in the Interest of A.P.S., J.D.R., J.C.H., Children ( 2012 )

NO. 07-11-00476-CV
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE SEVENTH DISTRICT OF TEXAS
AT AMARILLO
PANEL B
MAY 21, 2012
IN THE INTEREST OF A.P.S., J.D.R., J.C.H., CHILDREN
FROM THE 137TH DISTRICT COURT OF LUBBOCK COUNTY;
NO. 2010-551,681; HONORABLE KEVIN C. HART, JUDGE
Before QUINN, C.J., and CAMPBELL and HANCOCK, JJ.
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Appellant, John, appeals the trial court’s order terminating his parental rights to
son, J.C.H.1 He contends on appeal that the evidence was insufficient to establish a
predicate act or omission supporting termination and to support the trial court’s finding
that termination of the parent-child relationship was in the child’s best interest. We will
affirm the trial court’s order.
1
Throughout this opinion, J.C.H.’s parents will be referred to by the pseudonyms
“John” and “Barbara,” and the children will be identified by their initials. See TEX. FAM.
CODE ANN. § 109.002(d) (West Supp. 2011); TEX. R. APP. P. 9.8(b).
Factual and Procedural History
The Department of Family and Protective Services received a call in March 2010
reporting that children, A.P.S., J.D.R., and J.C.H., were being physically neglected and
that their mother, Barbara, had been hospitalized following a suicide attempt in the
presence of the children. Living in the house at the time were the three children and
Barbara. A.P.S.’s and J.D.R.’s fathers were apparently not involved in their children’s
lives, and J.CH.’s father, John, was in the Lubbock County Jail at the time of the report.
John was incarcerated as a result of an aggravated assault conviction stemming
from a 2007 incident in which he attempted to hit Barbara with a car during an
argument. Originally, he had been placed on four years’ deferred adjudication
community supervision in connection with those charges but had violated several of the
terms of his community supervision by, inter alia, absconding from a required
rehabilitation program and possessing marijuana. Based on the several violations
alleged in the State’s application, the trial court had adjudicated John guilty of
aggravated assault and sentenced him to serve three years in prison. At the time of the
final hearing, he was still serving that sentence.
John and Barbara’s relationship was a troubled, tumultuous one, marred by
instances of domestic violence, drug and alcohol abuse, and involvement with the law.
Among them is the incident in which John attempted to hit Barbara with the car. As a
condition of his original community supervision stemming from that incident, John was
required to attend a six-month rehabilitation program. He began that program but left it.
John tested positive for marijuana a number of times and admitted that he used
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marijuana during his community supervision period. On Christmas Eve 2008, both John
and Barbara were arrested for possession of marijuana. On Thanksgiving 2009, a
neighbor called law enforcement when he heard an argument between John and
Barbara. Officers responded and discovered an active warrant for John based on
violations of his community supervision. He was arrested that night.
The psychologist who evaluated Barbara testified that she admitted to using
crack cocaine four times a week when she could get it. She also reported her abuse of
alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, and prescription painkillers. She
revealed to the psychologist that she had cut herself on three different occasions and
had attempted suicide four times. She recounted two incidents of domestic violence.
At the final hearing, the trial court confirmed that Barbara voluntarily relinquished
her rights to all three children. In her own medical history included with her
relinquishment, she acknowledged depression, suicide attempts, and alcohol and drug
abuse. Barbara reported that she was under the influence of alcohol and cocaine the
time she last attempted suicide.
John appeared at the final hearing by telephone. He described his efforts to
comply with the Department’s service plan and his efforts to further his education while
in prison. He also recounted two instances of domestic violence in the relationship,
describing one as an instance in which he pushed Barbara away by her throat.
