in the Interest of Z.W., a Child

IN THE
TENTH COURT OF APPEALS
No. 10-16-00015-CV
IN THE INTEREST OF Z.W., A CHILD
From the 74th District Court
McLennan County, Texas
Trial Court No. 2014-2176-3
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Cristina W. appeals from a judgment that terminated her parent-child relationship
with Z.W. See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 161.001 (West 2014). Cristina complains that the
evidence was legally and factually insufficient for the jury to have found that she
knowingly placed or allowed her child to remain in conditions or surroundings which
endangered the child's physical or emotional well-being, 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 that termination was in the best interest of
the child. Cristina also complains that the trial court abused its discretion in the
admission of evidence. Because we find that the evidence was legally and factually
sufficient as to one predicate ground and that termination was in the best interest of the
child, and the abuse of discretion in the admission of evidence, if any, was harmless, we
affirm the judgment of the trial court.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
In order to terminate the parent-child relationship, there must be clear and
convincing evidence that the parent committed one or more of the acts specifically set
forth in Family Code section 161.001(b)(1) and that termination is in the child's best
interest. See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. §§ 161.001(b)(1), (2), .206(a). Evidence is clear and
convincing if it "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.
Due process demands this heightened standard because of the fundamental interests at
issue. In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d 256, 263 (Tex. 2002).
In evaluating the legal sufficiency of the evidence in a case involving termination
of parental rights, we determine whether the evidence is such that a factfinder could
reasonably form a firm belief or conviction that the challenged ground for termination
was established. In re J.P.B., 180 S.W.3d 570, 573 (Tex. 2005) (citing In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d
at 264-66). We review all the evidence in the light most favorable to the finding and
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judgment. Id. We resolve any disputed facts in favor of the finding if a reasonable
factfinder could have done so and disregard all evidence that a reasonable factfinder
could have disbelieved. Id. However, we must consider undisputed evidence even if it
is contrary to the finding. Id. That is, we consider evidence favorable to termination if a
reasonable factfinder could, and we disregard contrary evidence unless a reasonable
factfinder could not. Id.
In reviewing the factual sufficiency of the evidence, we must give due
consideration to evidence that the factfinder could reasonably have found to be clear and
convincing. In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d at 266. We are required to consider the disputed
evidence and determine whether a reasonable factfinder could have resolved that
evidence in favor of the finding. Id. "If, in light of the entire record, the disputed evidence
that a reasonable factfinder could not have credited in favor of the finding is so significant
that a factfinder could not reasonably have formed a firm belief or conviction, then the
evidence is factually insufficient." Id.
In assessing the sufficiency of the evidence under the foregoing standards, we
cannot weigh witness-credibility issues that depend on the appearance and demeanor of
the witnesses, for that is the factfinder's exclusive province. Instead, we defer to the
factfinder's credibility determinations as long as they are not unreasonable. In re J.P.B.,
180 S.W.3d at 573-74.
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In this proceeding, the jury found that Cristina had (1) knowingly placed or
allowed her child to remain in conditions or surroundings which endangered the child's
physical or emotional well-being and (2) 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. TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 161.001(1)(D) & (O). The jury also found that termination
of the parent-child relationship was in the best interest of the child. TEX. FAM. CODE ANN.
§ 161.001(2).
In issues one and two, Cristina complains that the evidence was legally and
factually insufficient for the jury to have found by clear and convincing evidence that she
knowingly placed or knowingly allowed Z.W. to remain in conditions or surroundings
which endangered his physical or emotional well-being. See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. §
161.001(b)(1)(D). In issues three and four, Cristina complains that the evidence was
legally and factually insufficient for the jury to have found that she failed to comply with
the provisions of a court order that specifically established the actions necessary for her
to obtain the return of Z.W., that is, that she failed to complete her service plan. See TEX.
FAM. CODE ANN. § 161.001(b)(1)(O).
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Only one ground under section 161.001(b)(1) is necessary to support a judgment
in a parental-rights termination case. In re A.V., 113 S.W.3d 355, 362 (Tex. 2003).
Therefore, when termination is based on multiple grounds under section 161.001(b)(1),
as in this proceeding, we must affirm the termination order if the evidence is sufficient to
support any one of the grounds found by the trial court and the best-interest finding. Id.
SECTION 161.001(b)(1)(D)
The jury found that Cristina had knowingly placed or knowingly allowed Z.W. to
remain in conditions or surroundings which endangered his physical or emotional well-
being. TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 161.001(b)(1)(D). To endanger means to expose to loss or
injury, to jeopardize. Texas Dep't Human Servs. v. Boyd, 727 S.W.2d 531, 533 (Tex. 1987);
see also In re M.C., 917 S.W.2d 268, 269 (Tex. 1996). The specific danger to a child's physical
or emotional well-being need not be established as an independent proposition, but it
may be inferred from parental misconduct. See Boyd, 727 S.W.2d at 533.
When termination of parental rights is based on Subsection D of Section
161.001(b)(1), the endangerment analysis focuses on the evidence of the child's physical
environment, although the environment produced by the conduct of the parents bears on
the determination of whether the child's surroundings threaten his well-being. Jordan v.
