or the children.
As the Department points out, the request to terminate Father’s parental rights was the
second alternative originally proposed—subordinate to Mother’s rehabilitation and the
family being reunited. However, Mother failed three drug tests after rendition of the June
2010 decree and was in drug treatment for the fourth time at the time of trial, with
7
Section 161.004 is often addressed in the context of the parents’ raising res judicata in a
termination proceeding or arguing that it should have been raised. In re K.G., 350 S.W.3d 338, 349 (Tex.
App.—Fort Worth 2011, pet. denied). There is also a split of authority on whether the trial court’s prior
order has to be final before section 161.004 can be used. Id. at 349 n.18.
8
Although Father specifically relies on section 156.101, we address whether there has been a
material and substantial change in circumstances under section 161.004.
15
another year and a half left in the residential treatment program at Cenikor. See
Thompson v. Tex. Dep’t of Family & Protective Servs., 176 S.W.3d 121, 126 (Tex.
App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2004, pet. denied) (observing that the mother had been unable
to follow the service plan, her rights had been terminated, and the appellant was in prison
unable to care for the child; therefore the mother’s changed circumstances were relevant
to the child’s circumstances ―because there is now no possibility of the child and both
parents being reunited in a suitable home‖), overruled on other grounds by Cervantes-
Peterson v. Tex. Dep’t of Family & Protective Servs., 221 S.W.3d 244 (Tex. App.—
Houston [1st Dist.] 2006, no pet.).
Furthermore, the children were removed from the aunt’s home in July 2011
because of domestic violence, and it was later disclosed that the children were subject to
abuse and neglect in the aunt’s home. Although the evidence showed that the children
were improving, happy in the foster home, and bonding with the foster parents, the
children were also showing signs of anxiety from the lack of stability and permanence.
An adoptive home had been found for C.A.C. with the relative of the foster parents, and
the foster parents were considering adopting the three boys but had not made any
commitment. See In re J.R., 2012 WL 1605738, at *4 (observing that the children, who
were in foster homes, were ―significantly closer, both psychologically and logistically, to
places in which they seek adoptive families and stability,‖ thereby supporting a finding of
material and substantial change in circumstances); Thompson, 176 S.W.3d at 126
(holding that child’s progress in foster care was a change in circumstances because it
―ha[d] readied him for a more permanent placement‖).
We conclude that the trial court could have formed a firm belief or conviction that
there has been a material and substantial change in the circumstances of Father, Mother,
and the children since the rendition of the June 22, 2010 decree. We overrule Father’s
first issue.
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C. Best Interest
In his second issue, Father asserts that the evidence is legally and factually
insufficient to support the trial court’s finding that termination of his parental rights is in
the best interest of the children. In support of this issue, Father relies on his testimony
that his mother supports his efforts to get back his children and that he loves his children
―with all his heart.‖ Father claimed at trial that he is ―completely clean and sober‖ and he
is ―fully committed to [his] children.‖
There is a strong presumption that the best interest of the child is served by
keeping the child with the natural parent. In re R.R., 209 S.W.3d 112, 116 (Tex. 2006)
(per curiam); In re U.P., 105 S.W.3d 222, 230 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2003,
pet. denied). The Department has the burden to rebut this presumption. In re U.P., 105
S.W.3d at 230.
In determining whether termination is in the best interest of the child, we may
consider (1) the child’s desires; (2) the present and future physical and emotional needs
of the child; (3) the present and future emotional and physical danger to the child; (4) the
parental abilities of the person seeking custody; (5) the programs available to assist those
persons seeking custody in promoting the best interest of the child; (6) plans for the child
by the individuals or agency seeking custody; (7) the stability of the home or proposed
placement; (8) acts or omissions of the parent that indicate the existing parent-child
relationship is not appropriate; and (9) any excuse for the parent’s acts or omissions.
Holley v. Adams, 544 S.W.2d 367, 371–72 (Tex. 1976). The Holley factors are not
exhaustive, nor must all the factors be proved as a condition precedent to terminate
parental rights. In re C.H., 89 S.W.3d at 27. ―The absence of evidence about some of
these considerations would not preclude a factfinder from reasonably forming a strong
conviction or belief that termination is in the child’s best interest, particularly if the
evidence were undisputed that the parental relationship endangered the safety of the
child.‖ Id.
17
Evidence supporting termination under one of the grounds listed in section
161.001(1) may support a finding that termination is in the best interest of the children.
See id. (―While it is true that proof of acts or omissions under section 161.001(1) does not
relieve the petitioner from proving the best interest of the child, the same evidence may
be probative of both issues.‖). The trial court found by clear and convincing evidence
that Father had engaged in conduct or knowingly placed the children with persons who
engaged in conduct which endangers the physical or emotional well-being of the children
under section 161.001(1)(E). Father does not challenge trial court’s findings of
termination under section 161.001(1)(E).