Throughout his testimony on that topic, he seemed to minimize the gravity of the
instances and maintained that the children were not present and did not witness the
violence. The record suggests the contrary. John also indicated that he knew of
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Barbara’s drug and alcohol abuse. He explained that he and Barbara would consume a
good amount of alcohol on various weekends. He testified that he had no idea of
Barbara’s use of methamphetamine. He admitted to having used cocaine with her on,
at least, ten occasions but claimed that he did not know of her regular use of cocaine
until he received the CPS report while incarcerated. He claimed that, any time the
couple drank or did drugs, the children were at a babysitter’s house, but admitted that
he smoked marijuana on a daily basis during the relationship and acknowledged that
the children were present when the couple was arrested on Christmas Eve 2008.
John explained that, when he and Barbara were not drunk or high, they tried to
do family things together. He testified that he no longer does–but, at one point, did–
plan to continue a relationship with Barbara; he explained that he could not be in a
relationship with a woman who relinquished her rights to her children. He testified to
having known of, at least, one suicide attempt by Barbara sometime between February
and July of 2009, prior to his incarceration and during a time period he says the two
were not seeing one another. He explained that his sister told him about the attempt
and indicated that Barbara told him as well.
After hearing the evidence, the trial court found that the evidence supported a
finding of three predicate grounds for termination and a finding that termination of the
parent-child relationship was in J.C.H.’s best interest. John perfected appeal and, now,
brings to this Court one issue challenging the legal and factual sufficiency of the
evidence to support each of the predicate grounds for termination and the finding that
termination was in J.C.H.’s best interest.
4
Applicable Law and Standards of Review
The natural right existing between parents and their children is of constitutional
dimension. Holick v. Smith, 685 S.W.2d 18, 20 (Tex. 1985); see Santosky v. Kramer,
455 U.S. 745, 758–59, 102 S. Ct. 1388, 71 L. Ed. 2d 599 (1982). A decree terminating
this natural right is complete, final, irrevocable, and divests for all time that natural right
as well as all legal rights, privileges, duties, and powers between the parent and child
except for the child’s right to inherit. Holick, 685 S.W.2d at 20. That being so, we are
required to strictly scrutinize termination proceedings. In re G.M., 596 S.W.2d 846, 846
(Tex. 1980). However, parental rights are not absolute, and the emotional and physical
interests of a child must not be sacrificed merely to preserve those rights. In re C.H., 89
S.W.3d 17, 26 (Tex. 2002).
The Texas Family Code permits a court to terminate the parent-child relationship
if the petitioner establishes (1) one or more acts or omissions enumerated under section
161.001 and (2) that termination of the parent-child relationship is in the best interest of
the child. TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 161.001 (West Supp. 2011); Holley v. Adams, 544
S.W.2d 367, 370 (Tex. 1976). Though evidence may be relevant to both elements,
each element must be proven, and proof of one does not relieve the burden of proving
the other. See In re C.H., 89 S.W.3d at 28. While both a statutory ground and best
interest of the child must be proven, only one statutory ground is required to terminate
parental rights under section 161.001. In re A.V., 113 S.W.3d 355, 362 (Tex. 2003).
Therefore, we will affirm the trial court’s order of termination if legally and factually
sufficient evidence supports any one of the grounds found in the termination order,
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provided the record shows that it was also in the best interest of the child for the
parent’s rights to be terminated. See id.
Due process requires the application of the clear and convincing standard of
proof in cases involving involuntary termination of parental rights. In re J.F.C., 96
S.W.3d 256, 263 (Tex. 2002); see TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 161.206(a) (West 2009).
“‘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 (West 2009).
This standard, which focuses on whether a reasonable jury could form a firm belief or
conviction, retains the deference a reviewing court must have for the factfinder’s role. In
re C.H., 89 S.W.3d at 26.
In reviewing the legal sufficiency of the evidence supporting an order terminating
parental rights, we look at all the evidence in the light most favorable to the finding to
determine whether a reasonable trier of fact could have formed a firm belief or
conviction as to the truth of the allegations sought to be established. See In re J.F.C.,
96 S.W.3d at 266. “To give appropriate deference to the factfinder’s conclusions and
the role of a court conducting a legal sufficiency review, looking at the evidence in the
light most favorable to the judgment means that a reviewing court must assume that the
factfinder resolved disputed facts in favor of its finding if a reasonable factfinder could
do so.” Id. In other words, we will disregard all evidence that a reasonable factfinder
could have disbelieved or found to have been incredible. Id.
