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COURT OF APPEALS
SECOND DISTRICT OF TEXAS
FORT WORTH
NO. 2-07-186-CV
IN THE INTEREST OF M.Y., A CHILD
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FROM THE 323RD DISTRICT COURT OF TARRANT COUNTY
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MEMORANDUM OPINION[1]
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Introduction
Appellants Mario Y. (Father) and Pamela Y. (Mother) appeal the trial court=s order terminating their parental rights to their child, M.Y. In two issues, Father argues that the evidence is legally and factually insufficient to support the trial court=s best interest finding. In three issues, Mother argues that the evidence is factually insufficient to support the trial court=s endangerment and best interest findings. We affirm.
Background Facts
Appellants married in 2002 and had a child, M.Y., on November 28, 2002. M.Y. tested positive for cocaine at birth. Father testified that he did not know Mother was using drugs at the time of M.Y.=s birth although he was aware that Mother was a recovering heroin addict. The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (TDFPS) became involved, and appellants agreed to place M.Y. with another family.[2] TDFPS wanted appellants to get drug treatment. Appellants, however, hired an attorney who advised them that they should go pick up M.Y. Appellants followed their attorney=s advice and retrieved M.Y. TDFPS closed the case.[3]
In the spring of 2003, TDFPS again became involved with the family after it received a report that M.Y. was not being properly supervised. Father testified that Mother had postpartum depression and was diagnosed as bipolar although the bipolar diagnosis was later dropped. Mother testified that she was not depressed or bipolar but that she had had a car accident, which prompted her to take pain medication. TDFPS closed the case.[4]
In the spring of 2004, TDFPS received another referral regarding M.Y.[5] Mother testified that she had been taking a lot of medications at that time and that she later admitted to Father that she was abusing her medications. TDFPS investigated, and the case was closed.[6]
Mother testified that she began using methamphetamines again in 2005. She admitted that she self-medicated while on Lithium, Zyprexa, and Xanax. Mother also admitted that she introduced Father to methamphetamines. Father and Mother testified that they had used illegal drugs together after M.Y.=s birth, but when they used illegal drugs, they left M.Y. with a babysitter.
In May 2005, TDFPS received another referral that M.Y. was unsupervised and eating dog food. Mother admitted to TDFPS that she was having problems with her medication. TDFPS investigated, and the case was closed.[7] Between May 2004 and August 2005, law enforcement arrested Mother four times for the offense of possession of a controlled substance.
In November 2005, when M.Y. was three years old, a fire broke out in appellants= home because the electric meter had been illegally Ajumped.@ Appellants and M.Y. were in the house when the fire started, but they escaped. The fire department and law enforcement responded to the emergency. After the police arrived, they arrested Mother on outstanding warrants for probation violations and drug possession charges and took her to jail. Father asked their neighbor, Rebecca Jones, to watch M.Y. so that he could bail Mother out of jail. Father called his mother-in-law=s boyfriend and asked him to pick up M.Y. At some point before Father returned, however, Jones left M.Y. unattended, and TDFPS was called and took possession of M.Y. Father testified that his mother-in-law tried to pick up M.Y., but TDFPS would not release him to her. When Father returned to his neighbor=s house to get M.Y., TDFPS told him that M.Y. had been removed because Father had abandoned him.
Father admitted that he told TDFPS investigators that he was not using drugs, even though he had been using. Mother was released from jail a couple of weeks after the arrest. While incarcerated, Mother met with a TDFPS investigator and admitted that she and Father were addicted to methamphetamines. Mother agreed to check into Springwood, a psychiatric facility, but after her release, she sought counseling services from Dr. Ronald Elkins, a counselor she had previously seen, instead.
