In the Interest of K.S., a Child , 2014 Tex. App. LEXIS 9230 ( 2014 )

NO. 12-14-00061-CV
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
TWELFTH COURT OF APPEALS DISTRICT
TYLER, TEXAS
§ APPEAL FROM THE 392ND
IN THE INTEREST OF K. S.,
§ JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT
A CHILD
§ HENDERSON COUNTY, TEXAS
OPINION
D.S. appeals the termination of her parental rights to K.S. and raises seven issues on
appeal. We affirm.
BACKGROUND
D.S. is the mother of K.S., who was born on March 14, 2011; both are from Oklahoma
City, Oklahoma.1 D.S. and K.S. had been traveling through Texas when a report of neglectful
supervision was reported at a Texas hospital, which led to the ultimate removal of K.S. from
D.S.‟s custody. On January 7, 2013, the Department of Family and Protective Services (the
Department or CPS) filed a petition for protection of K.S., for conservatorship, and for termination
in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship. That same day, the trial court signed an emergency
order naming the Department as temporary sole managing conservator of K.S. On January 14,
2013, a representative from the Cherokee Nation advised the trial court that it was intervening in
the case on K.S.‟s behalf. The hearing concluded the next day, and the trial court ordered the
Department to continue as temporary managing conservator of K.S.
1
According to the Department‟s amended petition, the father of K.S. is unknown. He is not a party to this
appeal.
On January 27, 2014, a jury was selected and the case proceeded to trial. 2 Ultimately, it
was determined that the parent-child relationship between D.S. and K.S. should be terminated.
This appeal followed.
INDIAN CHILD WELFARE ACT
At the time of trial, D.S. was a member of the Cherokee tribe. Thus, K.S. qualifies as an
“Indian child” under the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA).3 See Indian Child Welfare Act of
1978, 25 U.S.C.A. §§ 1901-1963 (West, Westlaw current through P.L. 113-125 (excluding P.L.
113-121)).
In 1978, Congress recognized that the United States has a direct interest in protecting
Indian children who are members of or are eligible for membership in an Indian tribe. Congress
declared it this Nation‟s policy
to protect the best interests of Indian children and to promote the stability and
security of Indian tribes and families by the establishment of minimum Federal
standards for the removal of Indian children from their families and the placement
of such children in . . . homes which will reflect the unique values of Indian
culture, and by providing for assistance to Indian tribes in the operation of child
and family service programs.
See 25 U.S.C.A. § 1902.
The protection of the tribal interest is at the core of the ICWA, which recognizes that the
tribe has an interest in the child that is distinct from, but on a parity with, the interest of the
parents. Miss. Band of Choctaw Indians v. Holyfield, 490 U.S. 30, 52, 109 S. Ct. 1597, 1610,
104 L. Ed. 2d 29 (1989) (quoting In re Adoption of Halloway, 732 P.2d 962, 969-70 (Utah 1986)).
D.S. raises seven issues relating to the trial court‟s application of the ICWA to this case.
2
The trial court retained the suit on its docket for an additional six months beyond the statutory dismissal
date. See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 263.401(b) (West 2014) (providing that a court may retain a suit on its docket if
extraordinary circumstances require the child to remain in the temporary managing conservatorship of the department
and the department‟s continued appointment as temporary managing conservator is in the child‟s best interest).
3
The Indian Child Welfare Act defines “Indian child” as “any unmarried person who is under age eighteen
and is either (a) a member of an Indian tribe or (b) is eligible for membership in an Indian tribe and is the biological
child of a member of an Indian tribe. . . .” Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, 25 U.S.C.A. § 1903(4) (West, Westlaw
current through P.L. 113-125 (excluding P.L. 113-121)).
2
NOTICE REQUIREMENTS
In her first issue, D.S. contends that the trial court erred by failing to provide proper
notification of the pending proceedings and right of intervention in accordance with the required
notice procedures of the ICWA.4 The trial court‟s application of the ICWA is a question of law,
which we review de novo. See also In re J.J.C., 302 S.W.3d 896, 902 (Tex. App.—Waco 2009,
no pet.).
Applicable Law
Section 1912(a) requires that, in any involuntary proceeding in a state court involving an
Indian child, “the party seeking the foster care placement of, or termination of parental rights to, an
Indian child shall notify the parent or Indian custodian and the Indian child‟s tribe, by registered
mail with return receipt requested, of the pending proceedings and of their right of intervention.”
25 U.S.C.A. § 1912(a). An “Indian child‟s tribe” means “(a) the Indian tribe in which an Indian
child is a member or eligible for membership or (b), in the case of an Indian child who is a
member of or eligible for membership in more than one tribe, the Indian tribe with which the
Indian child has the more significant contacts[.]” 25 U.S.C.A. § 1903(5).
Discussion
Although D.S. is a member of the Cherokee Nation, the record shows that she may have
ties to the Choctaw Nation tribe because D.S. claimed that her father was affiliated in some way
with that tribe. Cherokee Nation had actual notice of the proceedings involving K.S., but there is
no evidence that Choctaw Nation was ever notified of the proceedings.
D.S. contends that the proceedings should be invalidated because Choctaw Nation did not
receive notice and because the notice afforded to Cherokee Nation did not comply with Section
1912(a). Due to D.S.‟s membership in Cherokee Nation and ties with Choctaw Nation, K.S. could
be a member of or eligible for membership in both tribes, but the trial court did not determine
which tribe was K.S.‟s tribe. We abated the appeal for the trial court to conduct a hearing to
determine K.S.‟s tribe under the ICWA.5
4
All statutory references are to the ICWA unless otherwise indicated.
5
When an Indian child is a member of more than one tribe or is eligible for membership in more than one
tribe but is not a member of any of them, “the court is called upon to determine with which tribe the child has more
significant contacts.” BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS GUIDELINES FOR STATE COURTS; INDIAN CHILD CUSTODY
PROCEEDINGS, 44 FED. REG. 67,584, 67,590 (Nov. 26, 1979) (Guidelines).
3
The supplemental clerk‟s and reporter‟s records show that the trial court conducted the
hearing to determine K.S.‟s tribe on July 9, 2014. Both tribes received notice of the hearing to
determine K.S.‟s tribe by registered mail with return receipt requested. Choctaw Nation did not
file a response or appear at the hearing.6 The Cherokee Nation representative, Kristi Crawford,
appeared and testified that K.S. has contacts with Cherokee Nation through her mother,
grandmother, and great grandparents. She testified that as a member of the Cherokee Nation tribe,
D.S. has received assistance prior to and during the pendency of this case. Crawford further
testified that a “cultural packet” had been sent to K.S.‟s foster home so the foster mother could
teach K.S. about her culture.
Crawford had no knowledge about the extent to which D.S.‟s father was affiliated with
Choctaw Nation, and there is no evidence that K.S. has any significant contacts with Choctaw
Nation. Ultimately, the trial court issued written findings and designated Cherokee Nation as
K.S.‟s tribe. Because Cherokee Nation is K.S.‟s tribe for purposes of the ICWA, we limit our
discussion of the notice requirements as they pertain to the Cherokee Nation.
Cherokee Nation’s Actual Notice
Cherokee Nation became involved “very early” in this case, but there is no showing that
the Department strictly complied with Section 1912(a)‟s requirements.7 Cherokee Nation had a
representative attend court hearings and transport D.S. to Texas for visits and services, and
conducted home visits to D.S.‟s apartment in Oklahoma City. However, Section 1914 provides
that an order of termination may be invalidated for failing to comply with Section 1912. See 25
U.S.C.A. § 1914. Thus, the question before us is whether the trial court‟s order should be
invalidated for failing to strictly comply with Section 1912(a)‟s notice requirements when
Cherokee Nation had actual notice of, and involvement in, these proceedings.