6
When reviewing the factual sufficiency of the evidence supporting a termination
order, we determine “whether the evidence is such that a factfinder could reasonably
form a firm belief or conviction about the truth of the [Department]’s allegations.” In re
C.H., 89 S.W.3d at 25. In conducting this review, we consider whether the disputed
evidence is such that a reasonable factfinder could not have resolved the disputed
evidence in favor of its finding. In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d at 266. “If, in light of the entire
record, the disputed evidence that a reasonable factfinder could not have credited in
favor of the finding is so significant that a factfinder could not reasonably have formed a
firm belief or conviction, then the evidence is factually insufficient.” Id.
Analysis
Predicate Act or Omission
Among the three grounds the trial court found as supporting termination of John’s
parental rights to J.C.H. were subsection (D)’s environmental endangerment and
subsection (E)’s course of conduct endangerment of the physical or emotional well-
being of the children. See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 161.001(1)(D), (E).2 “[E]ndanger”
means “to expose to loss or injury; to jeopardize.” Tex. Dep’t of Human Servs. v. Boyd,
727 S.W.2d 531, 533 (Tex. 1987). Although “‘endanger’ means more than a threat of
metaphysical injury or the possible ill effects of a less-than-ideal family environment, it is
2
Especially with respect to the facts in the case at bar, the evidence concerning
these two statutory grounds for termination found in subsections (D) and (E) is closely
related. Because the connection between parental conduct and the children’s
conditions and surroundings is so strong here, we have included evidence relevant to
both grounds in our review of the sufficiency of the evidence. See In re J.T.G., 121
S.W.3d 117, 126 (Tex.App.—Fort Worth 2003, no pet.); In re B.R., 822 S.W.2d 103, 106
(Tex.App.—Tyler 1991, writ denied).
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not necessary that the conduct be directed at the child or that the child actually suffers
injury.” Id.; see In re P.E.W., 105 S.W.3d 771, 777 (Tex.App.—Amarillo 2003, no pet.)
(observing that child “need not develop or succumb to a malady” in order to prove
endangering conditions). Subsection (D) focuses on the suitability of the children’s
living conditions. In re R.D., 955 S.W.2d 364, 367–68 (Tex.App.—San Antonio 1997,
pet. denied). However, although the focus of subsection (D) is on the children’s living
environment and not on the parents’ conduct, parental conduct may produce an
endangering “environment.” See In re D.T., 34 S.W.3d 625, 633 (Tex.App.—Fort Worth
2000, pet. denied).
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 336, 345 (Tex. 2009).
The Texas Supreme Court found that a pattern of the parents’ continued drug use and
“two or three incidents of domestic violence” in addition to the father’s consequent
incarceration were sufficient to support termination of parental rights under subsection
(E). Id. at 346. As further support, the court noted that the father permitted the mother
to leave with the daughter despite the father’s knowledge of the mother’s drug use. Id.
Similarly, here, the record contains evidence suggesting that the drug and alcohol
abuse in the household was more than simply “remote and isolated incidents.” See In
re R.W., 129 S.W.3d 732, 741 (Tex.App.—Fort Worth 2004, pet. denied). Though
John’s testimony indicated that he was committed to making an earnest effort to behave
more responsibly, the trial court, as finder of fact, was “not required to ignore a long
history of dependency and destructive behavior merely because it allegedly abated
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before trial.” Id. (citing In re M.G.D., 108 S.W.3d 508, 513 (Tex.App.—Houston [14th
Dist.] 2003, pet. denied); see In re J.O.A., 283 S.W.3d at 346.
