in the Interest of J. A. W. and S. P. W., Minor Children

In The
Court of Appeals
Sixth Appellate District of Texas at Texarkana
______________________________
No. 06-09-00068-CV
______________________________
IN THE INTEREST OF J.A.W. AND S.P.W., MINOR CHILDREN
On Appeal from the 307th Judicial District Court
Gregg County, Texas
Trial Court No. 2008-168-DR
Before Morriss, C.J., Carter and Moseley, JJ.
Memorandum Opinion by Justice Carter
MEMORANDUM OPINION
This is a joint appeal from termination of parental rights to two children, J.A.W. (the older
girl) and S.P.W. (the infant). The parental rights of the mother (Princess) of both children, the
father (Brandon) of S.P.W., and the father (Kelly) of J.A.W. were terminated, and the relief sought
in connection with conservatorship and visitation privileges to the maternal grandmother (Patricia)
was denied. Brandon, Princess, and Patricia all filed appeals; Kelly did not. Separate briefs
were filed by each party, albeit with substantial overlap among the issues raised. Having found
the evidence sufficiently supports the judgment and no other reversible error, we affirm the
judgment of the trial court.
I. GENERAL FACTS
Princess had a relationship with Kelly that resulted in the birth of J.A.W. Shortly
thereafter, she lived with Brandon for a time, and S.P.W.‘s birth resulted. While she and Brandon
lived together, there is evidence that he repeatedly assaulted her, resulting in arrests, emergency
room visits for Princess, and finally resulting in Brandon‘s current imprisonment. Brandon had
also previously, during the lifetime of the child, been incarcerated in a state jail facility for six
months after his revocation of community supervision on a felony theft conviction. Both children
stayed at different times with Princess‘ mother, Patricia, and with Brandon‘s grandmother
Nelderine.
2
Princess met Brandon in 2005 and lived with him in Nelderine‘s home. Brandon beat her
on three specific occasions that resulted in hospital visits, the first time in April 2007, while she
was pregnant, and the last time in January 2008, using a closet pole as a weapon. The last time,
she was hospitalized. She nevertheless returned to live with Brandon. Princess‘ full scale IQ is
fifty-four. The evidence shows that after S.P.W. was born, she stayed with Patricia or Nelderine
and that Brandon had not provided anything for the child. After the assaults, Patricia had taken
steps to get J.A.W. and her pregnant daughter out of Nelderine‘s home, and by December, both
were living with Patricia. That did not last, however, as Princess took the child back to
Nelderine‘s home shortly thereafter—where she could rejoin Brandon after his release from jail.
The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (TDFPS) became involved
following the December 2007 beating, during the short time that Princess was living with her
mother. TDFPS was in the process of creating a ―plan,‖ and while doing so, discovered that
Princess had moved back in with Nelderine—because her own mother was too strict and because
she wanted to be with Brandon.1 After Princess left her mother‘s home and returned to Brandon,
TDFPS directed that the children should be placed with Patricia. TDFPS arranged meetings,
which Brandon walked out of and which Princess attended only briefly.
In the next stage of the proceedings, the children had been living with Patricia for several
months, until mid–April 2007, when TDFPS received a report that Patricia was using drugs.
1
The evidence also showed that one of Nelderine‘s daughters had convinced Princess to put her name on Princess‘
social security checks, and had been using them for her own benefit.
3
Patricia admitted using marihuana, and (contrary to a court order directing that Princess could not
have unsupervised contact with her children) had left the children with Princess while she was
doing so. TDFPS removed the children from Patricia‘s home at that time and sent them to foster
care. The evidence also shows that TDFPS found Patricia‘s home to be appropriate, clean, etc.,
and that drug tests of Patricia after the April 2007 incident were negative.
Brandon was incarcerated when S.P.W. was about five months old, and at the time of trial,
he had completed twenty-two months of a six-year felony sentence for family violence against
Princess. The likelihood of Brandon‘s release on parole was dubious; he had four prior
convictions for assault and while incarcerated, he attacked a guard, which caused him to lose one
year of good conduct time. There is no evidence that either child was ever injured by Brandon.
II. STANDARD OF REVIEW
The standard of review in parental rights termination proceedings is clear and convincing
evidence. TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 161.001 (Vernon Supp. 2009); In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d 256,
263 (Tex. 2003). The evidence is clear and convincing when the proof is such that it produces in
the mind of the trier of fact a firm belief or conviction of the truth of the allegations sought to be
established by the State. In re C.H., 89 S.W.3d 17, 25–26 (Tex. 2002); In re A.W.,
No. 06-07-00118-CV, 2008 WL 360825 (Tex. App.—Texarkana Feb. 12, 2008, no pet.) (mem.
op.).
4
In reviewing the legal sufficiency of the evidence, we view all the evidence in a light most
favorable to the finding to determine whether a reasonable trier of fact could have formed a firm
belief or conviction that its finding was true. TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 101.007 (Vernon 2008);
J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d at 266; C.H., 89 S.W.3d at 25. Looking at the evidence in the light most
favorable to the judgment means we must assume the fact-finder resolved disputed facts in favor of
its finding if a reasonable fact-finder could do so. A corollary to this requirement is that a court
should disregard all evidence that a reasonable fact-finder could have disbelieved or found to have
been incredible. J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d at 266.