Dossey, 325 S.W.3d 700, 721 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2010, pet. denied) (citing In
re S.M.L., 171 S.W.3d 472, 477 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2005, no pet.). Subsection
D permits termination if the petitioner proves parental conduct caused a child to be
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placed or to remain in an endangering environment. In re R.D., 955 S.W.2d 364, 367 (Tex.
App.—San Antonio 1997, pet. denied).
It is not necessary that the parent's conduct be directed towards the child or that
the child actually be injured; rather, a child is endangered when the environment creates
a potential for danger which the parent is aware of but disregards. In re S.M.L., 171
S.W.3d at 477. Conduct that demonstrates awareness of an endangering environment is
sufficient to show endangerment. Id. Subsection D permits termination based upon only
a single act or omission. In re R.D., 955 S.W.2d at 367.
Z.W. was five years old at the time of his removal from Cristina. Cristina testified
that her cell phone was not working because she had not paid the bill and she needed to
make a phone call to request a medication refill for a prescription medication she was
taking. Cristina's residence was on the Texas State Technical College's campus. Cristina
left the residence to go to the student services building to make the phone call. Cristina
testified that she believed that Z.W. was very ill and so she left him sleeping at home
alone while she went to make the phone call. Cristina was gone for over an hour when a
maintenance worker for TSTC entered the residence to make some repairs and
discovered Z.W. home alone.
Cristina was arrested for endangering Z.W. and pled guilty to that offense during
the pendency of these proceedings. Cristina was placed on deferred adjudication
community supervision as a result of her plea. Cristina's judicial confession entered in
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that proceeding admitted that she abandoned Z.W. "in a place under circumstances that
exposed Z.W. to an unreasonable risk of harm."
We find that Cristina's conduct in leaving five-year-old Z.W. at home alone while
he was sick, which she judicially admitted endangered Z.W., renders the evidence legally
and factually sufficient to show that on the date of Z.W.'s removal from Cristina, Cristina
knowingly allowed Z.W. to remain in surroundings which endangered his well-being.
We overrule issues one and two.
Because we have found the evidence was legally and factually sufficient as to one
predicate ground, we do not reach issues three and four.
BEST INTEREST
In her fifth and sixth issues, Cristina complains that the evidence was legally and
factually insufficient for the jury to have found that the termination of the parent-child
relationship was in the best interest of Z.W. In determining the best interest of a child, a
number of factors have been considered, including (1) the desires of the child; (2) the
emotional and physical needs of the child now and in the future; (3) the emotional and
physical danger to the child now and in the future; (4) the parental abilities of the
individuals seeking custody; (5) the programs available to assist these individuals; (6) the
plans for the child by these individuals; (7) the stability of the home; (8) the acts or
omissions of the parent that may indicate the existing parent-child relationship is not a
proper one; and (9) any excuse for the acts or omissions of the parent. Holley v. Adams,
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544 S.W.2d 367, 371-72 (Tex. 1976). This list is not exhaustive, but simply indicates factors
that have been or could be pertinent. Id.
The Holley factors focus on the best interest of the child, not the best interest of the
parent. Dupree v. Tex. Dep't Prot. & Reg. Servs., 907 S.W.2d 81, 86 (Tex. App.—Dallas 1995,
no writ). The goal of establishing a stable permanent home for a child is a compelling
state interest. Id. at 87. The need for permanence is a paramount consideration for a
child's present and future physical and emotional needs. In re S.H.A., 728 S.W.2d 73, 92
(Tex. App.—Dallas 1987, writ ref'd n.r.e.) (en banc).
Cristina had been suffering from mental health issues including bipolar disorder,
depressive disorder, anxiety disorder with panic attacks, and borderline personality
disorder for many years. Cristina told the investigator that she was not taking her
prescribed medications when she left Z.W. alone on the day he was removed. During the
pendency of the case, there were difficulties with having a psychiatric evaluation
completed due to Cristina's incarceration and a lack of approved providers in the Waco
area. An evaluation was ultimately completed, although the psychiatrist had difficulty
with Cristina being candid during his interview. The psychiatrist found that Cristina did
not have the ability to parent a child safely and was not likely to be successful in mental
health treatment because of her personality and behavior patterns. The psychiatrist did
not believe that Cristina should have unsupervised contact with Z.W. and was concerned
about her drastic mood swings. Although Cristina claimed to be taking her prescribed
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medications, the psychiatrist was concerned that she had not been evaluated for
medication for some time and it was unclear whether the prescribed doses were
appropriate or needed to be adjusted.
Cristina met with four counselors during the pendency of these proceedings. Her
most recent counselor testified that even if Cristina's mood disorders were treatable with
medication, Cristina was still not an appropriate parent for Z.W. Cristina contended that
the Department's reports were false and initially denied knowing why she had to attend
counseling at all. The last counselor testified that she believed termination was in the
best interest of Z.W.