Turning, next, to evidence of domestic violence in the household, we note that
abuse does not need to be directed at the child or children in question to support a
finding of endangerment. See In re W.J.H., 111 S.W.3d 707, 716 (Tex.App.—Fort
Worth 2003, pet. denied). Abusive and violent criminal conduct by a parent can
produce an environment that endangers a child’s well-being. Jordan v. Dossey, 325
S.W.3d 700, 724 (Tex.App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2010, pet. denied) (citing In re B.R.,
822 S.W.2d at 106).
Here, John admitted that there had been instances of domestic violence between
him and Barbara but maintains that those instances occurred outside the children’s
presence or in a manner that could not have negatively affected the children.3 The
record, however, shows that A.P.S. and J.D.H., the two older children in the household,
reported having witnessed domestic violence between John and Barbara, and J.C.H.
has referred to the incidents of domestic violence, suggesting that he was aware of it
regardless of whether he witnessed the actual incidents.
Evidence that a person has engaged in abusive conduct in the past permits an
inference that the person will continue violent behavior in the future. Id.; In re M.G.M.,
163 S.W.3d 191, 202 (Tex.App.—Beaumont 2005, no pet.). Authority suggests that
domestic violence, standing alone, may suffice to support termination of parental rights.
3
To the extent John advances this position, we note that a child’s presence when
the violence occurs is not necessary to uphold a finding of endangerment. See In re
W.J.H., 111 S.W.3d at 716.
9
See Lucas v. Tex. Dep’t of Protective & Regulatory Servs., 949 S.W.2d 500, 503
(Tex.App.—Waco 1997, writ denied). On these facts, however, there is more evidence
supporting the termination of John’s parental rights.
Ultimately, the argument during which John attempted to hit Barbara with the car
led to John’s incarceration. Between the incident and incarceration, however, John had
opportunities to avoid or minimize the time he would spend incarcerated. He did not
take advantage of those opportunities. His continued disinclination to act in accordance
with the law and abide by the terms of his community supervision subjected J.C.H. to a
life of uncertainty and instability which endangered his physical and emotional well-
being. See In re S.D., 980 S.W.2d 758, 763 (Tex.App.—San Antonio 1998, pet.
denied); see also In re I.G.H., No. 07-10-00458-CV, 2012 Tex. App. LEXIS 1755, at
*17–18 (Tex.App.—Amarillo Mar. 6, 2012, no pet.) (mem. op.). Mere imprisonment will
not, standing alone, constitute engaging in conduct that endangers the physical or
emotional well-being of the child. Boyd, 727 S.W.2d at 533. However, an environment
which routinely subjects a child to the probability that he will be left alone because his
parent is once again incarcerated endangers both the physical and emotional well-being
of the child. In re S.D., 980 S.W.2d at 763; In re C.L.C., 119 S.W.3d 382, 393
(Tex.App.—Tyler 2003, no pet.); Robinson v. Tex. Dep’t of Protective & Regulatory
Servs., 89 S.W.3d 679, 687 (Tex.App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2002, no pet.) (observing
that “appellant knew her parental rights were in jeopardy when she continued her illegal
drug use”).
The record shows that despite the risk that John’s continued pattern of behavior
involving violence and drug abuse would ultimately lead to his incarceration for a
10
substantial period of time, John persisted in such behavior and was, in fact,
incarcerated for a substantial period of time, leaving J.C.H. in Barbara’s care. His
persistence in such a pattern created an endangering environment and constituted
endangering conduct not only in its own right, but also by the consequences his
persistence carried with it: leaving the children in the mentally unstable Barbara’s care.
The record shows that Barbara attempted suicide by slitting her wrists while the
children were in her care. So, while her actions as a parent are not directly at issue in
the case before us, we do consider her actions as the person with whom John left the
children. Without question, her attempted suicide is conduct that endangered the
physical and emotional well-being of the children. A parent’s mental instability and
attempt to commit suicide may contribute to a finding that the parent engaged in a
course of conduct that endangered a child’s well-being. See In re J.T.G., 121 S.W.3d at
126; In re A.M.C., 2 S.W.3d 707, 716 (Tex.App.—Waco 1999, no pet.) (upholding jury’s
determination of endangerment where evidence showed mother’s suicidal thoughts,
suicide attempts, and neglect); In re C.D., 664 S.W.2d 851, 853 (Tex.App.—Fort Worth
1984, no writ) (concluding that parent’s mental condition and suicide attempts were
relevant to endangering course of conduct inquiry).