6
The Department filed a letter from the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma that was addressed to the Henderson
County District Attorney and dated July 1, 2014. The letter states, “We have researched our records with the
information you provided and we were unable to establish Indian heritage” for K.S. We note that the trial court “took
judicial notice” of the file, but the trial court may not take judicial notice of the truth of any factual allegations
contained in its file. See In re J.E.H., 384 S.W.3d 864, 870 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2012, no pet.).
7
Although Crawford testified that the Department complied with the notice provisions, the clerk‟s record
contains none of the documentation described by the Guidelines relating to the ICWA notice requirements. See 25
U.S.C.A. § 1912(a) (West, Westlaw current through PL 113-25 (excluding P.L. 113-121)); Guidelines, 44 FED. REG.
67,593 (“The original or a copy of each notice sent pursuant to this section [Section 1912] shall be filed with the court
together with any return receipts or other proof of service.”).
4
i. Texas Cases
The Fort Worth and Waco courts of appeals have held that strict compliance with the
ICWA notice provisions is required. See In re J.J.C., 302 S.W.3d at 902; In re R.R., Jr., 294
S.W.3d 213, 224-25 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2009, no pet.). But in those cases, the children had
not been determined to be “Indian children,” and the ultimate question was whether the ICWA
applied to the termination proceedings. See In re J.J.C., 302 S.W.3d at 902; In re R.R., Jr., 294
S.W.3d at 227. The courts of appeals “conditionally affirmed” the termination orders, holding that
they would affirm if, after proper notice and a hearing, the trial court determined that the children
were not Indian children. In re J.J.C., 302 S.W.3d at 902; In re R.R., Jr., 294 S.W.3d at 227. But
if the trial court determined that the children were Indian children, the courts of appeals would
reverse the termination order and remand for a new trial. In re J.J.C., 302 S.W.3d at 902; In re
R.R., Jr., 294 S.W.3d at 227.
We are unaware of any Texas cases involving the termination of parental rights under the
ICWA where the Indian child‟s tribe received actual notice of the proceedings, but did not receive
the notice required by Section 1912(a).
ii. The BIA Guidelines and Other Jurisdictions
After Congress passed the ICWA, the Bureau of Indian Affairs created guidelines for state
courts to use in Indian child custody proceedings to assist with the interpretation of the ICWA.
See BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS GUIDELINES FOR STATE COURTS; INDIAN CHILD CUSTODY
PROCEEDINGS, 44 FED. REG. 67,584 (Nov. 26, 1979). The Guidelines state that notice is necessary
and that certain information in the notice is required “so the persons who receive notice will be
able to exercise their rights in a timely manner.” Id., 44 FED. REG. 67,594. But the Guidelines do
not address whether the policy interests of the ICWA can be realized upon a tribe‟s actual notice
of, and involvement in, a proceeding without having received the notice specified in Section
1912(a). See generally id.
Courts from other jurisdictions have refused to invalidate termination orders for failure to
satisfy Section 1912(a)‟s requirements when the interested tribe had actual notice of the
proceedings. See In re T.M., 628 N.W.2d 570, 575 (Mich. 2001), overruled on other grounds by
In re Morris, 815 N.W.2d 62 (Mich. 2012); In re D.M., 685 N.W.2d 768, 771 (S.D. 2004); Matter
of Welfare of M.S.S., 936 P.2d 36, 40, review denied, 943 P.2d 663 (1997), cert. denied sub nom.,
Sather v. Wash., 523 U.S. 1098, 118 S. Ct. 1564, 140 L. Ed. 2d 798 (1998) (“Failure to provide
5
the required notice mandates remand unless the tribe has participated in the proceedings or
expressly indicated that it has no interest in the proceedings.”).
Most recently, the Supreme Court of Nevada determined that an order of termination could
not be invalidated for failing to provide the notice required by Section 1912(a) of the ICWA
because the parent and tribe had actual notice of the termination proceedings. See In re Parental
Rights as to S.M.M.D., 272 P.3d 126, 134 (Nev. 2012). Specifically, the court stated that “[w]hen
actual notice of an action has been given irregularly in the content of the notice or the manner in
which it was given does not render the notice inadequate.” Id. (quoting RESTATEMENT (SECOND)
OF JUDGMENT § 3 (1982)). We agree.
Conclusion
In this case, Cherokee Nation had actual notice of the proceedings, intervened, and
participated throughout the pendency of the case. There is no evidence that the failure to strictly
comply with Section 1912(a)‟s notice requirements negatively affected Cherokee Nation‟s interest
in K.S. and in retaining K.S. in its society. See Holyfield, 490 U.S. at 37, 109 S. Ct. at 1602; see
also In re Termination of Parental Rights to Arianna R.G., 657 N.W.2d 363, 368 (Wisc. 2003)
(“One of the purposes of the notice requirement is to enable an Indian tribe to participate. . . .”).
Therefore, the trial court‟s order need not be invalidated due to the Department‟s failure to comply
with Section 1912(a). Accordingly, we overrule D.S.‟s first issue.
PREEMPTION
In her second issue, D.S. contends that the trial court erred by making findings under the
family code because it is impossible to simultaneously comply with the family code and the
ICWA. As a result, D.S. contends that the ICWA preempts the family code. The Department
contends that termination grounds under Section 161.001 of the family code are not mutually
exclusive, and thus, are not preempted by the ICWA.
Applicable Law
Under the Supremacy Clause of Article VI of the United States Constitution, Congress has
the power to preempt state law. R.R. Comm’n of Tex. v. Lone Star Gas Co., 844 S.W.2d 679, 690
(Tex. 1992) (citations omitted). State action may be preempted by express language in a
congressional enactment, by implication from the depth and breadth of a congressional scheme
that occupies the legislative field, or by implication because of a conflict with a congressional
enactment. Lorillard Tobacco Co. v. Reilly, 533 U.S. 525, 541, 121 S. Ct. 2404, 2414, 150 L. Ed.
6
2d 532 (2001). When Congress legislates in a field traditionally occupied by the states, such as
family law, there is a presumption against preemption. Egelhoff v. Egelhoff ex rel. Breiner, 532
U.S. 141, 151, 121 S. Ct. 1322, 1330, 149 L. Ed. 2d 264 (2001); see also Lone Star Gas Co., 844
S.W.2d at 691.
We read state law provisions in harmony with federal law unless the state law provisions
stand as an obstacle to the accomplishment and execution of congressional objectives, i.e., the
ICWA. See id. (citing Northwest Cent. Pipeline Corp. v. State Corp. Comm’n of Kan., 489 U.S.
493, 509, 109 S. Ct. 1262, 1273, 103 L. Ed. 2d 509 (1989)); see also Caller-Times Publ’g Co.,
Inc. v. Triad Commc’n, Inc., 826 S.W.2d 576, 581 (Tex. 1992) (“[W]e seek to harmonize our
interpretation with federal law to the extent it is consistent with the purpose of the Texas Antitrust
Act. . . .”). In other words, “when the text of a pre[]emption clause is susceptible of more than one
plausible reading, courts ordinarily „accept the reading that disfavors pre[]emption.‟” Altria
Group, Inc. v. Good, 555 U.S. 70, 77, 129 S. Ct. 538, 543, 172 L. Ed. 2d 398 (2008) (citations
omitted).
Discussion
When Congress passed the ICWA, it recognized a special relationship between the United
States and Indian tribes and their members, and assumed “responsibility for the protection and
preservation of Indian tribes and their resources.” See 25 U.S.C.A. § 1901(2). As we have
previously stated, the ICWA establishes the “minimum Federal standards” for the removal and
placement of Indian children. 25 U.S.C.A. § 1902. Additionally, Section 1921 provides that state
law, rather than federal law, shall be applied if it “provides a higher standard of protection” to the
rights of the parent or Indian child custodian. See 25 U.S.C.A. § 1921.
