in the Interest of C.A.J., a Child , 2015 Tex. App. LEXIS 1905 ( 2015 )

In The
Court of Appeals
Sixth Appellate District of Texas at Texarkana
No. 06-14-00089-CV
IN THE INTEREST OF C.A.J., A CHILD
On Appeal from the County Court at Law
Cass County, Texas
Trial Court No. CCL14TA142
Before Morriss, C.J., Moseley and Carter,* JJ.
Opinion by Justice Moseley
_______________
*Jack Carter, Justice, Retired, Sitting by Assignment
OPINION
Alice Jenson brought suit to terminate Larry Jenson’s parental rights to C.A.J. 1 After a
bench trial, the trial court found (1) that Larry had been convicted for being criminally
responsible for conduct that caused the serious injury of a child, (2) that Larry’s behavior would
constitute indecency with a child, (3) that Larry knowingly placed or knowingly allowed C.A.J.
to remain in conditions or surroundings which endangered her physical or emotional well-being,
(4) that Larry engaged in conduct or knowingly placed C.A.J. with persons who engaged in
conduct which endangered her physical or emotional well-being, and (5) that termination of
Larry’s parental rights was in C.A.J.’s best interest. See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 161.001(1)(D),
(E), (L)(iv), (2) (West 2014). Accordingly, the trial court terminated Larry’s parental rights to
C.A.J. On appeal, Larry argues that the evidence is legally and factually insufficient 2 to support
any of the statutory grounds for termination and the trial court’s finding regarding the best
interest of the child.
We overrule Larry’s points of error and affirm the trial court’s termination of his parental
rights to C.A.J.
1
To protect the confidentiality of the children involved, this Court will refer to all involved adult parties by fictitious
names and to all minor children with initials. See TEX. R. APP. P. 9.8(b)(C)(2).
2
Although in one portion of his brief, Larry eschews a claim of factual insufficiency, in another portion of his brief
he employs arguments which would raise factual sufficiency concerns. In the interest of justice, we discuss both
legal and factual sufficiency.
2
I. Sufficient Evidence Supports a Statutory Ground for Termination
A. Standard of Review
“The natural right existing between parents and their children is of constitutional
dimensions.” Holick v. Smith, 685 S.W.2d 18, 20 (Tex. 1985). Due to the gravity of the parent-
child relationship, we strictly scrutinize parental-rights termination proceedings; when construing
the predicate grounds for termination of parental rights, “‘involuntary termination statutes are
strictly construed in favor of the parent.’” In re S.K.A., 236 S.W.3d 875, 900 (Tex. App.—
Texarkana 2007, pet. denied) (quoting Holick, 685 S.W.2d at 20). To terminate an individual’s
parental rights to his child, the trial court must find, by clear and convincing evidence, the
existence of both of the following statutory requirements: (1) that the parent has engaged in one
of the statutory grounds for termination and (2) that termination is in the child’s best interest.
TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 161.001 (West 2014); In re E.N.C., 384 S.W.3d 796, 798 (Tex. 2012);
In re C.H., 89 S.W.3d 17, 23 (Tex. 2002). The clear and convincing burden of proof has been
defined as that “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); see C.H., 89 S.W.3d at 23. Due process demands this
heightened standard. E.N.C., 384 S.W.3d at 802 (citing In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d 256, 263 (Tex.
2002)).
In a legal sufficiency review, termination findings are given appropriate deference. See
In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d 256, 266 (Tex. 2002); Smith v. Tex. Dep’t of Protective & Regulatory
Servs., 160 S.W.3d 673, 679 (Tex. App.—Austin 2005, no pet.). In such cases, we consider all
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the evidence in the light most favorable to the findings to determine whether the fact-finder
could reasonably have formed a firm belief or conviction that the grounds for termination were
proven. E.N.C., 384 S.W.3d at 802–03 (citing J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d at 266); In re J.P.B., 180
S.W.3d 570, 573 (Tex. 2005) (per curiam); In re J.L.B., 349 S.W.3d 836, 846 (Tex. App.—
Texarkana 2011, no pet.). We assume that the fact-finder resolved disputed facts in favor of the
findings if a reasonable fact-finder could do so. E.N.C., 384 S.W.3d at 802–03 (citing J.F.C., 96
S.W.3d at 266); J.P.B., 180 S.W.3d at 573. Conversely, we disregard evidence that the fact-
finder may have reasonably disbelieved or testimony from witnesses whose credibility may
reasonably be doubted. E.N.C., 384 S.W.3d at 802–03 (citing J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d at 266); J.P.B.,