In reviewing for factual sufficiency, we are to give due consideration to evidence the
fact-finder could reasonably have found to be clear and convincing––whether it is such as to allow
a fact-finder to reasonably form a firm belief or conviction about the truth of the State‘s
allegations. If, on review of the entire record, we conclude that the disputed evidence that a
reasonable fact-finder could not have credited in favor of the finding is so significant that a
fact-finder could not have reasonably have formed a firm belief or conviction, then the evidence is
factually insufficient. Id.
We also acknowledge that sufficient proof of one statutory termination ground, together
with the finding that termination is in the best interest of the child, is sufficient to support a
termination order. In re A.V., 113 S.W.3d 355, 361 (Tex. 2003).
III. PRINCESS
5
We first address Princess‘ argument that there is no or insufficient evidence to support a
finding that she knowingly placed or knowingly allowed the children to remain in conditions or
surroundings that endanger the physical or emotional well-being of the child.
A. Grounds for Termination
The jury charge listed five different factors that are set out in the Texas Family Code as
reasons to justify termination and instructed the jury that if it found that any one of them had
occurred (and if in the best interest of the child), it could terminate her rights.2
Thus, the jury had multiple grounds on which it could have found termination appropriate,
with no specificity as to which was actually utilized. Accordingly, the trial court entered an order
that listed each reason set out in the charge as a reason for termination. Princess is required to
address each possible reason for the verdict on appeal.
If a parent abuses or neglects the other parent or children, that conduct can be used to
support a finding of endangerment even against a child who was not yet born at the time of the
conduct. In re J.O.A., 283 S.W.3d 336, 346 (Tex. 2009); In re W.J.H., 111 S.W.3d 707, 716 (Tex.
2
The five grounds for termination in the jury charge were:
(1) knowingly placing or allowing the child to remain in conditions which endanger the physical or
emotion well-being of the child. TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 161.001(1)(D);
(2) engaging in conduct or knowingly placing the child with persons who endanger the physical or
emotion well-being of the child. TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 161.001(1)(E);
(3) constructively abandoning the child in the TDFPS‘s custody. TEX. FAM. CODE ANN.
§ 161.001(1)(N);
(4) failing to comply with a court order establishing the actions necessary for return of the child. TEX.
FAM. CODE ANN. § 161.001(1)(O); and
(5) having a mental or emotional illness or mental deficiency that rendered her unable to provide for the
physical, emotional, and mental needs of the child and that such will continue until the child‘s eighteenth birthday.
TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 161.003 (Vernon 2008).
6
App.—Fort Worth 2003, pet. denied). It is not necessary that the offending conduct be directed at
the child or that the child actually suffers injury. Tex. Dep’t of Human Servs. v. Boyd, 727 S.W.2d
531, 533 (Tex. 1987). If the evidence shows a course of conduct which has the effect of
endangering the physical or emotional well-being of the child, a finding under Section
161.001(1)(E) is supportable. Id. at 534; In re C.E.K., 214 S.W.3d 492, 497 (Tex. App.—Dallas
2006, no pet.). In considering whether a relevant course of conduct has been established, a court
may properly consider evidence of conduct that occurred both before and after a child‘s birth.
In re C.A.B., 289 S.W.3d 874, 883 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2009, no pet.); In re S.T., 263
S.W.3d 394, 401–02 (Tex. App.—Waco 2008, pet. denied). In addition, a court may consider
evidence establishing that a parent continued to engage in endangering conduct after the child‘s
removal by TDFPS 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. See C.A.B., 289 S.W.3d at 883; Smith v.
Sims, 801 S.W.2d 247, 249–50 (Tex. App.––Houston [14th Dist.] 1990, no writ).
The evidence set out above shows that Princess kept company with a man who beat her
repeatedly and that she took her oldest child into harm‘s way. The evidence also shows that
during several of the beatings, she was pregnant with the younger child and feared injury to the
fetus as a result of at least one of the beatings—and yet later returned to live with Brandon.
TDFPS was involved with the family by that point, and Princess did not go to one meeting they
had arranged with her, Brandon, and grandparents because she had injuries to her face—and then
7
hid in Brandon‘s apartment from the caseworker when she came by to check on her to see why she
had not come to the meeting. There is evidence the older child was with her part of the time she
was living with Brandon. There is no evidence that Brandon ever beat the children or harmed
them physically in any other way. However, it is also clear that his actions in beating the mother
would certainly injure the emotional well-being of the child. The fact that Princess chose for part
of that time to leave J.A.W. with her mother is not dispositive and there is nothing to indicate any
lasting change in Princess‘ behavior. We acknowledge that she will not be living with Brandon
again, at least for some time, as he is now in prison. Nevertheless, she did choose to place herself
in clear and repetitive danger, and for a portion of that time, J.A.W. was also exposed to such
conditions. There was also evidence that S.P.W., after her birth, was taken into the situation, as
Princess was still living with Brandon, and the child was taken back and forth to spend time with
her—and then returning to Patricia‘s house.
This is, standing alone, sufficient evidence to allow a fact-finder to find by the requisite
clear and convincing standard that Princess had knowingly placed or knowingly allowed the
children to remain in conditions or surroundings that endanger the physical or emotional
well-being of the child—as to both children. Because only one statutory ground for termination
under Section 161.001(1) is necessary to support a judgment of termination, we need not address
Princess‘ challenges to the sufficiency of the evidence supporting the alternative findings. See
8
TEX. R. APP. P. 47.1; In re J.N., 301 S.W.3d 429, 433 (Tex. App.—Amarillo 2009, pet. denied);
In re D.M., 58 S.W.3d 801, 813 (Tex. App.––Fort Worth 2001, no pet.).