TDFPS placed M.Y. with his maternal grandmother, Pamela C., from November 2005 until March 2006. Melissa Gordon, a TDFPS caseworker, received appellants= case in March 2006 while M.Y. lived with Pamela and appellants worked towards reunification. However, at some point in March 2006, Pamela refused to take a drug test, and she told TDFPS to come and get M.Y. Mother testified that she was aware that her mother had a history of alcohol and drug abuse, but she believed that Pamela was doing well when she named her mother as a placement for M.Y. TDFPS then sought removal of M.Y. from his grandmother=s home, and the trial court placed him in foster care.
Zeke Sanchez from TDFPS gave appellants a family service plan that included parenting classes, counseling, and drug treatment. Father and Mother chose to use their own service provider, Dr. Elkins. In March 2006, Father gave Sanchez papers from Dr. Elkins stating that Father had completed his service plan requirements; however, TDFPS discovered at a pretrial hearing that Dr. Elkins was a convicted felon and that he and Father had done drugs together. TDFPS also discovered that Father had sold drugs to Dr. Elkins. In March 2006, Father and Mother stopped seeing Dr. Elkins. Mother testified that she had no knowledge that Dr. Elkins and her husband had done drugs together. After Dr. Elkins=s drug use with Father was discovered, TDFPS established a new service plan with TDFPS service providers that required a psychological evaluation, a substance abuse assessment, counseling, parenting classes, and random drug tests.
In April 2006, police came to appellants= home and found methamphetamines. They arrested Father, but he was not prosecuted. Mother testified about another arrest of Father that also happened in the spring of 2006. Mother stated that she and Father visited her aunt at her aunt=s school. Officers searched them and found a knife and drugs on Father. They then arrested him.
Mother testified that she quit using methamphetamines in April 2006. In July 2006, Mother=s probation was revoked for failure to report, and she went back to jail. At the time of the termination trial in April 2007, Mother was incarcerated but expected to be released in July 2007. Since M.Y.=s birth, Mother had been in jail on thirteen occasions.
After TDFPS placed M.Y. in foster care, Father began counseling with Norma Bartholomew. Bartholomew testified that she was led to believe Father=s drug activity related more to selling drugs than using drugs. During this time, Father submitted to urinalysis and hair follicle tests. On July 28 and August 4, 2006, Father tested negative on two urinalysis tests. But on August 18, 2006, Father tested positive for marijuana on a urinalysis test. On October 31, 2006, Father tested positive for methamphetamines on a hair follicle test at a level that indicated he was a constant user, although the test provided for a ninety-day window. Father denied that he was currently using drugs and told Gordon that the positive test result pointed to earlier drug use. But Father admitted at trial that he was still using methamphetamines in October 2006. Father reported to TDFPS that he was working towards making M.Y. his sole priority, and Father=s caseworker and therapist supported his efforts. As a result, TDFPS extended Father=s visitation with M.Y. From December 2006 until February 2007, Father had unsupervised weekend visits with M.Y. Although alleged, Father denied that M.Y. rode unrestrained in his vehicle during those visits. Father also took M.Y. to visit Mother in jail. Father testified that he was not aware that he could not take M.Y. to visit Mother. TDFPS then told him not to take M.Y. to visit Mother in jail, and Father complied. Additionally, Father always returned M.Y. after his weekend visitations and was only late once because of bad weather and a flat tire.
In February 2007, Father again tested positive for methamphetamines after a hair follicle test, and TDFPS stopped Father=s extended visitation. Father then entered rehab. He testified at trial that he had stopped using drugs. Father also testified that, at the time of trial, he had a full-time job and also had his own business on the side. Father also stated that he had bought a home in November 2006. CASA Advocate Rebecca Trimble and Gordon both testified that Father=s home was nice and an appropriate living environment for M.Y. Father said that he always visited M.Y. and saw him as often as possible. Father also finished his parenting classes. Mother testified that Father had taken care of M.Y. when she was incarcerated and had been a protective parent. Mother stated that she would relinquish her parental rights if Father could keep M.Y.
Gordon left the employment of TDFPS in February 2006. She testified that Father never acknowledged methamphetamine use, but he did admit to marijuana use in August 2006. Gordon also stated that she did not believe appellants could provide an emotionally and physically safe environment for M.Y. because of their drug use.