180 S.W.3d at 573.
The inquiry in a factual sufficiency review is whether the evidence, viewed in a neutral
light, “is such that a fact-finder could reasonably form a firm belief or conviction about the truth
of the . . . allegations.” C.H., 89 S.W.3d at 25; J.L.B., 349 S.W.3d at 846. If, in weighing
disputed evidence, the fact-finder could have reasonably resolved the conflicts to form a firm
conviction that the allegations constituting the grounds for termination were true, then the
evidence is factually sufficient, and the termination findings must be upheld. C.H., 89 S.W.3d at
18–19; see J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d at 266. In applying this standard in light of the clear and
convincing standard, we must be careful not to “‘be so rigorous that the only factfindings that
could withstand review are those established beyond a reasonable doubt.’” In re R.A.L., 291
S.W.3d 438, 443 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2009, no pet.) (quoting In re H.R.M., 209 S.W.3d 105,
108 (Tex. 2006) (per curiam)).
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“Only one predicate finding under [S]ection 161.001(1) is necessary to support a
judgment of termination when there is also a finding that termination is in the child’s best
interest.” In re A.V., 113 S.W.3d 355, 362 (Tex. 2003); In re K.W., 335 S.W.3d 767, 769 (Tex.
App.—Texarkana 2011, no pet.); In re N.R., 101 S.W.3d 771, 775 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2003,
no pet.). “‘If multiple predicate grounds are found by the trial court, we will affirm based on any
one ground because only one is necessary for termination of parental rights.’” K.W., 335 S.W.3d
at 769 (quoting In re D.S., 333 S.W.3d 379, 388 (Tex. App.—Amarillo 2011, no pet.)).
While a parent’s rights to “‘the companionship, care, custody, and management,’”
Santosky v. Kramer, 455 U.S. 745, 758–59 (1982) (quoting Stanley v. Illinois, 405 U.S. 645, 651
(1972)), of his children are constitutional interests “far more precious than any property right,”
“‘the rights of natural parents are not absolute; protection of the child is paramount.’” A.V., 113
S.W.3d at 361 (quoting In re J.W.T., 872 S.W.2d 189, 195 (Tex. 1994)); see In re M.S., 115
S.W.3d 534, 547 (Tex. 2003). A child’s emotional and physical interests must not be sacrificed
merely to preserve parental rights. C.H., 89 S.W.3d at 26.
B. The Evidence
The record of the termination hearing demonstrated that Larry was a drug addict. He
admitted to the trial court that he had abused drugs like methamphetamine and marihuana on a
regular basis for most of his life. Larry’s mother testified that Larry tried to quit using drugs
“[v]ery many . . . times.” Larry’s brother testified that Larry sought help through numerous drug
treatment programs, but eventually succumbed to his addiction. As a result of his drug use,
Larry had been confined in state jail three times, and he also served a sentence of imprisonment
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in the penitentiary. Larry, who was thirty-four years old at the time of the termination hearing,
testified, “I’ve spent more . . . time in prison or in TDC or Texas custody from the time I’ve been
a kid to now . . . .” While Larry was incarcerated, his daughter, C.A.J., was born to Alice. By
the time Larry was released, C.A.J. was one and one-half years old.
After Larry served his prison sentence, he resumed his relationship with Alice, C.A.J.,
and Alice’s two other children by another man, E.C. and N.C. According to the testimony of
Larry and his biological mother, Larry fell in love with all of Alice’s children and, once again,
decided to turn his life around by refraining from illegal drug use. During a period of sobriety,
Larry married Alice and became a good provider and a loving father.
At the termination hearing, Alice testified that Larry used drugs “off and on” during their
relationship. She explained that she would “kick him out,” but that he would “clean up and
come home.” However, Larry claimed that he was sober for almost five years—until an
argument led to his decision to leave Alice and relapse. Even though Larry knew that his drug
use was a danger to C.A.J., E.C., and N.C., Larry admitted that he used drugs towards the end of
his marriage to Alice. Larry testified that after he left Alice, he started socializing with old
friends who were using drugs, put himself “in the wrong places at the wrong time,” had “a weak
moment,” and resumed his drug use.