B. Best Interest of the Children
Princess also argues that the evidence is insufficient because the TDFPS did not prove that
termination of her parental rights was in the best interests of the children. In reviewing the
sufficiency of the evidence to support the second prong, we apply the nonexclusive factors found
in Holley v. Adams, 544 S.W.2d 367, 371–72 (Tex. 1976). Those factors include: (1) the desires
of the child; (2) the emotional and physical needs of the child now and in the future; (3) the
emotional and physical danger to the child now and in the future; (4) the parental abilities of the
individuals seeking custody; (5) the plans for the child by these individuals; (6) the stability of the
home; (7) the acts or omissions of the parent which may indicate that the existing parent-child
relationship is not a proper one; and (8) any excuse for the acts or omissions of the parent. Id.
The Holley factors, however, are not exhaustive, and no single consideration is controlling.
In re A.B., 269 S.W.3d 120, 126 (Tex. App.––El Paso 2008, no pet.). Nor is a fact-finder required
to consider all of them. Holley, 544 S.W.2d at 372. Undisputed evidence of just one factor may
be sufficient to support a finding that termination is in the best interest of a child. C.H., 89
S.W.3d at 27; M.C. v. Tex. Dep’t of Family & Protective Servs., 300 S.W.3d 305 (Tex.
App.—El Paso 2009, pet. denied). On the other hand, the presence of scant evidence relevant to
9
each Holley factor will not support a finding. C.H., 89 S.W.3d at 27; M.C., 300 S.W.3d 305; A.B.,
269 S.W.3d at 126.
There is little testimony about the desires of J.A.W. beyond a statement that at one point,
she wanted to go home and see her grandmother. Testimony about her behavior indicated that
J.A.W. had problems with aggressive and angry behavior, but seemed to have bonded well with
the foster parents. J.A.W. is seven years old. The infant is too young to express desires. This
factor is effectively neutral as to both.
As to the emotional and physical needs of the child now and in the future, there is evidence
that J.A.W. had a lack of emotional control and exhibited aggressive behavior at times. As
presented, that evidence is not convincing as to anything beyond the fact that she is a child.
However, this factor merges in this instance with the next one based on possible emotional and
physical danger to the children now and in the future. The problem is not J.A.W.‘s lack of control
and her decision-making frailties; it is Princess‘ lack of control and her poor choices. Domestic
violence, want of self-control, and propensity for violence may be considered as evidence of
endangerment. In re J.I.T.P., 99 S.W.3d 841, 845 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2003, no
pet.).
The cited evidence of Princess‘ insistence of remaining in a relationship with a man who
hospitalized her, combined with the lack of any indication of a change in her behavior shows that
she is a probable danger, both to the physical and emotional aspects of the children. Finally, the
10
need for permanence is a paramount consideration for the child‘s present and future physical and
emotional needs. In re C.J.F., 134 S.W.3d 343, 351 (Tex. App.—Amarillo 2003, no pet.); In re
S.Z.G, No. 12-02-00081-CV, 2003 WL 21771759, at *6 (Tex. App.—Tyler July 31, 2003, pet.
denied) (mem. op.). We also note that she effectively abandoned the children, moving out of
town, and failing to visit or otherwise contact them for the six months before the trial. Her reason,
as she explained, was because she believed she could never get the children back anyway. These
factors weigh in favor of the TDFPS‘s position.
The evidence about Princess‘ parental abilities is of a woman with low intelligence, who
has little focus on the care of her children, and whose behavior shows a focus on herself. She
admitted at trial that she was not able to take care of her children by herself, but indicated that she
would be willing to attend parenting classes. She has no apparent ability to care for her children
herself, and wants the children returned to her family at large, with the stated idea that her mother
would raise them. This shows a degree of understanding of her own weaknesses. Although this
is commendable, it is not equivalent to showing that Princess has the ability to act as a parent.
This factor also weighs in favor of the TDFPS‘s position.
So far as plans for the children by these individuals, there is nothing other than turning the
children over to the grandmother to raise. Regarding the stability of the home—the mother has
none, and lives either with other individuals or with her own mother. Both of those factors are
somewhat in favor of the TDFPS‘s position.
11
There is nothing that indicates the existing parent-child relationship is not a ―proper‖ one.
This weighs in favor of Princess‘ position. Finally, there is no real excuse proffered for the acts or
omissions of the parent as described above. At best, this is neutral.
Based on all of these factors, we find the evidence legally and factually sufficient to
support the termination of Princess‘ parental rights.
C. Constitutional Argument
Princess also contends that the termination statutes are unconstitutional as applied because
they have denied her due process and due course of law—by restricting the issues that can be
preserved and raised on appeal. This contention is directed at the much-maligned ―statement of
points‖ that must be filed within an extraordinarily short time frame and presented to the trial court
before they can be considered later by an appellate court in reviewing the termination proceeding.3
The TDFPS argues that we should reach none of these arguments because she has been unable to
show any issues that would have been raised with effect, but for the unconstitutional restriction.