Congress found that the states have often failed to recognize the essential tribal relations of
Indian people and the cultural and social standards prevailing in Indian communities and families.
See 25 U.S.C.A. § 1901(5). Nevertheless, it did not expressly state that by enacting the ICWA it
was preempting state law concerning child custody proceedings or that it intended for the ICWA to
occupy the area of child custody proceedings completely. See In re J.J.C., 302 SW.3d at 899.
Accordingly, we must presume that Congress did not intend to preempt the Texas Family Code
when it enacted the ICWA. See Egelhoff, 532 U.S. at 151, 121 S. Ct. at 1330; Lone Star Gas Co.,
844 S.W.2d at 691. And in addressing the preemption issue, we compare the family code
provisions relating to the termination of the parent-child relationship with the pertinent ICWA
provisions to determine whether the family code serves as an obstacle to the accomplishment and
7
execution of the objectives Congress sought to accomplish. See Egelhoff, 532 U.S. at 151, 121 S.
Ct. at 1330; Lone Star Gas Co., 844 S.W.2d at 691.
The ICWA and the Texas Family Code address similar interests when a child is removed
from his or her home because they both seek to protect the best interests of the child and to
preserve family stability. See 25 U.S.C.A. § 1902; TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. §§ 263.3026(b), 263.307
(West 2014); see, e.g., In re D.S.P., 480 N.W.2d 234, 238 (Wisc. 1992). The ICWA seeks to
achieve this goal by requiring “active efforts” to prevent the breakup of the Indian family and
proof beyond a reasonable doubt that “the continued custody of the child by the parent or Indian
custodian is likely to result in serious emotional or physical damage to the child.” See 25 U.S.C.A.
§ 1912(d), (f). The family code seeks to achieve this goal by requiring “reasonable efforts” to
make it possible to return the child to the home and requiring clear and convincing evidence that
(1) the parent has engaged in conduct described in Section 161.001(1) of the family code and that
(2) termination of the parent-child relationship is in the child‟s best interest. See TEX. FAM. CODE
ANN. §§ 161.001, 262.001(b) (West 2014); see also id. § 263.307(b) (listing best interest factors).8
Our research has revealed that several courts apply state termination grounds concurrently
with termination grounds under the ICWA. See Marcia V. v. State, 201 P.3d 496, 502 (Ala.
8
D.S.‟s parental rights were terminated under the following subsections of Texas Family Code Section
161.001, which authorizes the trial court to order termination of the parent-child relationship if it has found by clear
and convincing evidence that the parent has
(1)(D) knowingly placed or knowingly allowed the child to remain in conditions
or surroundings which endanger the physical or emotional well[]being of the child;
(1)(E) engaged in conduct or knowingly placed the child with persons who
engaged in conduct which endangers the physical or emotional well[]being of the
child;
(1)(O) failed to comply with the provisions of a court order that specifically
established the actions necessary for the parent to obtain the return of the child
who has been in the permanent or temporary managing conservatorship of the
Department of Family and Protective Services for not less than nine months as a
result of the child‟s removal from the parent under Chapter 262 for the abuse or
neglect of the child
...
[and]
(2) that termination is in the best interest of the child.
See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 161.001 (West 2014).
8
2009); Valerie M. v. Ariz. Dep’t Econ. Sec., 198 P.3d 1203, 1207 (Ariz. 2009) (en banc); In re
Denice F., 658 A.2d 1070, 1072 (Me. 1995); In re N.J., 221 P.3d 1255, 1260-61 (Nev. 2009); In
re D.S.P., 480 N.W.2d at 238. We are aware of only one case in which the court found that
application of state law afforded less protection to parents or custodians of Indian children. See
People ex rel. J.S.B., Jr., 691 N.W.2d 611, 617 (S.D. 2005). In that case, state law recognized
certain “aggravated circumstances” under which no reasonable efforts aimed at preventing the
breakup of families were necessary. Id. The court concluded that even though state law excused
the use of reasonable efforts for reunification, active efforts were still required in order for an order
of termination to be valid under the ICWA. See id. at 616-20.
Generally, the concurrent application of the family code to proceedings involving Indian
children provides additional protection to parents of Indian children because it requires the party
seeking termination to prove state and federal grounds before the parent-child relationship may be
terminated. See 25 U.S.C.A. § 1921; see also In re D.S.P., 480 N.W.2d at 238. But when
aggravated circumstances exist and reasonable efforts for reunification are not required by the
family code, the ICWA requirements must still be satisfied because they provide a higher degree
of protection than state law. See 25 U.S.C.A. §§ 1914, 1921; TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 262.2015
(West 2014).9
D.S. argues that it is impossible to comply with both statutes because the family code‟s
best interest requirement is based on an “Anglo standard” while the ICWA is concerned with the
“best interests of Indian children.” To support her argument, she directs us to In re W.D.H., 43
S.W.3d 30 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2001, pet. denied).
In In re W.D.H., a father of an Indian child challenged the termination of his parental
rights because the trial court did not make a finding under Section 1912(f). See id. at 33. The trial
court terminated the father‟s parental rights by applying the beyond a reasonable doubt standard to
the findings under Section 161.001 of the family code. Id. at 35. The court of appeals held that it
was error to terminate the father‟s parental rights in the absence of a finding under Section 1912(f),
9
Section 262.2015 of the Texas Family Code provides that the requirement to make reasonable efforts to
return the child to a parent may be waived upon a finding of aggravated circumstances. See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN.
§ 262.2015 (West 2014). As noted in J.S.B., Jr., the ICWA provides no exception to its mandate requiring “active
efforts” to prevent the breakup of the Indian family. See People ex rel. J.S.B., Jr., 691 N.W.2d 611, 617 (S.D. 2005).
Thus, an order for termination is subject to invalidation if the state fails to make active efforts as required under
Section 1912(d) even if the facts show aggravated circumstances under the family code. See 25 U.S.C.A. § 1914.
9
and further stated that findings under the family code were improper because the family code
conflicts with the ICWA. Id. The court reasoned that
[t]he requirement under the Family Code that termination of the parent‟s rights
must be in the best interest of the child is based on the “Anglo” standard for
determining the best interest of the child. . . . When state courts make a
determination regarding the best interest of the child, “they obviously consider the
factors from their own perspective, that is, an Anglo-American point of view.” . . .
Therefore, we conclude that it is not possible to comply with both the two[]prong
test of the Family Code, which requires a determination of the best interest of the
child under the “Anglo” standard, and the ICWA, which views the best interest of
the Indian child in the context of maintaining the child‟s relationship with the
Indian Tribe, culture, and family.
Id. at 37.
Based upon our reading of the ICWA and sections 161.001 and 262.001 of the family code,
we conclude that the family code does not serve as an obstacle to the realization of the ICWA‟s
purpose. Therefore, we disagree that the family code cannot be read in harmony with the ICWA.10
The family code is not preempted each time an Indian child is involved in a child custody
proceeding in Texas, namely a suit involving the termination of the parent-child relationship. See,
e.g., In re Denice F., 658 A.2d at 1072 (“The state grounds for termination of parental rights,
unaffected by the ICWA, provide a supplemental degree of protection to parents facing a petition
for termination of parental rights.”); In re D.S.P., 480 N.W.2d at 238; see also In re N.J., 221
P.3d at 1260-61; Marcia V., 201 P.3d at 502. Thus, when the ICWA applies, both the ICWA and
the Texas Family Code grounds for termination must be satisfied. See 25 U.S.C.A. § 1921. It was
not error for the trial court to make findings under both the ICWA and the family code.
Accordingly, we overrule D.S.‟s second issue.
TRIAL BY CONSENT
In her third issue, D.S. contends that the trial court erred in terminating her parental rights
on ICWA grounds because they were not alleged in the Department‟s pleadings or tried by
consent.