The record suggests that John knew of, at least, one prior suicide attempt by
Barbara and that he also knew of her drug and alcohol abuse (although his testimony
suggests that he did not know the breadth and severity of her drug use) and, yet,
engaged in a course of conduct that ultimately led to him being incarcerated and the
children being left in Barbara’s care. That said, John knowingly placed J.C.H. in the
care of someone who engaged in conduct which endangered his physical or emotional
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well-being. See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 161.001(1)(E); In re S.I.H., No. 02-11-00489-
CV, 2012 Tex. App. LEXIS 2081, at *14 (Tex.App.—Fort Worth Mar. 15, 2012) (mem.
op.) (noting that, despite knowing about caretaker’s history of drug abuse, attempted
suicides, and “psychotic issues,” mother did not return to care for the child or ensure
that someone else could); In re D.R.J., No. 07-08-00410-CV, 2009 Tex. App. LEXIS
5231, at *20–21 (Tex.App.—Amarillo July 8, 2009, pet. denied) (mem. op.) (concluding
that, because mother knew of caretaker’s abusive conduct and involvement in dealing
drugs, she knowingly placed her children in the care of someone who engaged in
conduct which endangered their physical or emotional well-being). Further, we note
that John, knowing of Barbara’s substance abuse and mental instability, made no effort
prior to the Department’s intervention, to make alternative childcare arrangements or to
make any effort to safeguard the welfare of the children, who were, in his absence, left
solely in Barbara’s care. Only when the Department intervened did John make any
attempt to find any other caretaker.
Considering the patterns of drug and alcohol abuse, domestic violence,
Barbara’s suicidal tendencies, John’s extended incarceration, and the unstable
environment the convergence of all these factors created, the evidence is sufficient to
support the trial court’s findings on the grounds for termination set forth in both
subsections (D) and (E) of Section 161.001(1). See In re J.T.G., 121 S.W.3d at 128
(holding evidence sufficient to support findings under subsections (D) and (E) given
evidence of continued drug use, domestic violence, and suicide attempt).
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Best Interest
The Texas Supreme Court has recognized a non-exhaustive list of factors that
are pertinent to the inquiry whether termination of parental rights is in the best interest of
the child: (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 to promote the best interest of the child, (6) the
plans for the child by these individuals or by the agency seeking custody, (7) the
stability of the home or proposed placement, (8) the acts or omissions of the parent
which may indicate that the existing parent-child relationship is not a proper one, and (9)
any excuse for the acts or omissions of the parent. See Holley, 544 S.W.2d at 371–72;
see also TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 263.307 (West 2009) (providing extensive list of factors
that may be considered in determining child’s best interest). In examining the best
interest of the child, we may consider evidence that was also probative of the predicate
act or omission. See In re C.H., 89 S.W.3d at 28. The best interest determination may
rely on direct or circumstantial evidence, subjective facts, and the totality of the
evidence. In re N.R.T., 338 S.W.3d 667, 677 (Tex.App.—Amarillo 2011, no. pet).
The Department need not prove all nine Holley factors, and the absence of
evidence relevant to some of those factors does not bar a finding that termination is in
the child’s best interest, especially in the face of undisputed evidence that the parental
relationship endangered the child. See In re C.H., 89 S.W.3d at 27. No one Holley
factor is controlling, and evidence of one factor may be sufficient to support a finding
13
that termination is in the child’s best interest. In re A.P., 184 S.W.3d 410, 414
(Tex.App.—Dallas 2006, no pet.)