An ―as applied‖ constitutional challenge is waived if not raised at the trial court level. See
In re L.M.I., 119 S.W.3d 707, 711 (Tex. 2003); In re R.B., 225 S.W.3d 798, 802 (Tex. App.––Fort
Worth 2007, no pet.); In re B.S.W., 87 S.W.3d 766, 771–72 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2002, pet.
denied), overruled sub silentio, on other grounds, A.V., 113 S.W.3d 355. Princess raised her
3
An appellate court reviewing a termination of parental rights on the TDFPS‘s petition ―may not consider any issue
that was not specifically presented to the trial court in a timely filed statement of the points on which the party intends
to appeal . . . .‖ TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 263.405(i) (Vernon 2008). To be timely, the statement of points must be
filed within fifteen days of the date of the final order. TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 263.405(b) (Vernon 2008).
12
constitutional challenges at the trial court level in her timely motion for new trial as well as in her
timely statement of points. The trial court heard argument on the issue at the hearing on the
motion for new trial. Thus, the issue has been preserved. See In re S.K.A., 236 S.W.3d 875, 887
(Tex. App.—Texarkana 2007), pet. denied, 260 S.W.3d 463 (Tex. 2008).
As we discussed in S.K.A., and as other courts of appeals have stated, the statute contains
the potential to create constitutional violations. The Fort Worth court has held, in a carefully
written and well-supported opinion, that Section 263.405(i)
is void because it violates the Separation of Powers Clause of the constitution to the
extent that it forecloses our power to review issues properly preserved for appeal
because the statute unduly interferes with our substantive power as an appellate
court to rehear and determine issues on the merits that were decided in the court
below.
In re D.W., 249 S.W.3d 625, 640 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2008, pet. denied) (footnote omitted).
However, the facts in this case are distinctly different from those in D.W. In that case, the
Fort Worth court was confronted with arguments that had not been preserved below and had not
been raised in the statement of points. Thus, the court reasoned, the Legislature had attempted to
eliminate the purpose for which courts of appeals exist by creating stringent requirements with the
sole aim of allowing the TDFPS to avoid appellate review. The court was, by the terms of the
statute, barred from considering the appellate issues on constitutionality because those grounds
were not alleged in the statement of points and could not find any unconstitutionality harmless
13
because the statute stated that it may not ―consider‖ that issue to determine whether she would be
entitled to prevail—―if the statute did not preclude us from reviewing her complaint.‖ Id. at 834.
In our case, detailed issues were timely propounded to the trial court, and counsel has
suggested no other issues or arguments that he is prevented from making because of the
application of the statute. The posture of this case is different from that facing the Fort Worth
court.
The Texas Supreme Court has repeatedly stated that we should not delve into constitutional
issues if other grounds dispose of an appeal. See VanDevender v. Woods, 222 S.W.3d 430, 432
(Tex. 2007) (noting courts should rest decisions on nonconstitutional grounds, if available, and not
―wade into ancillary constitutional questions‖); In re B.L.D., 113 S.W.3d 340, 349 (Tex. 2003)
(―As a rule, we only decide constitutional questions when we cannot resolve issues on
nonconstitutional grounds.‖).
Applying that general restriction, several appellate courts have held that due process or
separation of powers issues should not be addressed where there is no showing that the operation
of the challenged statute harmed the appellant. See, e.g., M.C., 300 S.W.3d at 315–16; Walker v.
Tex. Dep’t of Family & Protective Servs., No. 01-07-00867-CV, 2009 WL 1688469, at *7, 12
(Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] June 18, 2009, pet. denied); In re M.M.F., No. 2-08-014-CV,
2008 WL 5265033, at *7 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Dec. 18, 2008, no pet.) (mem. op.).
14
Princess does not identify any issues that we have not already addressed which were
preserved in the court below, but not raised herein, because those issues were not included in her
statement of points. She has not shown how the statute operated to deprive her of the ability to
raise certain challenges on appeal. Accordingly, we may not address the constitutional issues
raised here, and the contentions of error are overruled.
IV. BRANDON
We next turn to the arguments made by S.P.W.‘s father, Brandon. He contends we should
reverse the termination of his parental rights because there is legally and factually insufficient
evidence to support termination on any of the several grounds set out by the court in the order of
termination. Brandon further argues that termination was improper because the TDFPS made no
effort to give him an opportunity to work a service plan to regain possession of his parental rights.
He also raises the same constitutional arguments as those propounded by Princess, with the
addition of a contention that the determination of whether an appeal is frivolous is also an
unconstitutional usurpation of the function and jurisdiction of the appellate courts. His final
argument is a Batson4 claim.
A. Grounds
We first address the legal and factual sufficiency arguments, utilizing the standards set out
above. Brandon argues that the evidence is insufficient because it does not support the findings
that knowingly placed or knowingly allowed the child to remain in conditions or surroundings
4
Batson v. Kentucky, 476 U.S. 79 (1986).
15
which endangered the child‘s physical or emotional well-being and engaged in conduct or
knowingly placed the child with persons who engaged in conduct which endangered the child‘s
physical or emotional well-being. TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 161.001(1)(D), (E).
As set out above, Brandon is presently incarcerated for beating Princess. The evidence
indicates he did so on several occasions, quite severely. As we have previously noted,
endangerment does not require showing actual infliction of injury on the children—and can
include events that happened before the birth of the child at bar. See Wyatt v. Dep’t of Family &
Protective Servs., 193 S.W.3d 61, 68 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2006, no pet.); In re B.B.,
971 S.W.2d 160, 166–69 (Tex. App.—Beaumont 1998, pet. denied). Domestic violence, want of
self-control, and propensity for violence may be considered as evidence of endangerment.