10
In his concurrence, Justice Wittig states that the two statutes should be construed in harmony. See In re
W.D.H., 43 S.W.3d 30, 40 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2001, pet. denied) (Wittig, J., concurring).
10
Standard of Review and Applicable Law
Generally, a trial court‟s judgment must conform to the pleadings. See TEX. R. CIV. P. 301.
But unpleaded claims or defenses that are tried by express or implied consent of the parties are
treated as if they had been raised by the pleadings. Roark v. Stallworth Oil & Gas, Inc., 813
S.W.2d 492, 495 (Tex. 1991).
To determine whether an issue was tried by consent, we examine the record for “trial of the
issue” as opposed to “evidence of the issue.” In re S.A.A., 279 S.W.3d 853, 856 (Tex. App.—
Dallas 2009, no pet.); see also Hartford Fire Ins. Co. v. C. Springs 300, Ltd., 287 S.W.3d 771,
780 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2009, pet. denied). A party‟s unpleaded issue may be
deemed tried by consent when evidence on the issue is developed under circumstances indicating
that both parties understood what the issue was in the case, and the other party failed to make an
appropriate complaint. Id. A party who allows an issue to be tried by consent and fails to raise the
lack of a pleading before submission of the case cannot later raise the pleading deficiency for the
first time on appeal. Id.
The trial court has broad discretion in determining whether an unpleaded issue was tried by
consent. Case Corp. v. Hi-Class Bus. Sys. of Am., Inc., 184 S.W.3d 760, 771 (Tex. App.—Dallas
2005, pet. denied). An abuse of discretion occurs if the trial court acts in an arbitrary or
unreasonable manner without reference to any guiding rules or principles. Id. at 772.
Discussion
The Department‟s first amended petition seeking termination of D.S.‟s parental rights did
not allege Section 1912(f) of the ICWA as a ground for termination. Nevertheless, testimony
relating to the ICWA‟s requirements for termination was elicited by both the Department‟s and
D.S.‟s attorneys at trial.
The Cherokee Nation representative, Kristi Crawford, provided expert testimony relating to
the ICWA‟s requirements for termination of D.S.‟s parental rights. She testified that her role as a
representative of Cherokee Nation was to ensure ICWA compliance.
Crawford testified as an expert witness with respect to the ICWA during the Department‟s
direct examination, and was cross-examined by D.S.‟s attorney on the requirements for
termination of parental rights under the ICWA. Both the Department‟s and D.S.‟s proposed
charges included the following instruction:
11
Additionally, you must find beyond a reasonable doubt that consistent with the
Indian Child Welfare Act 25 U.S. § 1912, that active efforts have been made to
provide remedial services and rehabilitative programs designed to prevent the
breakup of the Indian family, that these efforts have proved unsuccessful and that
the continued custody of the child by the parent is likely to result in serious
emotional or physical damage to the child.
Conclusion
By failing to object to the lack of pleading before the submission of the charge, D.S. failed
to preserve this issue for appeal. See Hartford, 287 S.W.3d at 780. Moreover, the record shows
trial by consent because D.S. included the ICWA grounds in her proposed charge. See In re
S.A.A., 279 S.W.3d at 856; Hartford, 287 S.W.3d at 780. The trial court did not abuse its
discretion by terminating D.S.‟s parental rights on grounds not raised in the Department‟s written
pleadings. See Case Corp., 184 S.W.3d at 771. Accordingly, we overrule D.S.‟s third issue.
BROAD FORM SUBMISSION
In her fourth issue, D.S. contends that the trial court erred by permitting “a broad-form
submission jury charge . . . rather than multiple alternative submissions containing state grounds
for termination and grounds for termination under the ICWA.”
We review challenges to the jury charge under an abuse of discretion standard. Tex. Dep’t
of Human Servs. v. E.B., 802 S.W.2d 647, 649 (Tex. 1990). The trial court abuses its discretion
only when it acts without reference to any guiding principles. Id. “In all jury cases the court shall,
whenever feasible, submit the cause upon broad-form questions.” TEX. R. CIV. P. 277. Absent
extraordinary circumstances, the court must submit broad form questions. E.B., 802 S.W.2d at
649.
Discussion
At trial, D.S.‟s attorney argued that the broad form question in the charge was not sufficient
due to the “special provisions of the Indian Child Welfare Act” and argued that separate findings
on the ICWA grounds were necessary. The question to which D.S. objected stated as follows:
Should the parent-child relationship between [D.S.] and the child, [K.S.], be
terminated?
Answer “Yes” or “No” as to each child:
[K.S.]……………………….. □ Yes □ No
12
D.S. contends that it was not feasible to submit this question because the ICWA requires a
higher burden of proof than the family code.11 But once the jury received the instructions on the
law that applied to the grounds for termination under the family code and the ICWA, the
controlling question under both statutes remained the same: “Should the parent-child relationship
between [D.S.] and the child, [K.S.] be terminated? See E.B., 802 S.W.2d at 649.12
The court‟s charge included the statutory language for termination of parental rights under
the family code and the ICWA, and imposed the beyond a reasonable doubt standard on both state
and federal grounds. The trial court did not abuse its discretion in submitting the issue to the jury
in broad form. See id. Accordingly, we overrule D.S.‟s fourth issue.
11
D.S. did not object to the trial court‟s requirement of proof “beyond a reasonable doubt” to terminate D.S.‟s
parental rights under the family code.
12
The court‟s charge included the following instructions:
For the parent-child relationship in this case to be terminated with respect to
[D.S.], the mother of the child, [K.S.], the following sections A, B and C must be
proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
A. It must be proven by beyond a reasonable doubt that at least one of the
following events has occurred:
1. [D.S.] has knowingly placed or knowingly allowed the child to remain in
conditions or surroundings which endanger the physical or emotional
well[]being of the child; or
2. [D.S.] has engaged in conduct or knowingly placed the child with persons
who engaged in conduct which endangers the physical or emotional
well[]being of the child; or
3. [D.S.] has failed to comply with the provisions of a court order that
specifically established the actions necessary for the mother to obtain the
return of the child who has been in the permanent or temporary managing
conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services for
not less than nine months as a result of the child‟s removal from the parent
under Chapter 262 for the abuse or neglect of the child;
B. Additionally, you must find beyond a reasonable doubt that consistent with
the Indian Child Welfare Act 25 U.S. § 1912, that active efforts have been
made to provide remedial services and rehabilitative programs designed to
prevent the breakup of the Indian family, that these efforts have proved
unsuccessful and that the continued custody of the child by the parent is likely
to result in serious emotional or physical damage to the child.
The charge further instructed the jury that it must be proved beyond a reasonable doubt that termination of D.S.‟s
parental rights is in the child‟s best interest and listed a number of factors for consideration.
13
CHILD’S PLACEMENT
In her fifth issue, D.S. contends that the trial court erred by failing to enforce Section 1915
regarding the placement of children. Section 1915 provides a list of placement preferences for
Indian children in foster care or preadoptive placement. 25 U.S.C.A. § 1915. However, failure to
comply with the placement preferences specified in Section 1915 is not a ground for invalidating a
termination order. See 25 U.S.C.A. § 1914 (order may be invalidated for violating any provision
of sections 1911, 1912, and 1913). Accordingly, we overrule D.S.‟s fifth issue.
SUFFICIENCY OF THE EVIDENCE
In her sixth and seventh issues, D.S. challenges the sufficiency of the evidence supporting
the termination of her parental rights under Texas Family Code Section 161.001, subsections
(1)(D), (1)(E), and (1)(O) and Section 1912, subsection (d) and (f) of the ICWA.13 The family
code and the ICWA require different burdens of proof to terminate the parent-child relationship.