Under subsection E, the cause of the endangerment must be the parent’s conduct
and must be the result of a conscious course of conduct rather than a single act or
omission. In re S.M.L., 171 S.W.3d 472, 477 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2005, no
pet.). It is not necessary that the parent’s conduct be directed at the child or that the child
actually is injured; rather, a child is endangered when the environment or the parent’s
course of conduct creates a potential for danger of which the parent is aware but
disregards. Id. Father admitted that there was domestic violence from 2002 to until
2005, when K.G.C. was born. Father denied that he ever beat Mother when she was
pregnant, with the exception of one time, or that he broke her nose or injured her badly
enough that she required treatment at a hospital. However, Mother testified that Father
beat her when she was pregnant with every child, broke her nose, and injured her to the
extent that she sought treatment at a hospital. Acts of endangerment that precede the
child’s birth may be considered. In re J.I.T.P., 99 S.W.3d 841, 844 (Tex. App.—Houston
[14th Dist.] 2003, no pet.). Abusive or violent conduct can produce a home environment
that endangers a child’s well-being. Id. at 845. ―Domestic violence, want of self control,
and propensity for violence may be considered as evidence of endangerment.‖ Id. Thus,
evidence of domestic violence between Mother and Father supports a finding of
endangerment to the physical or emotional well-being to the children.
18
Father also admitted that he ―probably smoked a joint every day,‖ although he
claimed that ―[he] never did it around [his] kids,‖ and he did not consider himself to be ―a
heavy drug user.‖ It is well settled that ―a parent’s use of narcotics and its effect on his or
her ability to parent may qualify as an endangering course of conduct.‖ In re J.O.A., 283
S.W.3d at 345; see also In re M.E.-M.N., 342 S.W.3d 254, 263 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth
2011, pet. denied) (―Drug use and its effect on a parent’s ability to parent may establish
an endangering course of conduct.‖); Toliver v. Tex. Dep’t of Family & Protective Servs.,
217 S.W.3d 85, 98 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2006, no pet.) (explaining that use of
narcotics, in some circumstances, may support termination under section 161.001(1)(E),
and evidence of narcotics use and its effect on a parent’s life and the ability to parent may
establish that the parent has engaged in an endangering course of conduct); In re U.P.,
105 S.W.3d at 233 (―Endangerment may include evidence of drug addiction and its effect
on a parent’s life and his ability to parent.‖).
The evidence shows that Father is unable to provide for the present and future
physical and emotional needs of children because of the domestic violence, his drug use,
the children having lived in a homeless shelter, and his incarceration.9 ―A parent who
lacks stability, income, and a home is unable to provide for a child’s emotional and
physical needs.‖ In re J.T.G., No. 14-10-00972-CV, 2012 WL 171012, at *17 (Tex.
App.—Houston [14th Dist.] Jan. 19, 2012, no pet.) (mem. op.). Father’s conduct also put
the children in emotional and physical danger, and it indicates that the parental-child
relationship with each child was not appropriate. Finally, the Department intended to
find permanent homes for the children. At the time of trial, an adoptive home had been
9
Father admitted that he had a ―pretty bad‖ gambling addiction, but he claimed the he took care
of his children in spite of it. Although Father testified that he has work experience in call centers,
collections, corporate sales, and human resources, he also admitted that he did not realize how difficult it
would be to obtain employment if convicted. Father stated they went to the homeless shelter when he
originally lost his job. Father conceded he had not paid any support since June 2010. At the March 2012
hearing, Father agreed that he was not projected to be released from jail until September 2012. Moreover,
Father testified that he believes his aunt took ―good care‖ of his children, notwithstanding the fact that
Fort Bend County had initiated an investigation into alleged abuse.
19
identified for C.A.C., and the foster parents were considering adopting the boys. Father
did not provide a plan for his children beyond his statement that he loves them and his
mother supports him getting his children back.10
For cases in which the Department or another government agency is the petitioner,
Section 263.307(a) of the Texas Family Code provides that ―the prompt and permanent
placement of the child in a safe environment is presumed to be in the child’s best
interest.‖ TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 263.307(a) (West 2008). Section 263.307(b) lists the
factors to consider in determining whether a parent is ―willing to provide the child with a
safe environment.‖ Id. § 263.307(b). Those factors include: (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 or other agency; (5) whether the child is fearful of living
in or returning to the child’s home; (6) the results of psychiatric, psychological, 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 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
10
Moreover, Allen testified that it would be in the children’s best interest to terminate Mother’s
and Father’s parental rights because the children had lacked stability and structure with their parents.
McCartney also explained that termination of parental right was in the children’s best interest because the
children needed permanency, and adoptive homes needed to be identified sooner rather than later. At the
time of trial, the children had been the Department’s care for nearly three years. Finally, the evidence
showed that the children did not ask about Father.
20
demonstrates adequate parenting skills, including providing the child and other children
under the family’s care with: (A) minimally adequate health and nutritional care; (B)
care, nurturance, and appropriate discipline consistent with the child’s physical and
psychological development; (C) guidance and supervision consistent with the child’s
safety; (D) a safe physical home environment; (E) protection from repeated exposure to
violence even though the violence may not be directed at the child; and (F) an
understanding of the child’s needs and capabilities; and (13) whether an adequate social
support system consisting of an extended family and friends is available to the child. Id.
The first, seventh, eighth, ninth, and twelfth statutory factors are relevant to the
best-interest inquiry in this case. All four children are young. The oldest child was
almost nine at the time of trial. The children are, therefore, completely dependent on
adults for their care. The evidence showed an extensive amount of domestic violence,
including while Mother was pregnant with each child. Father admitted to smoking
marijuana every day.
We conclude that the trial court could have formed a firm belief or conviction that
termination of Father’s rights to C.A.C., S.Y.C., K.G.C., and M.E.C. was in the
children’s best interest. We overrule Father’s second issue.
Having overruled both of Father’s issues on appeal, we affirm the trial court’s
judgment.
/s/ Sharon McCally
Justice
Panel consists of Justices Frost, McCally, and Busby.
21