J.I.T.P., 99 S.W.3d at 845; In re S.M.L., 171 S.W.3d 472, 479 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.]
2005, no pet.) (holding clear and convincing evidence existed that termination of father‘s parental
rights was in child‘s best interest where, among other factors, father was incarcerated at time of
termination hearing and had pattern of criminal and violent conduct). Cases also note that
incarceration is a legitimate factor for consideration on the issue of endangerment. Boyd, 727
S.W.2d at 533–34.
Based on the evidence of Brandon‘s continuing and repetitive violent behavior, we
conclude that the evidence is both legally and factually sufficient to support an order terminating
his parental rights on this basis.
16
We also note that he is presently imprisoned for a six-year term for the domestic violence
described above. Under TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 161.001(1)(Q), and as also found by the trial
court, Brandon‘s parental rights could be properly terminated based on his incarceration and
concurrent inability to care for S.P.W. for not less than two years from the date on which the
petition was filed, even considering the possibility of parole at some indefinable point in the future.
See In re H.R.M., 209 S.W.3d 105, 109 (Tex. 2006).
Brandon next argues that his rights were unlawfully terminated because the TDFPS never
met its statutory duty to provide him with an opportunity to comply with a service plan that might
result in his regaining possession and conservatorship of S.P.W. Brandon argues that the TDFPS
had a duty to provide a plan and that by failing to do so, it had no authority to then terminate his
parental rights for the failure to comply with the plan. TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 263.101 (Vernon
Supp. 2009) (requiring TDFPS to file service plan within forty-five days after temporary order
grants it conservatorship). In so doing, Brandon attempts to import constitutional arguments
suggesting that he was treated differently from the mother, thus his right to equal protection under
the law or due process was also violated.
We have found ample evidence supports the first ground for termination, so even if
Brandon‘s argument was valid, the ultimate result would be the termination of his parental rights.
Consequently, it is unnecessary to address this issue. The contention of error is overruled.
17
Brandon also raises several contentions in which he argues, as has Princess, that the
statutes restricting appeal are unconstitutional as limiting the ability of counsel to present reasoned
points of error on appeal—because counsel has to draft his statement of points before he even has
a copy of the record for review. See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 263.405 (Vernon 2008). That
argument has a considerable degree of validity. However, in this instance, as an admirably
complete statement of points was timely filed, and no additional issues are suggested that would be
unreviewable by this Court due to the statute, no harm can be shown, and as above, we cannot
address the argument on the merits. Brandon also argues that the statute allowing the trial court to
determine whether the appeal is frivolous is a violation of the constitutional separation of the
branches of government. See D.W., 249 S.W.3d at 640. In this instance, however, the court did
not find the appeal to be frivolous, so even though the statute is suspect, Brandon has not been
harmed by it, and his argument is thus not properly before this Court for review. The contentions
of error are overruled.
B. Best Interest of Child
Brandon also argues that the evidence does not prove it was in the best interest of the child
for his parental rights to be terminated. We have already set out the relevant standard of review
for this argument. As we noted above, Brandon is imprisoned for beating the mother of the child,
and the information provided at the trial indicated that he had done so repeatedly. He has never
provided care for S.P.W., has admitted providing no money for S.P.W., and will be imprisoned for
18
some years yet to come. The jury‘s determination is supported by clear and convincing evidence.
The contention of error is overruled.
V. PATRICIA
The maternal grandmother of both children has appealed from the judgment of the trial
court which denied her requests for managing conservatorship and access to and possession of the
children. We first address the issues attacking the jury‘s findings on these matters. The jury was
asked the following questions:
Should Patricia Williams be appointed managing conservator of the children?
....
Should Patricia Williams be granted possession of or access to the children?
The jury‘s answer to both questions was ―No.‖ Section 161.207 of the Texas Family Code
provides that the court shall appoint a suitable competent adult or TDFPS as managing conservator
if the court terminates the parent-child relationship with respect to both parents or to the only
living parent. TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 161.207 (Vernon 2008).
The grandmother, Patricia, sought conservatorship and possession or access based on her
position that it was in the children‘s best interests to name her as sole managing conservator. This
is a contention that the evidence is legally and factually insufficient to support the jury‘s finding
that a state agency, rather than a relative, should be appointed as conservator of the children.
19
The standard of review for this matter is much different from that used above in reviewing
termination. In cases tried to the court, conservatorship determinations are subject to review only
for abuse of discretion and may be reversed only if the decision is arbitrary and unreasonable.
Gillespie v. Gillespie, 644 S.W.2d 449, 451 (Tex. 1982). In a jury trial, a trial court may not
render an order in contravention of the jury‘s findings. TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 105.002(c)(1)(A)
(Vernon Supp. 2009). The jury findings underlying a conservatorship appointment are subject to
ordinary legal and factual sufficiency review. In re J.A.J., 243 S.W.3d 611, 617 n.5 (Tex. 2007);
see, e.g., Corrales v. Dep’t of Family & Protective Servs., 155 S.W.3d 478, 487–88 (Tex.