Consequently, different standards of review apply to each.14
Termination Under the Family Code
The family code permits the termination of parental rights if (1) the parent has engaged in
any one of the acts or omissions itemized in Section 161.001(1) of the family code, and (2)
termination is in the best interest of the child. See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 161.001; In re C.L.C.,
119 S.W.3d 382, 390 (Tex. App.—Tyler 2003, no pet.). Both elements must be proved by “clear
and convincing evidence,” and proof of one element does not alleviate the petitioner‟s burden of
proving the other. TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 161.001; In re C.L.C., 119 S.W.3d at 390.15
There is a strong presumption that the best interest of the child is served by preserving the
parent-child relationship, and the burden of proof rests upon the party seeking to deprive the parent
of his or her parental rights. See Wiley v. Spratlan, 543 S.W.2d 349, 352 (Tex. 1976); In re
C.L.C., 119 S.W.3d at 390-91.
13
D.S. does not challenge the sufficiency of the evidence supporting the finding that termination of her
parental rights is in the best interest of the child.
14
A higher burden of proof requires a higher standard of appellate review. See City of Keller v. Wilson, 168
S.W.3d 802, 817 (Tex. 2005); see also In re N.J., 221 P.3d 1255, 1260 (Nev. 2009) (concluding that the state standard
applies to state law findings and the ICWA standard applies to federal law findings).
15
“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 2014).
14
Although the court‟s charge imposed the beyond a reasonable doubt burden on the state
grounds for termination, our review of the sufficiency of the evidence applies the state burden of
proof—clear and convincing evidence—to termination of parental rights under the family code.
See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 161.001(1).
Standard of Review
When the burden of proof is clear and convincing evidence, we conduct a legal sufficiency
review by looking at all of 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.F.C., 96 S.W.3d 256, 266 (Tex. 2002). We must assume that the fact finder resolved
disputed facts in favor of its finding if a reasonable fact finder could do so. Id. Thus, it follows
that the reviewing court should disregard all evidence that a reasonable fact finder could have
disbelieved or found to have been incredible, but this does not mean that the reviewing court must
disregard all evidence that does not support the finding. Id. Disregarding undisputed facts that do
not support the finding could skew the analysis of whether there is clear and convincing evidence.
Id. If, after conducting our legal sufficiency review, we determine that no reasonable fact finder
could form a firm belief or conviction that the matter which must be proven is true, then we will
conclude that the evidence is legally insufficient. Id.
In a factual sufficiency review, we must give due consideration to evidence that the fact
finder could reasonably have found to be clear and convincing. Id. Our inquiry is whether the
evidence is such that a fact finder could reasonably form a firm belief or conviction about the truth
of the Department‟s allegations. Id. We consider whether the disputed evidence is such that a
reasonable fact finder could not have resolved that disputed evidence in favor of its finding. Id.
If, when viewed in light of the entire record, the disputed evidence is so significant that a fact
finder could not have reasonably formed a firm belief or conviction, then the evidence is factually
insufficient. Id. In finding evidence factually insufficient, the appellate court should detail why it
has concluded that a reasonable fact finder could not have credited disputed evidence in favor of
its finding. Id. at 267.
The standard of review for legal and factual sufficiency challenges maintains a deferential
standard for the fact finder‟s role, which means the trier of fact is the exclusive judge of the
credibility of the witnesses and weight to be given their testimony. In re C.H., 89 S.W.3d 17, 26-
27 (Tex. 2002); Nordstrom v. Nordstrom, 965 S.W.2d 575, 580 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.]
15
1997, pet. denied). Thus, our review must not be so rigorous that the only fact findings that could
withstand review are those established beyond a reasonable doubt. In re C.H. 89 S.W.3d. at 26.
Endangering Conduct
A court may order termination of the parent-child relationship if the court finds by clear
and convincing evidence that the parent has engaged in conduct or knowingly placed the child
with persons who engaged in conduct that endangers the physical or emotional well being of the
child. See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 161.001(1)(E).
“Endanger” means more than a threat of metaphysical injury or the possible ill effects of a
less-than-ideal family environment. Tex. Dep’t of Human Servs. v. Boyd, 727 S.W.2d 531, 533
(Tex. 1987). It is not necessary that a parent‟s conduct be directed at the child or that a child
actually suffers injury in order for endangerment to exist. Id. It is sufficient that the child‟s well
being be jeopardized or exposed to loss or injury. In re J.J., 911 S.W.2d 437, 440 (Tex. App.—
Texarkana 1995, writ denied). Danger to the child need not be established as an independent
proposition and may be inferred from parental misconduct, even if the conduct is not directed at
the child and the child suffers no actual injury. Walker v. Tex. Dep’t of Family & Protective
Servs., 312 S.W.3d 608, 616 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2009, pet. denied).
A parent‟s endangering conduct is evidenced not only by the parent‟s actions, but also by
the parent‟s omission or failure to act. See Perez v. Tex. Dep’t of Protective & Regulatory Servs.,
148 S.W.3d 427, 435 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2004, no pet.). Conduct that subjects a child to a life of
uncertainty and instability endangers the physical and emotional well being of a child. In re
M.R.J.M., 280 S.W.3d 494, 503 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2009, no pet.); In re S.D., 980 S.W.2d
758, 763 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 1998, pet. denied) (“An environment which routinely subjects
a child to the probability that she will be left alone because her parents are once again jailed,
whether because of the continued violation of probationary conditions . . . or because the parents
are once again committed to a rehabilitation program, endangers both the physical and emotional
well[]being of a child.”).
Termination of parental rights under subsection (E) must be based on more than a single
act or omission; a voluntary, deliberate, and conscious course of conduct by the parent is required.
In re C.A.B., 289 S.W.3d 874, 883 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2009, no pet.). The requisite
endangerment may be found if the evidence shows a parent‟s course of conduct that has the effect
of endangering the child‟s physical or emotional well being. Id. In considering whether a relevant
course of conduct has been established, a court properly may consider evidence of conduct that
16
occurred both before and after a child‟s birth. Id. A court may also consider evidence establishing
that a parent continued to engage in endangering conduct after the child‟s removal by the
Department or after the child no longer was in the parent‟s care, thus showing the parent continued
to engage in the course of conduct in question. Id.
Termination of Parental Rights Under the ICWA
A termination order may be invalidated for the failure to comply with Section 1912. See
25 U.S.C.A. § 1914. D.S. contends that the trial court‟s order should be invalidated due to
insufficient evidence supporting the findings required by subsections (d) and (f) of Section 1912.
Burden of Proof
Subsection (f) provides that termination of parental rights requires “evidence beyond a
reasonable doubt.” 25 U.S.C.A. § 1912(f). However, subsection (d) provides that a party seeking
to terminate parental rights “shall satisfy” the court that active efforts have been made and “proved
unsuccessful” to prevent the breakup of the Indian family. See 25 U.S.C.A. § 1912(d).
The burden of proof required to “satisfy the court” that active efforts were made and
“proved unsuccessful” is not specified by the ICWA. See 25 U.S.C.A. § 1912. Texas courts have
not addressed this issue, nor is there any Supreme Court precedent addressing the burden to be
satisfied under subsection (d).
The Guidelines provide the following commentary on subsection (d)‟s failure to include a
burden of proof:
One commenter recommended that detailed procedures and criteria be established
in order to determine whether family support efforts had been adequate.
Establishing such procedures and requirements would involve the court in second-
guessing the professional judgment of social service agencies. The Act does not
contemplate such a role for the courts and they generally lack the expertise to
make such judgments.
Guidelines, 44 FED. REG. 67,601. We are aware of only one court that has addressed this
commentary from the Guidelines in determining the applicable standard of review for subsection
(d) findings. See In re G.S., 59 P.3d 1063 (Mont. 2002).