The record suggests that, while John was in prison, he completed his G.E.D. and
took classes preparing him for work in the electrical trade. He explained that he
planned to take advantage of his newly-attained education and skills to try to find a job
in the electrical field. He outlined a fairly detailed strategy relating to his career goals.
He also explained that he had been admitted into a rehabilitation program that would
earn him an earlier release date from prison.
John, though apparently determined and hopeful regarding his rehabilitation
program and subsequent release from prison, has no means of ensuring that he has
adequate housing or means to care for J.C.H. He expressed a hope that he could live
with his sister but noted that the parole board had yet to approve such a plan. He also
expressed some concerns over the suitability of his sister’s house, admitting that police
were often summoned to her home. If he were unable to find a family member with
whom he could live, he conceded, he would have to live, likely for three to six months, in
a halfway house, where children are not permitted to live. So, although John expressed
a desire to meet J.C.H.’s needs, the simple facts are that, at the time of the final
hearing, he was still incarcerated and had a limited ability to plan for his or J.C.H.’s
future despite the prospect of his release in the upcoming months.4 See In re M.D.S., 1
S.W.3d 190, 200 (Tex.App.—Amarillo 1999, no pet.). For these reasons, the
4
The record indicates that John proposed two homes as possible placements for
J.C.H.: John’s mother’s and his sister’s homes. Based on limited resources and
references and on omissions from criminal history disclosure, the Department denied
placement in John’s mother’s home. John’s sister failed to correspond with the
Department by phone or letter so that the Department could complete a home study.
14
uncertainty of John’s plans for J.C.H. weigh in favor of termination and leave us unable
to evaluate the stability of the hypothetical home he envisions.
In contrast, the Department plans to seek an adoptive family for J.C.H.
Currently, he is placed in foster care with his older sister, A.P.S. Their brother, J.D.R.,
has been adopted by his father’s family. While in foster care, J.C.H. is receiving
counseling to address behavioral issues which include ADHD, adjustment disorder, and
aggressiveness. The Department maintains, and John concedes, that foster care is
providing J.C.H. with the most stability and resources that he has ever known.
John did complete some of the exercises implemented by the Department to
improve his parenting skills and appeared to be receptive to completing more.
However, the trial court was not required to ignore or somehow discount John’s patterns
of drug abuse and incarceration. See In re D.M., 58 S.W.3d 801, 814 (Tex.App.—Fort
Worth 2001, no pet.). We also observe the impact of John’s patterns, leading to the
point where J.C.H. was left in the sole custody of his mentally unstable mother. See
Jordan, 325 S.W.3d at 733 (on best interest determination in relation to unstable,
suicidal caretaker).
John recalled having shared special memories with all of the children and
described special activities he and J.C.H. shared. While we recognize the special bond
between father and son, we cannot permit that recognition or our own sentiment to
override the best interest of J.C.H. See In re W.S.M., 107 S.W.3d 772, 773 (Tex.
App.—Texarkana 2003, no pet.).
15
Instead, a child’s need for permanence is of paramount importance in his or her
present and future emotional and physical needs. See Dupree v. Tex. Dep’t of
Protective & Regulatory Servs., 907 S.W.2d 81, 87 (Tex.App.—Dallas 1995, no writ).
John, while he earnestly expressed his desire to provide J.C.H. permanence, is not in a
position to do so. Further, his pattern of behavior and his uncertain position upon
release from prison do not fare well when compared to the Department’s provision of
stability in foster care and its plans for J.C.H.’s adoption into a permanent home. We
remain mindful, as did the trial court in its oral pronouncement, that we are to look, not
at John’s ideals and designs for the parent-child relationship, but whether termination of
that relationship in the best interest of J.C.H. And the record before us supports the
finding that it is. We overrule John’s challenge to the evidence supporting the trial
court’s finding regarding J.C.H.’s best interest.
Conclusion
Having overruled the issue John has presented to this Court, we affirm the trial
court’s order terminating John’s parental rights to J.C.H.
Mackey K. Hancock
Justice
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