App.—El Paso 2004, no pet.). In analyzing these issues, we thus apply the familiar standard of
review for legal and factual sufficiency in civil cases in which the burden of proof at trial was by a
preponderance of the evidence. See In re T.T., 228 S.W.3d 312, 325 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th
Dist.] 2007, pet. denied); Corrales, 155 S.W.3d at 488.
―The best interest of the child shall always be the primary consideration of the court in
determining issues of conservatorship and possession of and access to the child.‖ TEX. FAM.
CODE ANN. § 153.002 (Vernon 2008). Cases such as the case at bar are ―intensely fact driven,
which is why courts have developed best-interest tests that consider and balance numerous
factors.‖ Lenz v. Lenz, 79 S.W.3d 10, 18–19 (Tex. 2002); In re K.L.W., 300 S.W.3d 423, 425
(Tex. App.—Dallas 2009, no pet.).
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In reviewing a challenge to the legal sufficiency of the evidence, we must determine
whether the evidence, as a whole, would enable reasonable and fair-minded people to differ in
their conclusions. See OAIC Commercial Assets, L.L.C. v. Stonegate Village, L.P., 234 S.W.3d
726, 736 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2007, pet. denied). We view the evidence in the light favorable to
the findings, crediting favorable evidence if a reasonable fact-finder could, and disregarding
contrary evidence unless a reasonable fact-finder could not. City of Keller v. Wilson, 168 S.W.3d
802, 827 (Tex. 2005). Anything more than a scintilla of evidence is legally sufficient to support a
challenged finding. See OAIC Commercial Assets, 234 S.W.3d at 736.
When reviewing a factual insufficiency challenge, we consider all of the evidence and
determine whether the verdict is so contrary to the great weight and preponderance of the evidence
as to be manifestly unjust. See Corrales, 155 S.W.3d at 488–89.
We note the presumption that appointing a parent as conservator that is so strongly
embedded in Texas law is not implicated in this case, as a grandparent is the party involved. TEX.
FAM. CODE ANN. § 101.024 (Vernon 2008), § 153.433 (Vernon Supp. 2009); see Lewelling v.
Lewelling, 796 S.W.2d 164, 166 (Tex. 1990); Critz v. Critz, 297 S.W.3d 464, 468–71 (Tex.
App.—Fort Worth 2009, no pet.); In re B.B.M., 291 S.W.3d 463, 467 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2009,
pet. denied).
The critical issue remains, as in all decisions of this nature, the best interest of the children.
TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 153.002. Determining a minor‘s best interest requires the fact-finder to
21
review the possible benefits and detriments to the minor as enunciated in Holley, which we have
previously enumerated. Holley, 544 S.W.2d at 371–72; see In re C.A.M.M., 243 S.W.3d 211, 221
(Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2007, pet. denied).
In this case, the TDFPS relies on evidence of Patricia‘s behavior to show that the jury‘s
finding was supported by the evidence. There was evidence before the jury that on one occasion,
Patricia had left the children with Princess, against the express terms of the order, and had used
marihuana while so doing (the incident that immediately resulted in the children‘s removal by
TDFPS). There was also evidence Patricia had been arrested in 2002 and received deferred
adjudication for assault—but also that she had successfully completed the community supervision.
She had been working as a health care provider, with her sole client being her own aged mother.
That job had ended, and at the time of the hearing, she was unemployed.
The TDFPS also questioned Patricia about the loud and obnoxious behavior of two of her
nieces and her other daughter (Chaleta) while in her company at the local hospital—sufficient that
hospital personnel called the police, and about the behavior of Chaleta‘s son (a cousin to these
children) who cursed and allegedly threatened the TDFPS officer while she was removing the
children from Patricia‘s custody. (Specifically, the officer testified he was a ―young male that
addressed me as a bitch and said that he was going to whip my ass if I thought I was going to take
his cousins.‖) Chaleta approached the worker and apologized for her son‘s behavior—and
another man grabbed him and physically removed him from the area. The record also contains a
22
number of hypothetical questions by the TDFPS about how Patricia would react should the other
grandparents or one of the fathers appear (as there was evidently a substantial feud developed
between the families). The TDFPS attempted to show that Patricia had not attempted to protect
the worker or intervene in the situation. The evidence is inconsistent as to whether Patricia was
outside at the time. She testified that she only heard the commotion through the walls while she
was getting the children ready to be taken by the TDFPS and taking J.A.W. to the bathroom, but
the TDFPS worker testified Patricia was outside with the children at that time, and they had gone
back in afterward so J.A.W. could use the bathroom.
The TDFPS also argues Patricia had not sought adequate assistance for Princess. That
appears to be based on evidence that although Patricia acknowledged that Princess could not take
care of herself, she had nevertheless failed to seek help from a local group that assists the mentally
retarded, and did not get her into activities designed to help her with her domestic abuse situation.
The TDFPS also attempted to obtain testimony to cast doubt on Patricia‘s statements that she had
no alcohol or drug problem—and failed.
There was testimony that J.A.W. was having difficulties in school, and the TDFPS also
elicited testimony from Patricia showing that she had failed to get more involved in J.A.W.‘s
school activities or to attempt to help her to progress despite difficulties pointed out by her
teachers. There was also testimony that S.P.W. had lung problems from scar tissue, and required
monitoring for breathing-related problems—and prompt use of a nebulizer for care. When asked
23
about her plans for the children, she described the room she had ready for them, complete with
pink paint and stuffed animals, and how she wanted to take them home.