On June 1, 2012, Alice allowed Larry to take the children on a camping trip. While the
children were in his care, Larry smoked methamphetamine. That night, while he was still under
the influence of illegal drugs, Larry penetrated eleven-year-old E.C.’s vagina with his fingers
while she was sleeping. Alice drove to the campsite on the following morning. She testified that
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Larry and his friends, who had recently arrived, were gathered in the parking lot while her three
children were swimming in a lake, unsupervised by any adult. Because Alice believed that
Larry’s friends were using drugs, she gathered the children and drove away. Alice testified that
Larry did not see the children after this camping trip and made no attempt to do so.
As of the entry of Alice and Larry’s divorce decree in September 2012, E.C. had made no
outcry of abuse. However, shortly after the divorce decree was entered, Larry became suicidal
and purposefully overdosed on “a bunch of Valium and Soma and stuff.” Referring to Larry’s
indecent act with E.C., Larry’s brother testified that Larry “tr[ied] to commit suicide because he
couldn’t live with the shame of what he’d done.” Larry’s suicide attempt was unsuccessful.
According to Alice, Larry confessed to the act of indecency with E.C. as soon as he was revived.
Larry told the trial court that he was consumed with guilt and confessed his act to Alice and a
few other family members because he “wanted to make sure [that E.C.] was okay mentally and
physically” and “had the counseling she needed.”
Alice reported Larry’s confession to law enforcement officers. On December 13, 2012,
pursuant to his plea of no contest, Larry was convicted of indecency with a child by contact, was
sentenced to three years’ imprisonment, and was returned to the penitentiary for a second time.
He was still incarcerated at the time of the termination hearing. Although he confessed the act of
indecency with E.C. to the trial court, Larry testified that the only time he used illegal drugs in
front of the children was during the camping trip. He assured the trial court that he loved all of
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Alice’s children and that he was willing to do anything to prevent the termination of his parental
rights to C.A.J. 3
After hearing the evidence, the trial court terminated Larry’s parental rights to C.A.J.
C. Analysis
Larry argues that the evidence is legally and factually insufficient to support the trial
court’s decision to terminate his parental rights. His main argument centers on the requirements
set out in Section 161.001(1)(L) of the Texas Family Code. As written, subsection L provides
for termination if a parent has been convicted “‘for being criminally responsible for the death or
serious injury of a child’ under various Penal Code sections, including a conviction for
indecency with a child under Section 21.11 of the Penal Code.” In re L.S.R., 60 S.W.3d 376, 379
(Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2001), pet. denied, 92 S.W.3d 529, 530 (Tex. 2002) (per curiam)
(quoting TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 161.001(1)(L)(iv)). Larry admits that he was previously
convicted of indecency with a child (which is one of the enumerated offenses listed in subsection
L), but he maintains that there was no evidence that E.C. sustained serious injury as a result of
his crime. See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 161.001(1)(L)(iv).
In support of his argument, Larry cites to a few opinions from our sister courts suggesting
that subsection L requires a finding of serious injury to a child and that such a finding cannot be
inferred from the mere commission or conviction of indecency with a child. See Vidaurri v.
Ensey, 58 S.W.3d 142, 145–46 (Tex. App.—Amarillo 2011, no pet.); see also R.F. v. Tex. Dep’t
of Fam. & Protective Servs., 390 S.W.3d 63, 73–74 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2012, no pet.); In re
3
Larry’s brother testified that Larry should not be allowed around children without supervision.
8
A.L., 389 S.W.3d 896, 900 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2012, no pet.); but see L.S.R., 92
S.W.3d at 530 (disavowing “any suggestion that . . . indecency with a child, generally, does not
cause serious injury”); L.S.R., 60 S.W.3d at 379. Here, we take note of the facts and
circumstances of Larry’s conviction and will determine whether these, along with the other
evidence adduced at trial, were sufficient for the trial court to make a finding under Section
161.001(1)(E) of the Texas Family Code.
Alice alleged that Larry either engaged in conduct or knowingly placed C.A.J. with
persons who engaged in conduct which endangered her physical or emotional well-being. See
TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 161.001(1)(E). Endanger “means more than a threat of metaphysical
injury or potential ill effects of a less-than-ideal family environment.” E.N.C., 384 S.W.3d at
803. It “‘means to expose to loss or injury.’” In re N.S.G., 235 S.W.3d 358, 367 (Tex. App.—
Texarkana 2007, no pet.) (quoting Tex. Dep’t of Human Servs. v. Boyd, 727 S.W.2d 531, 533
(Tex. 1987)).