In 2002, the Supreme Court of Montana recognized a split of authority among the states
regarding the burden of proof required for compliance with Section 1912(d). Id. at 1071. This
split of authority continues today. Some states require proof beyond a reasonable doubt when the
underlying proceeding is for termination of parental rights under Section 1912(f), while others
17
require a lesser standard based on state laws either as applied to the underlying proceedings or
based upon the services provided to the parents. See id. at 1071. Ultimately, the Montana
Supreme Court determined that the underlying ICWA proceeding determined the burden of proof
required—proceedings involving foster care placement required clear and convincing evidence and
proceedings involving the termination of parental rights required evidence beyond a reasonable
doubt. Id.
We agree with the Montana Supreme Court‟s reasoning. Because the ICWA proceeding in
this case concerns the termination of parental rights, we hold that the burden of proof required
under subsections (d) and (f) is evidence “beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Standard of Review
The beyond a reasonable doubt standard has traditionally been regarded as the decisive
difference between criminal culpability and civil liability. Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 315,
99 S. Ct. 2781, 2787, 61 L. Ed. 2d 560 (1979) (citations omitted). When we review the sufficiency
of the evidence pursuant to the ICWA burden of proof requirements, we must determine whether,
after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the verdict, any rational trier of fact could
have found that the requirements of Section 1912(d) and (f) were satisfied beyond a reasonable
doubt. See id., 443 U.S. at 319, 99 S. Ct. at 2789; see also City of Keller, 168 S.W.3d at 817 (legal
sufficiency review of cases involving termination of parental rights requires the reviewing court to
consider all of the evidence, not just evidence favoring the verdict). This standard gives full play
to the responsibility of the trier of fact to fairly resolve conflicts in testimony, weigh evidence, and
draw reasonable inferences from basic facts to ultimate facts. Jackson, 443 U.S. at 319, 99 S. Ct.
at 2789.
D.S. challenges the factual sufficiency of the evidence supporting the ICWA grounds, but
Texas no longer applies a factual sufficiency review to challenges of evidence requiring proof
beyond a reasonable doubt. See Brooks v. State, 323 S.W.3d 893, 902 (Tex. Crim. App. 2010)
(holding that factual sufficiency standard is indistinguishable from the Jackson v. Virginia legal
sufficiency standard). Accordingly, we apply the Jackson v. Virginia standard in reviewing the
sufficiency of the evidence supporting termination under the ICWA.
Preventive Measures and Expert Testimony Required
When a state seeks to terminate the parental rights of an Indian child, it must prove beyond
a reasonable doubt that (1) active efforts have been made to provide remedial services and
rehabilitative programs designed to prevent the breakup of the Indian family and that these efforts
18
have proved unsuccessful, and (2) the continued custody of the child by the parent or Indian
custodian is likely to result in serious emotional or physical damage to the child. See 25 U.S.C.A.
§§ 1912(d), (f), 1914. Whether continued custody of the child by the parent or Indian custodian is
likely to result in physical or emotional damage to the child must be supported by evidence that
includes testimony from a qualified expert witness. See 25 U.S.C.A. § 1912(f).
The Evidence
The events leading to K.S.‟s removal began prior to her and D.S.‟s arrival in Athens,
Texas, on January 5, 2013.
Events Leading to Removal
On December 19, 2012, K.S. suffered a “bump and bruise” on the left side of her forehead
from being hit by a fellow toddler while playing at daycare. On December 24, 2012, D.S. took
K.S. to an Oklahoma City hospital and received medication for K.S. for vomiting and diarrhea. At
the time of trial, D.S. could not remember whether K.S. had been diagnosed with any kind of head
trauma while at the hospital on December 24, 2012.
On Christmas Day, D.S. and K.S. traveled from Oklahoma City to Las Vegas, Nevada, and
D.S. took K.S. to a Las Vegas hospital. She claimed that K.S. had “dilated pupils, [an] unsteady
gait, altered mental status[,]” and that she was concerned because K.S. had hit her head “maybe 3
[days] ago.” At trial, D.S. testified that K.S. was “tired, sluggish, [and] groggy,” and that a CAT
scan revealed “a minor closed-head injury without loss of conscious[ness].” The CAT scan was
never offered or admitted into evidence at trial. Contrary to D.S.‟s testimony, the medical records
from the Las Vegas hospital stated that
mom is trying to point out symptoms with child that are not overtly evident: she
states pupils are dilated, but they are PEERL and unremarkable, she states [K.S.] is
lethargic and glassy, and [K.S.] is alert, happy, cooperative, bouncing around bed.
She states [K.S.] cannot focus, but [K.S.] follows all commands, is smiling and
interactive in room. She states [K.S.] is not able to walk and [K.S.] is laughing
walking around room.16
D.S. testified that they stayed in Las Vegas for about four days before they returned to Oklahoma
City.
16
The medical records described K.S.‟s eyes as “[p]upils equal, round and reactive to light.”
19
On January 4, 2013, D.S. and K.S. traveled from Oklahoma City to Texas with a friend
with the intention of going to Beaumont, Texas, but ultimately did not travel beyond Gun Barrel
City, Texas. On that day, D.S. took K.S. to a hospital in Oklahoma City, but left before K.S. had
been seen by a doctor.17 Later that evening, D.S. took K.S. to a hospital in Denton, Texas,
claiming that K.S. was complaining that “her head hurts, cold/chest congestion,” and stated that
K.S. was experiencing symptoms of “night sweats,” “fatigue,” “body aches,” “rash,” “nasal
congestion (not related to allergies or sinus infection),” “chest congestion,” and “swollen
back[/]neck.” The medical records from the Denton hospital show that D.S. told the medical staff
that K.S. was “not acting normally,” but the medical records did not indicate that K.S. had, or was
suffering from, any injury or illness.
After leaving the Denton hospital, D.S. and K.S. continued their trip to Beaumont when
D.S. insisted that K.S. again needed to go to the hospital. D.S. had reported that K.S.‟s lips were
“turning blue,” that K.S. was “very lethargic,” “really struggling,” and “in trouble.” At trial, D.S.
confirmed that her friend who was driving to Beaumont told her that nothing was wrong with K.S.
D.S. disagreed, and had her friend leave her and K.S. “on the side of the road” in Gun Barrel City.
D.S. testified that she went to the police station in Gun Barrel City, who “called the ambulance”
that brought her to East Texas Medical Center in Athens, Texas.
The Department received a report alleging neglectful supervision of K.S. by D.S. on
January 5, 2013. Department investigator Amanda Jordan investigated the allegations and met
with D.S. at the hospital in Athens. Jordan testified that the medical staff “had huge concerns of
[D.S.] and her behaviors,” and described D.S.‟s conduct as “manic” and “odd.” They reported that
D.S. demanded medically unnecessary tests for K.S. and stated that D.S. would run into the room
to wake K.S. and then leave K.S. unattended.
Jordan testified that when she entered K.S.‟s hospital room, D.S.
[i]mmediately grabbed [K.S.] by the shoulders and started shaking her. And we
were like, what are you doing? And she was like look. She stopped, and she said,
“She‟s having a seizure; she‟s having a seizure.” The child was asleep in the bed.
She was not having a seizure. And she said[,] [“S]he has air pockets in her brain
and she needs help and the hospital is not doing anything.[”]
17
Initially, D.S. testified that she did not remember going to a hospital in Oklahoma City on January 4. Later,
after being shown medical records from a hospital in Oklahoma City, she confirmed that she had taken K.S. there.
20
Jordan testified that D.S. believed K.S. was having a seizure and “if she slept she was going to
die.” D.S. also suggested multiple diagnoses for K.S. including “a brain aneurysm,” “pneumonia,”
and stated that K.S. was “dying.” Jordan confirmed that K.S. had been diagnosed with “acute
sinusitis,” but testified that she was otherwise healthy. Jordan explained that D.S.‟s behavior was
concerning because she was exhibiting behavior that was “consistent with someone that may be
under the influence of some type of illegal substance.”