In contrast, there is testimony from Timika Wesley, a case manager for East Texas Child
Advocates. She was appointed by the trial court as the guardian ad litem for the children, and had
been involved with the case from February 2008. She testified she had attended every meeting
TDFPS had set up, every court appearance, had reviewed the notes made by the TDFPS workers,
the therapists, the medical notes about the children, and had talked with J.A.W., and had been in
their presence in a number of contexts. Wesley stated that she had testified in more than twenty
cases and that this was the only case in which she had not recommended termination. She
testified that Patricia‘s home was clean, well kept, that the older child did not act out while there
and that the caring relationship between Patricia and the children was obvious. She testified that
she had actually seen the children four or five times (including court appearances). She
acknowledged Patricia‘s use of marihuana, but also pointed out that it was a single mistake by
Patricia. When asked if Patricia had since taken and passed a hair follicle test, Wesley answered
―Yes.‖5 Wesley also testified that from her first meeting with TDFPS, she believed the TDFPS
never had any intention of returning the children and was seeking termination from the beginning.
Her testimony, as narrowed by cross-examination, was that she believed Patricia would be an
5
We recognize that the TDFPS promptly objected to that statement as not based on evidence before the court.
Although there was some discussion, and a reformulation of the question by counsel, the court did not rule on its
admissibility.
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appropriate caregiver for the children—and that none of the other individuals involved in this
action would be.
Evidence was placed before the jury that could have supported a variety of responses.
There was evidence which, if believed by the jury, would have supported a conclusion that Patricia
was a loving, reasonably capable caregiver for the children and that she had finally realized that
she simply could not, under any circumstances, leave Princess alone with the children. There was
evidence of drug use, but that evidence was of a single use, which the jury could have concluded
was the only time that mistake was made. There was evidence that much of the extended family
was destructive and combative and that Patricia nonetheless remained in their company—although
there was also evidence that she would control their access and proximity to the children. There
was evidence that she was unemployed, but looking for work, and that she had recently moved, but
that her new apartment had a room ready for the children. There was evidence that she loved the
children and would do what was best for them, but also evidence that she had not made efforts to
assist Princess in obtaining help, or J.A.W. in becoming more capable at school. There was
evidence that J.A.W. had seemed well-adjusted while at Patricia‘s home, but also evidence that
when she entered school at age six, she was only at about a three- to four-year age level of
capability, and emotionally uncontrolled—and that this improved when she went into foster care
and began having more directed training and assistance.
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The jury‘s role in this proceeding is to sort the wheat from the chaff and determine which
positions are viable. The court of appeals is not a fact-finder. Accordingly, we may not pass on
the witnesses‘ credibility or substitute our judgment for that of the jury, even if the evidence would
clearly support a different result. Mar. Overseas Corp. v. Ellis, 971 S.W.2d 402, 407 (Tex. 1998).
Under the applicable standards of review, we conclude the evidence is legally and factually
sufficient to support the jury‘s finding that Patricia should not be appointed sole managing
conservator of the children. See Corrales, 155 S.W.3d at 489–91 (concluding evidence legally
and factually sufficient to support jury‘s finding that TDFPS rather than children‘s grandmother
should be appointed sole managing conservator on termination of parents‘ parental rights). The
contention of error is overruled.
VI. BATSON CHALLENGE
Princess, Patricia, and Brandon all contend that the trial court committed reversible error
by overruling her Batson objection to strikes made by the TDFPS.
This argument by Princess and Brandon, however, is foreclosed by the fact that they did
not voice their own objections and because there was no ruling by the court that the objections of
one co-party were deemed joined by all. In such an instance, the claim of Batson error is not
preserved for review as to Princess or by Brandon, but is preserved as to Patricia, whose attorney
raised the objection. See Southwell v. Univ. of Incarnate Word, 974 S.W.3d 351, 353–54 (Tex.
App.—San Antonio 1998, pet. denied); Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corp. v. Malone, 916 S.W.2d
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551, 556 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1996), aff’d, 972 S.W.2d 35 (Tex. 1998); How Ins. Co.
v. Patriot Fin. Servs. of Tex., Inc., 786 S.W.2d 533, 544–45 (Tex. App.—Austin 1990, writ
denied), overruled on other grounds, 843 S.W.2d 464 (Tex. 1992); Frederick C. Moss,
RETHINKING TEXAS EVIDENCE RULE 103, 56 BAYLOR L. REV. 503, 539–40 (2004).
We now turn to a review of the Batson contention as presented on behalf of Patricia. In
Batson, the United States Supreme Court, under the Equal Protection Clause, prohibited the use of
racially discriminatory peremptory challenges by the State in an individual trial. In Edmonson v.
Leesville Concrete Co., 500 U.S. 614, 616 (1991), the right was extended to civil litigants. See
Powers v. Palacios, 813 S.W.2d 489, 491 (Tex. 1991).
Under Batson procedures, the opponent of the peremptory challenge must first establish a
prima facie case of racial discrimination, and the burden then shifts to the party who exercised the
strike to come forward with a race-neutral explanation; at the third step of the process, the trial
court must determine if the party challenging the strike has proven purposeful racial
discrimination, and the trial court may believe or not believe the explanation offered by the party
who exercised the peremptory challenge. Davis v. Fisk Elec. Co., 268 S.W.3d 508 (Tex. 2008).
