DocketNumber: No. 05-08-00001-CV
Judges: Wright
Filed Date: 2/23/2009
Status: Precedential
Modified Date: 11/14/2024
OPINION
Opinion by
Mother appeals from the trial court’s order terminating her parental rights to her three children. Mother is represented on appeal by court-appointed counsel who has filed an Anders brief on her behalf concluding that, after thorough review of the record, Mother’s appeal of the termination of her parental rights is frivolous and without merit. See Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738, 87 S.Ct. 1396, 18 L.Ed.2d 493 (1967).
This Court has not previously addressed the propriety of filing an Anders
Following a bench trial, the trial court terminated Mother’s parental rights to her three children. One of Mother’s children, D.D., suffered a severe skull fracture and fifteen rib fractures. D.D. was just two months old at the time of her injuries. Throughout the process, both Mother and D.D.’s Father
In reviewing an Anders brief, this Court is not required to review the merits of each claim raised in the brief or a pro se response. Bledsoe v. State, 178 S.W.3d 824, 827 (Tex.Crim.App.2005). Rather, this Court’s duty is to determine whether there are any arguable grounds for reversal and, if there are, to remand the case to the trial court so that new counsel may be appointed to brief the issues. Id. The Anders brief filed by appellant’s counsel presents a professional evaluation of the record demonstrating why there are no arguable grounds for reversal.
. Father’s parental rights were also terminated. Although Father filed a notice of appeal, he did not pursue his appeal any further.
. Counsel for Mother conducted a thorough review of the record. She conducted a thorough analysis of the legal and factual sufficiency of the evidence with regard to whether: (1) Mother knowingly placed or knowingly allowed the children to remain in conditions or surroundings that endangered the physical or emotional well-being of the children; (2) Mother engaged in conduct or knowingly placed the children with persons who engaged in conduct that endangered the physical or emotional well-being of the children; and (3) termination was in the children’s best interest.