When Jordan asked D.S. to submit to a drug test at the hospital, D.S. refused and “started
screaming that, you know, she‟s not using drugs; this is not about her and her daughter is dying
and we needed to do something and reverted back to expressing that her daughter has pneumonia
and yelling her daughter is sick.” Jordan testified that after being at ETMC for four to five hours,
the Department decided it was in K.S.‟s best interest to be removed from D.S.‟s care due to D.S.‟s
behavior.18 When the Department informed D.S. of the removal, law enforcement was present, and
D.S. called 911 and stated that CPS “was kidnapping her child.”
Events After Removal
After K.S. was removed and placed in foster care, the Department, with D.S.‟s help,
created a service plan that was designed to help mitigate the reasons K.S. came into care and help
D.S. achieve reunification. The service plan was also tailored to accommodate D.S.‟s needs by
allowing some of her services to be completed in Oklahoma.
The service plan required D.S. to complete a parenting class, a psychological evaluation,
attend counseling, submit to random drug testing, and allow announced and unannounced visits to
her home.19 When services were required to be completed in Texas, they were usually available
along the Texas-Oklahoma border—Sherman or Gainesville—and Cherokee Nation would
transport D.S. to those services.
D.S. completed the parenting class and the psychological evaluation, and attended
counseling in Oklahoma. However, testimony by Samantha Robb, D.S.‟s caseworker, showed that
D.S. was required to complete a psychological evaluation in Texas because the Oklahoma
evaluation did not include information relating to the events leading up to K.S.‟s removal. Robb
explained that the psychological evaluation was to be used to determine whether D.S. could benefit
18
Jordan testified that hospital staff had contacted law enforcement “[d]ue to [D.S.]‟s bizarre behaviors.”
19
Testimony suggests that there were other requirements included in the service plan designed to prepare
D.S. for reunification, but neither the service plan nor the order requiring D.S. to complete the service plan were
admitted into evidence at trial.
21
from any recommendations that could help her become a better parent. Although D.S. ultimately
completed a psychological evaluation in Texas, its results and recommendations were not admitted
into evidence.
The service plan also required D.S. to submit to a substance abuse evaluation and random
drug testing. The evidence showed that D.S. had been dishonest during her substance abuse
evaluation. D.S. submitted to two hair follicle tests that showed negative results. The testimony
showed that only one had reliable results and D.S. had also refused to submit to a different drug
test despite being ordered to do so by the court.
D.S. was also ordered to release her medical records, but she never did. However, D.S.
testified that she was seeking Social Security disability and was in the process of appealing a
denial of benefits. She testified that she was entitled to receive disability because she suffered
from “social anxiety and manic depression.” D.S. stated that she was “manic” after K.S. was taken
from her. But she later testified, “I think I just put that on there. I was never diagnosed with
manic depression. I was just diagnosed with depression and generalized anxiety.”
D.S. was unable to maintain stable employment throughout the pendency of the case. She
was terminated at one fast food restaurant after she was arrested for threatening a coworker. D.S.
quit her job at another fast food restaurant because “they cut my hours down.” By the time of trial,
D.S. had been working for a month cleaning a male friend‟s house and helping him with his shop
at a flea market. D.S. testified that she gets paid $300 each week and that she receives government
assistance in the form of food stamps and a “utility check for my apartment.”
The evidence showed that D.S. had lived in the same apartment for four years, and was
forty dollars delinquent on the rent. Crawford visited D.S.‟s apartment several times, and
described it as “not really all that safe” because of the neighborhood. Although D.S. had
maintained that she lived alone, Crawford testified that on the two occasions she went inside
D.S.‟s apartment, people who had criminal histories were sleeping there. On one occasion,
Crawford was not permitted to go into the room where D.S.‟s mother and stepfather allegedly were
sleeping. The other time involved a scheduled home visit when D.S.‟s boyfriend, “Reggie,” was
found sleeping in D.S.‟s bedroom. D.S. refused to disclose Reggie‟s last name, but Crawford
ultimately discovered that Reggie had criminal history involving violence and drug-related
offenses. Crawford testified that she told D.S.
22
she really needed to be more careful about who she allowed in her home and,
especially, if it was gang-related—somebody who was involved in gang activity,
that it may not be her that he may harm but somebody may be coming to her home
trying to harm him.
Crawford further testified that D.S. did not seem to understand why it was inappropriate to
have someone like Reggie in her home. D.S. was questioned at trial about her refusal to disclose
Reggie‟s last name, and she testified that she did not give Reggie‟s last name because “I didn‟t
know the information.” D.S. was then asked whether it was unusual for her to have an
unidentified man in her bed that she has slept with and not known “who he is,” to which she
responded, “No.”
D.S.’s Criminal Conduct
In 2007, D.S. was charged with assault with a deadly weapon, was incarcerated for
eighteen months as a juvenile, and then placed on probation. At the time of trial, D.S. was still on
probation for that case, and an application to revoke her probation was pending.
In 2008, D.S. was arrested for driving under the influence with her two oldest children in
the vehicle. D.S. was incarcerated for eighteen months. Ultimately, D.S.‟s parental rights to her
two oldest children were terminated.20 Despite having her parental rights terminated and being
arrested for driving under the influence, D.S. continued to engage in criminal activity by smoking
marijuana when K.S. was two or three months old. Nevertheless, D.S. maintained that when she
smoked marijuana, K.S. was with D.S.‟s mother.
In June 2013 (while this case was pending), D.S. was arrested for threatening to commit an
act of violence, and spent three days in jail before she was released on bond. At the time of trial,
the charge was still pending, and D.S. had an active warrant for her arrest. 21 D.S. testified that if
she could not do a “walk through” upon being arrested, she would have to “sit in [jail] until [she]
see[s] the judge.” When asked about where K.S. would go if she was in jail, D.S. responded, “I
guess she‟s going to remain at the foster home until I can get out.” After being told that K.S.
would not be in foster care if her parental rights were not terminated, K.S. testified that K.S. could
20
The father of D.S.‟s two oldest children is currently serving a prison sentence for assault with a deadly
weapon and rape of a young child.
21
It is unclear whether the warrant for D.S.‟s arrest was for the application to revoke her felony probation, for
the threatening charge, or both.
23
stay with her mother, who also had active warrants. D.S. testified that if her mother was arrested
while taking care of K.S., D.S.‟s “Aunt Roxie” who moved to Tulsa could take care of K.S.
D.S.’s Visits
When D.S. had visits with K.S., Cherokee Nation would transport D.S. and the Department
would transport K.S. to a location halfway between their respective places of residences.22 The
visitation arrangements provided transportation for D.S. for only one of the two visits each month.
Crawford testified this arrangement was made because D.S. “needed to be responsible for finding
transportation and getting herself to Gainesville [for] the other visit [each] month.” Crawford
testified that
it was important for [D.S.] to show some responsibility and show some effort on
her part instead of CPS doing everything for her and the tribe doing everything for
her, that she take some initiative and be motivated enough to get transportation for
two and a half hours to visit her child.
The only visits that D.S. attended were the ones in which she received transportation from
Cherokee Nation. D.S. did not attend any visits for the month of March, but the evidence showed
that D.S. had phone visitation with K.S. as well.