Subsection E “‘refers only to the parent’s conduct, as evidenced not only by the parent’s
acts, but also by the parent’s omissions or failures to act.’” Id. at 366–67 (quoting In re S.K., 198
S.W.3d 899, 902 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2006, pet. denied)). “‘The conduct to be examined
includes what the parent did both before and after the child was born.’” Id. at 367 (quoting S.K.,
198 S.W.3d at 902); see E.N.C., 384 S.W.3d at 804–05. “‘To be relevant, the conduct does not
have to have been directed at the child, nor must actual harm result to the child from the
conduct.’” In re Z.M., No. 06-14-00068-CV, 2015 WL 293395, at *6 (Tex. App.—Texarkana
Jan. 23, 2015, no pet. h.) (quoting Perez v. Tex. Dep’t of Protective & Regulatory Servs., 148
9
S.W.3d 427, 436 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2004, no pet.)); see E.N.C., 384 S.W.3d at 803; N.S.G.,
235 S.W.3d at 367. “However, termination under this ground ‘must be based on more than a
single act or omission; a voluntary, deliberate, and conscious course of conduct by the parent is
required.’” Z.M., 2015 WL 293395, at *6 (quoting Perez, 148 S.W.3d at 436).
“‘Because it exposes the child to the possibility that the parent may be impaired or
imprisoned, illegal drug use may support termination under section 161.001(1)(E).’” In re A.L.,
06-14-00050-CV, 2014 WL 5204888, at *7 (Tex. App.—Texarkana Oct. 8, 2014, no pet.) (mem.
op.) (quoting Walker v. Tex. Dep’t of Family & Protective Servs., 312 S.W.3d 608, 617 (Tex.
App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2009, pet. denied)). “‘Drug use and its effect on a parent’s life and
his ability to parent may establish an endangering course of conduct.’” J.L.B., 349 S.W.3d at
348 (quoting N.S.G., 235 S.W.3d at 368); see In re J.O.A., 283 S.W.3d 336, 345 n.4 (Tex. 2009)
(“‘Evidence of illegal drug use or alcohol abuse by a parent is often cited as conduct which will
support an affirmative finding that the parent has engaged in a course of conduct which has the
effect of endangering the child.’”) (quoting In re S.N., 272 S.W.3d 45, 52 (Tex. App.—Waco
2008, no pet.)).
The evidence at trial demonstrated that Larry had a long history of drug abuse and
incarceration. Larry had tried to seek assistance with his addiction several times, but returned to
his vice during “weak moment[s].” As a result of his addiction, Larry was incarcerated during
the first one and one-half years of C.A.J.’s life. Although Larry claimed that he remained drug
free while he was married to Alice, Alice testified that she kicked Larry out of the house several
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times for using drugs. 4 After Larry left Alice, he continued socializing with friends who were
drugs users. When C.A.J. was five years old, Larry used methamphetamine and committed a
heinous crime by molesting E.C. By committing the offense of indecency with a child while
under the influence of methamphetamine, Larry demonstrated the danger of his drug addiction.
According to Alice, on the day after he molested E.C., Larry was socializing with drug users
while her children swam in the lake unsupervised. At the time of the termination hearing, Larry
was incarcerated and had not seen C.A.J. for over two years.
The evidence demonstrated that Larry had a serious drug addiction and engaged in
criminal behavior (including conduct that endangered children) while under the influence of
illicit drugs; he also had a long history of relapses from resolutions to abstain from the use of
those drugs. Based on all of the evidence introduced in this case, we conclude that the trial court
could readily have reached the necessary firm conviction or belief that Larry engaged in a course
of conduct which endangered C.A.J.’s physical or emotional well-being.
II. Sufficient Evidence Supports the Trial Court’s Best-Interest Finding
Next, Larry argues that even if there was evidence supporting one of the statutory
grounds for termination, the evidence was insufficient to establish that termination of his parental
rights was in C.A.J.’s best interest.
There is a strong presumption that a child’s interest is best served by preserving the
conservatorship of the parents; however, clear and convincing evidence to the contrary may
4
In termination cases, “[w]hen there is conflicting evidence, it is the province of the trier of fact to resolve such
conflicts.” Jordan v. Dossey, 325 S.W.3d 700, 713 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2010, pet. denied) (citing City
of Keller v. Wilson, 168 S.W.3d 802, 820 (Tex. 2005)).