During visits with Z.W., Cristina regularly violated the Department's rules
regarding appropriate behavior during visits and many of the visits were terminated due
to these violations. Cristina also would discuss inappropriate things with Z.W. at visits,
and Z.W.'s behavior worsened after his visits with his mother. Cristina would also
become loud and upset during visits which would upset Z.W. as well. After a visit, Z.W.
would inform his foster parent that he did not have to comply with rules because his
mother said so. After a visit where Cristina was observed whispering to Z.W. on multiple
occasions, Z.W. was hospitalized for behavioral issues. On Cristina's last visit with Z.W.,
Cristina yelled at Z.W. which made him cry for approximately 15 minutes. Later in that
visit, when Z.W. mentioned his paternal grandmother with whom he was close, Cristina
grabbed Z.W. and told him that he had been lied to regarding who his father was and
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that she and one other person were his only family, not his grandmother. After the visit,
Z.W. threatened to burn down his foster home, threatened to kill the other children in the
home, and ran away. When the police arrived, Z.W. threw rocks at them. This resulted
in a second hospitalization and Z.W. had to be moved to another foster home.
Z.W. was then placed in a foster home in the Rio Grande Valley where he remained
at the time of the trial. The foster parent testified that he was doing well in his placement
and was doing well at school. He was participating in extracurricular activities which he
enjoyed. The foster parents had discussed adopting Z.W. but had not made a decision at
the time of the trial.
Z.W. had been attending therapy since his placement in the last foster home and
his therapist stated that he had made great progress. At one point, Z.W.'s therapist had
spoken with Cristina regarding reestablishing visitation, but based off of that
conversation recommended that no contact be allowed. Z.W.'s therapist agreed that
termination was in Z.W.'s best interest.
Cristina completed parenting classes and an anger management course as part of
her service plan. Cristina had a stable residence and was receiving SSI disability
payments on a monthly basis. Cristina blamed her difficulties on the Department and
the other parties involved in the case and ultimately acknowledged before the jury that
she should not have left Z.W. alone, although previously she had minimized her actions
to others. Cristina contended that she only plead guilty because she was advised that she
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needed to get the criminal case resolved as soon as possible. It appears from the record
that Cristina made several outbursts in front of the jury during the trial as well.
Considering the Holley factors and the appropriate legal standards, we find that
the evidence was legally and factually sufficient for the jury to have found that
termination of the parent-child relationship was in the best interest of Z.W. We overrule
issues five and six.
ADMISSION OF EVIDENCE
In her seventh issue, Cristina complains that the trial court abused its discretion
by admitting testimony regarding two separate incidents that occurred between Cristina
and an employee of the Department and between Cristina and Z.W.'s therapist in the
hallway during the trial. Cristina argues that the evidence was inadmissible pursuant to
Rules 401, 403, and 404 of the Rules of Evidence.
The first incident took place in the hallway at the end of the first day of trial. The
Department's employee had observed several visits between Cristina and Z.W. in the
early stages of the proceeding. The employee testified that when Cristina left the
courtroom, she was angry and approached the employee. The employee stated that
Cristina called her a "lying bitch" and hit her in the arm as she pushed by her to go into
the restroom.
Even if we assume without deciding that the trial court abused its discretion in
admitting the testimony, reversal would be warranted "only if the error probably caused
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the rendition of an improper judgment." Bay Area Healthcare Grp., Ltd. v. McShane, 239
S.W.3d 231, 234 (Tex. 2007); see TEX. R. APP. P. 44.1(a)(1). "We review the entire record,
and require the complaining party to demonstrate that the judgment turns on the
particular evidence admitted." Nissan Motor Co. v. Armstrong, 145 S.W.3d 131, 144 (Tex.
2004). "Thus, if erroneously admitted or excluded evidence was crucial to a key issue,
the error was likely harmful." Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. v. Sevcik, 267 S.W.3d 867, 873
(Tex. 2008). This testimony was a very small portion of the record and there was
substantial other evidence of Cristina's emotional outbursts both testified to by the
witnesses and made directly by Cristina during the trial before the jury. We do not find
that the admission of this evidence was harmful.
The second incident took place as Z.W.'s therapist was attempting to leave after
her testimony. Cristina approached the therapist and confronted her about her opinion
that she should not have visitation with Z.W. after their phone conversation. Cristina did
not threaten the therapist but was clearly upset and angry. This confrontation was
described by a Department supervisor and the security officer who ensured that the
therapist was able to leave the courthouse without further incident.
Cristina objected to the testimony of the Department's supervisor but did not
object to the testimony of the security officer, which were largely cumulative of each
other. The erroneous admission is harmless if the evidence is merely cumulative of
evidence admitted elsewhere at trial. Nissan Motor Co., 145 S.W.3d at 144. "Application
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of this rule requires an assessment of whether the subsequently admitted evidence is
sufficiently similar to the objected-to evidence so as to render admission of the objected-
to evidence harmless." In re E.A.K., 192 S.W.3d 133, 148 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.]
2006, pet. denied.). We overrule issue seven.
CONCLUSION
Having found no reversible error, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
TOM GRAY
Chief Justice
Before Chief Justice Gray,
Justice Davis, and
Justice Scoggins
Affirmed
Opinion delivered and filed July 13, 2016
[CV06]
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