In contrast to the federal system, which employs a ―clearly erroneous‖ standard of review,
we review a trial court‘s Batson ruling for abuse of discretion. Davis, 268 S.W.3d at 515. A trial
court abuses its discretion if its decision is arbitrary, unreasonable, and without reference to
guiding principles. Goode v. Shoukfeh, 943 S.W.2d 441, 446 (Tex. 1997). The Davis opinion
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relies heavily on the most recent United States Supreme Court decision on the issue, Miller-El v.
Dretke, 545 U.S. 231, 237 (2005). The Davis court recognized that the entirety of the situation
was to be reviewed in determining the Batson challenge, and pointed out the factors that were used
by the United States Supreme Court in Miller-El to assist in making its decision. Those factors
included an analysis of statistical data about the prosecution‘s use of its peremptory strikes (strikes
used to exclude ninety-one percent of the eligible African-American venire members), a
side-by-side comparison of the reasons given to strike black panelists and white panelists who
were allowed to serve despite similar situations, and other considerations not applicable here. Id.
at 260–63.
The Davis court also noted that a Batson challenge does not call for a ―mere exercise in
thinking up any rational basis‖ and that the prosecutor either stands or falls on the plausibility of
the reasons he or she gives—not on the basis of reasons substituted by the appellate court.
Miller-El, 545 U.S. at 251–52.
At the end of voir dire, Patricia raised the objection after the TDFPS struck the only two
African-American venire members. The TDFPS stated that as to the first juror, Chris Gray, the
strike was because Gray had indicated that she knew Princess, had watched her grow up, and knew
Patricia, and had been a friend for years.
Defense counsel argues that Gray‘s answers were somewhat different from those
recounted by the TDFPS—mainly because Gray made it clear that they had never been close
28
friends or visited in each other‘s homes, and because Gray had not seen them in the eight years
since Gray had moved away. She stated she had lost contact with Patricia, ―But every now and
then I run into her like in the mall. I‘ve watched those children grow up.‖ She knew Princess as
well, but she did not get together with Patricia as she was a busy single parent. When the children
graduated, ―I kind of went my way and she went her way.‖
Based on these answers, counsel argues that the court abused its discretion by overruling
the Batson challenge. He argues the TDFPS has failed to show that its strike was for race-neutral
reasons—and that its explanation was nothing more than a pretext for the strike, because Gray‘s
actual answers show that she was not a close friend of Patricia, had not seen her for over eight
years, and they did not see each other socially.
We disagree. Although the relationship was not close, the fact remained that there was a
degree of familiarity between Gray, Patricia, and Princess, they had at one time been neighbors,
and she knew both Princess and Patricia to some degree. It is viable, and not a racially based
explanation. We conclude the trial court did not abuse its discretion by overruling the Batson
challenge.
The prosecutor stated as to the second juror, Darwin Johnson, that he was concerned about
his answer to a question about domestic violence:
[By TDFPS:] And he answered that question in a very peculiar way, at least that I
found to be peculiar, and I noted so on my notes at the time that he answered that.
That he wouldn‘t hold it against a mother who was the victim of family violence --
Mr. Bratteli did ask this -- if it wasn‘t her fault for -- or something to that effect.
29
But he seemed to -- it just made a question in my mind as to like, well then does that
mean it‘s like it‘s okay under some circumstances to have family violence against a
spouse or a mother?
....
I don‘t know that, you know, he said that, but that was the implication I took
from it. And it‘s off the strength of that, given the nature that family violence is
just entwined so much in this case, that, you know, I felt like that was a good reason
to strike him.
When examined by defense counsel and questioned about whether other venire members
answered similarly, the TDFPS went on to testify that:
There was a couple other folks that did, but it was just the way that Mr. Johnson
answered that question that, you know, if she didn‘t cause -- if she wasn‘t at fault
for it, he wouldn‘t hold that against her. It‘s the way that he answered it that just
like really grabbed my attention. Because there again, as I just said it, seemed to
me by implication it was okay under some circumstances to have family violence.
The reason stated by counsel is race-neutral. The appellants argue that the record indicates that
other venire members gave similar answers and were treated differently than the African
American. ―‗Disparate treatment,‘ as such, cannot automatically be imputed in every situation
where one of the [TDFPS‘s] reasons for striking a venireperson would technically apply to another
venireperson whom the [TDFPS] found acceptable.‖ Cantu v. State, 842 S.W.2d 667, 689 (Tex.
Crim. App. 1992). ―[I]t is unlikely that two venirepersons on one panel will possess the same
objectionable attribute or character trait in precisely the same degree. Such qualitative
distinctions may cause a prosecutor to challenge one venireperson and not the other.‖ Id.
Furthermore, we give great deference to the trial court‘s decision on the issue of purposeful
30
discrimination because it requires an assessment of the credibility and content of the prosecutor‘s
reasons and all other relevant facts and circumstances. Alexander v. State, 866 S.W.2d 1, 8 (Tex.
Crim. App. 1993). We cannot clearly say from the words used that what he gleaned as Johnson‘s
intent is a correct understanding of his meaning. However, it is a possible meaning of his
statement, and counsel and the court had the opportunity to observe the witness‘ demeanor. In
such a situation, we cannot conclude that the trial court‘s decision was outside the scope of its
discretion. The point of error is overruled.
We affirm the judgment.
Jack Carter
Justice
Date Submitted: January 26, 2010
Date Decided: April 1, 2010
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