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overcome the presumption. In re R.R., 209 S.W.3d 112, 116 (Tex. 2006) (per curiam); In re
K.S., 420 S.W.3d 852, 855 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2014, no pet.). In deciding whether
termination would be in the best interest of the child, the trial court may consider this
nonexclusive list of factors:
(A) the desires of the child; (B) the emotional and physical needs of the child now
and in the future; (C) the emotional and physical danger to the child now and in
the future; (D) the parental abilities of the individuals seeking custody; (E) the
programs available to assist these individuals to promote the best interest of the
child; (F) the plans for the child by these individuals or by the agency seeking
custody; (G) the stability of the home or proposed placement; (H) the acts or
omissions of the parent which may indicate that the existing parent-child
relationship is not a proper one; and (I) any excuse for the acts or omissions of the
parent.
Holley v. Adams, 544 S.W.2d 367, 371–72 (Tex. 1976) (citations omitted); K.S., 420 S.W.3d at
855. It is unnecessary to prove all of these factors as a condition precedent to parental-rights
termination. C.H., 89 S.W.3d at 27. Also, evidence offered to prove grounds for termination,
contact between the natural parent and child, and degree of financial support are all relevant to
determining if termination is in the best interest of the child. See C.H., 89 S.W.3d at 28.
In what appears to be an attempt to describe C.A.J.’s desires concerning the termination,
Larry, his mother, and his brother all testified that Larry loved C.A.J. and was an active part of
her life. However, a description of Larry’s love for his child and the fact that he was an active
part of her life does not provide us with evidence concerning the desires of the child herself.
There is no other evidence of the desires of the child. Accordingly, the Holley factor regarding
the desires of the child is neutral. See E.N.C., 384 S.W.3d at 808.
12
C.A.J. was approximately seven years old at the time of the termination hearing. The
emotional and physical needs of the child now and in the future are great. Due to his
incarceration, Larry had no income and no suitable home and would not likely be able to meet
C.A.J.’s needs. Alice testified that Larry had not paid child support in two years. “‘A parent
who lacks stability, income, and a home is unable to provide for a child’s emotional and physical
needs.’” Z.M., 2015 WL 293395, at *9 (quoting In re J.T.G., 14-10-00972-CV, 2012 WL
171012, at *17 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] Jan. 9, 2012, pet. denied) (mem. op.)). We
find that the second Holley factor weighs in favor of termination.
As to the third and fourth Holley factors, “‘[e]vidence of past misconduct or neglect can
be used to measure a parent’s future conduct.’” Id. (quoting In re I.R.K.-N., No. 10-13-00455-
CV, 2014 WL 2069281, at *7 (Tex. App.—Waco May 15, 2004, pet. denied) (mem. op.) (citing
Williams v. Williams, 150 S.W.3d 436, 451 (Tex. App.—Austin 2004, pet. denied); Ray v. Burns,
832 S.W.2d 431, 435 (Tex. App.—Waco 1992, no writ) (“Past is often prologue.”)). Although
there was evidence that although Larry had attempted (with some periodic success) to be a good
father, he admitted that he smoked methamphetamine while C.A.J. was in his care. Larry’s long
history of drug abuse and the devastating decisions he made while under the influence
established that he was a danger to C.A.J. Larry’s failure to remain drug free in the past speaks
volumes about his parental ability and suggests a substantial likelihood that he could be a danger
to C.A.J. in the future. We find that the third and fourth Holley factors weigh in favor of
termination.
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Next, Larry needed to beat his drug addiction in order to promote C.A.J.’s best interests.
Yet, Larry and his family testified that he had previously attended drug education classes and
treatment programs without success. We find that the fifth Holley factor weighs in favor of
termination.
Larry pled with the trial court to permit him to continue supervised visits with C.A.J. His
brother testified that Larry should not be left unsupervised with children. Because Larry was
incarcerated at the time of trial, there was little testimony of his plans for C.A.J. We find that the
sixth and seventh Holley factors weigh in favor of termination.
Larry’s choice to use drugs while C.A.J. was in his care, his commission of indecency
with a child, and his long absences from C.A.J.’s life due to his incarceration indicated that his
existing parent-child relationship with C.A.J. was not a proper one. Larry offered his drug
addiction as an excuse for his acts. We find that the eighth and ninth Holley factors weigh in
favor of termination.
Considering the Holley factors, and in light of all of the evidence, we find that the trial
court could have reasonably formed a firm belief or conviction that termination of Larry’s
parental rights was in the best interest of C.A.J. Therefore, we conclude that the evidence was
legally and factually sufficient to support the best-interest finding. Accordingly, we overrule
Larry’s legal and factual sufficiency challenges.
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III. Conclusion
We affirm the trial court’s judgment.
Bailey C. Moseley
Justice
Date Submitted: February 25, 2015
Date Decided: February 27, 2015
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