D.S. generally had good visits with K.S., but testimony showed that there were times D.S.
engaged in conduct reminiscent of her behavior that led to K.S.‟s removal. D.S. originally had
phone visits with K.S. twice each week, but the phone visits were reduced to once a week because
D.S. made allegations of abuse in the foster home. Robb testified that during phone conversations,
D.S. would ask K.S. several leading questions like, “Are you hurt?” and “What‟s wrong?” K.S.
would sometimes say “owie,” which resulted in D.S.‟s automatic assumption that K.S. was being
hurt. Robb testified that she supervised the phone visits and “I assured D.S. [that] K.S. had
nothing wrong with her, and she continued and continued to ask her what was wrong, what had
happened; and I had to continue to tell her nothing happened.” There were a few visits where D.S.
would examine K.S.‟s body, asking if K.S. was hurt and would “lift her shirt up to check to see if
there were any marks or bruises on K.S. in a public setting [during] a visit.” During the one visit
in which K.S. actually had a mark under her eye and a “cracked” lip, D.S. did not display any
22
When asked whether K.S. could have been transferred to a foster home in Oklahoma, Crawford testified
that Cherokee Nation did not have any ICWA compliant homes available and would not agree to transferring K.S.
from one noncompliant ICWA home to another noncompliant ICWA home in Oklahoma.
24
reaction to K.S.‟s injury. Later, D.S. called in three reports of abuse on the foster home, each of
which were “ruled out.”
Remedial Services, Preventive Measures, and Expert Testimony
When D.S. was incarcerated in the juvenile facility from 2008 to 2010, she worked services
and received counseling. D.S. testified that she participated in an aggression replacement training
group, Girl Scouts, AA (Alcoholics Anonymous), church, and cooking and parenting classes.
According to D.S., she benefitted from participating in each of these programs.
In 2012, D.S. participated in a parenting class again, after K.S. had been temporarily placed
in foster care by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS). The evidence showed that
DHS ultimately concluded that K.S.‟s placement in foster care was not due to K.S.‟s caregiving.
But the evidence also showed that in June 2012, D.S. requested that a sexual assault exam be
conducted on K.S. D.S. testified that she requested the exam because
I was incarcerated for six months for DUI and my mother was taking care of her as
well as my sister. And when I got back, I didn‟t know if she had been sexually
molested. I wanted her to be checked out.
After the doctor told her what the exam entailed, D.S. said that she no longer wanted the exam to
be conducted and maintained that the doctor did not do the exam (despite the Department‟s
questions alluding to medical records showing the contrary). However, D.S. testified that K.S.‟s
doctor called DHS and D.S. met with a caseworker.
Despite having been provided services by the juvenile facility, the Oklahoma DHS, and the
Department, D.S. has continued to make decisions and engage in conduct that led to the removal
of K.S., the loss of employment, and the commission of at least one new criminal offense.
Although D.S. has been attending counseling, she continues to deny any wrongdoing. This fact,
when viewed in light of the evidence showing that D.S. assumed that K.S. was hurt during her
visits and the fact that D.S. testified that the medical records of the hospitals where she took K.S.
were “lying,” supports the inference that the services offered to D.S., not only by the Department,
but also the juvenile facility and Oklahoma DHS, proved unsuccessful.23
The Cherokee Nation representative, Kristi Crawford, was qualified as an expert witness
and testified that she believed the Department engaged in active efforts to reunify D.S. with K.S.
23
Only once did D.S. acknowledge that her conduct at the hospital was inappropriate: “I wouldn‟t say I was
completely acting appropriate, no.”
25
Despite D.S.‟s alleged compliance with the Department‟s service plan, Crawford did not believe
D.S. has changed since her parental rights to her two oldest children were terminated. Crawford
explained that D.S.‟s criminal history and current criminal charges make her future look
“uncertain.” Additionally, Crawford noted D.S.‟s continued association with individuals with
criminal history, failure to maintain employment, and failure to correct the conditions that led to
K.S.‟s removal supported her opinion that D.S.‟s continued custody of K.S. could result in
physical or emotional harm to K.S.
Crawford acknowledged that she had not seen any emotional or physical damage to K.S. at
the hands of D.S. Nevertheless, she maintained that D.S. failed to make the necessary changes to
have K.S. returned home, and that it was in K.S.‟s best interest for D.S.‟s parental rights to be
terminated.
Samantha Robb and Diane Dunaway, a CASA Volunteer, echoed Crawford‟s concerns and
noted that D.S. continues to be in denial about the reasons K.S. came into Department care. Robb
testified that D.S.‟s continued belief that there was something seriously wrong with K.S. raises
serious concerns about K.S.‟s risk of harm if returned to D.S. Robb believed that if she was
returned to D.S., K.S. would be subjected to a substantial risk of harm. Dunaway shared the same
concern that K.S. would be subjected to serious harm or emotional abuse by D.S. if returned.
Conclusion
Undisputed evidenced showed that D.S. had taken K.S. to several hospitals within a two
week period, that D.S. has had her parental rights to two other children terminated, and has a
history of criminal convictions, arrests, and pending charges. After viewing the evidence in the
light most favorable to the finding, we conclude that the evidence illustrates a course of conduct
that endangers K.S.‟s physical and emotional well being. See In re S.D., 980 S.W.2d at 763. A
reasonable fact finder could form a firm belief or conviction that D.S. engaged in conduct or
knowingly placed K.S. with persons who engaged in conduct that endangered the physical or
emotional well being of K.S. See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 161.001(1)(E); In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d
at 266. After reviewing the entire record and considering the disputed evidence, we hold that a
fact finder could reasonably have formed a firm belief or conviction about the truth of the
Department‟s allegations under Section 161.001(1)(E) of the family code. See TEX. FAM. CODE
ANN. § 161.001(1)(E); In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d at 266.
Having viewed the evidence in the light most favorable to the verdict, we conclude that the
Department proved beyond a reasonable doubt that (1) active efforts have been made to provide
26
remedial services and rehabilitative programs designed to prevent the breakup of the Indian family
and that these efforts have proved unsuccessful, (2) that the continued custody of K.S. by D.S. is
likely to result in serious emotional or physical damage to K.S., and that (3) the finding is
supported by testimony from an expert witness. See 25 U.S.C.A. §§ 1912(d), (f); Jackson, 443
U.S. at 319, 99 S. Ct. at 2789.
Having found the evidence sufficient to support termination of parental rights under
Section 161.001(1)(E) of the family code and Section 1912, subsections (d) and (f) of the ICWA,
we overrule D.S.‟s sixth and seventh issues.24
DISPOSITION
Having overruled each of D.S.‟s seven issues, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
JAMES T. WORTHEN
Chief Justice
Opinion delivered August 21, 2014.
Panel consisted of Worthen, C.J., Griffith, J., and Hoyle, J.
(PUBLISH)
24
Because the evidence is legally and factually sufficient to terminate D.S.‟s parental rights under subsection
(1)(E), we need not address D.S.‟s challenges to the sufficiency of the evidence relating to subsections (1)(D) and
(1)(O) of the family code. See TEX. R. APP. 47.1; In re C.T., No. 12-11-00384-CV, 2012 WL 4502427, at *7 (Tex.
App.—Tyler Sept. 28, 2012, pet. denied) (mem. op.) (when evidence is sufficient to support termination under one
ground, appellate court need not address sufficiency challenges to other grounds for termination in Section
161.001(1)).
27
COURT OF APPEALS
TWELFTH COURT OF APPEALS DISTRICT OF TEXAS
JUDGMENT
AUGUST 21, 2014
NO. 12-14-00061-CV
IN THE INTEREST OF K. S., A CHILD
Appeal from the 392nd District Court
of Henderson County, Texas (Tr.Ct.No. 2013B-0015)
THIS CAUSE came to be heard on the appellate record and briefs filed
herein, and the same being considered, it is the opinion of this court that there was no error in the
judgment.
It is therefore ORDERED, ADJUDGED and DECREED that the judgment
of the court below be in all things affirmed, and that this decision be certified to the court
below for observance.
James T. Worthen, Chief Justice.
Panel consisted of Worthen, C.J., Griffith, J., and Hoyle, J.