Jeremy Ingram, another caseworker for TDFPS, received appellants= case from Gordon in March 2007. He testified that the status of appellants= case when he received it was that the permanency plan had changed from reunification to possible placement with relatives. If no possible relative placement was available, TDFPS planned to terminate appellants= parental rights.
Appellants provided several potential placements for M.Y. They identified M.Y.=s godparents and Mother=s aunt, Carmen Stevens, as potential placements, but both the godparents and Stevens refused. Stevens did not feel like her work situation allowed her to adequately care for a child. Stevens, who owned a house next to Father=s new house, testified at trial that she had observed a lot of people coming in and out of the residence. She also testified that strange cars stayed all night. Stevens stated that she visited Father while he had people in the house and that she saw pornography playing on every TV in the house. Stevens stated that the activity she observed did not occur on the weekends when M.Y. was present. M.Y. had his own room at Father=s house, but Stevens testified that the room was sometimes occupied by other people when M.Y. was not there. Stevens testified that Father loves M.Y., but Father=s choice of friends was not appropriate for a child. Stevens watched M.Y. while Father went to visit Mother in jail. She testified that she heard Father say that if he got M.Y., he would take the child to Mexico, but he was joking around.
Appellants also identified M.Y.=s aunt, Mariella Gutierrez, as a possible placement option for M.Y. At the time of trial, Gutierrez lived in San Antonio and taught fifth grade. TDFPS caseworker Sanchez initially contacted her as a possible placement for M.Y., and she testified that she was willing to have M.Y. placed with her if appellants were unable to care for him. Later, Gordon called Gutierrez about conducting a home study because appellants were still having difficulties. Gutierrez stated that she had five other people living in her house C her husband, two sons, and her sons= girlfriends. The home study required all of the family members to be available for a two-to-three hour visit, and Gutierrez said it took her a while to get a time slot available with everyone present. The caseworker met with Gutierrez and her family in September, but the interview ended after the caseworker asked if the family would be able to call the police if Father showed up to see M.Y. One of Gutierrez=s sons and Gutierrez=s husband said they could not call the police if Father came by their house and M.Y. was living with them. Ingram stated that TDFPS was concerned with Gutierrez=s unwillingness to call law enforcement on Father if necessary. Ingram also said that other family members in the household would not be able to prevent Father from seeing M.Y. Gutierrez testified that if the order prohibited visitation by Father, she would have complied for the safety of M.Y., but she felt like the question asking her if she would call the police if Father attempted to visit M.Y. was not clear.
Gutierrez stated that her family did not have a criminal history except for her husband. When he was twenty-eight, her husband took nunchucks to a bar, not knowing that they were illegal. Her husband was now forty-three and never had any other arrests. Gutierrez thought Father was doing well and therefore she did not attempt to follow-up after the interview in September. When Gutierrez found out that appellants were still having problems, she called Ingram to check on the situation. She testified that her family would have done whatever was necessary to keep M.Y. and even suggested her sister Mary Philips as a placement option. Gutierrez also stated that she was confident that Philips would have had a successful home study because she did not have any children and was looking forward to having M.Y.
In March 2007, Ingram initiated a home study on M.Y.=s aunt, Mary Philips, in Corpus Christi. Philips had managed an apartment complex; however, she had given up that position in early January 2007 to be available to take M.Y. She stated that she was aware of TDFPS= involvement at M.Y.=s birth, but she first heard that Father could lose custody of M.Y. when Gutierrez called her. Philips faxed a letter of intent to Sanchez and Gordon on January 16, 2007, stating that she wanted to be considered for placement. Two weeks later, Sanchez called Philips and interviewed her over the phone. On March 20, 2007, TDFPS sent a woman to interview Philips and her husband in their home. The subsequent home study report showed that there was a large amount of dog feces caked into the carpet and dead insects in the house. Additionally, the report indicated that there were registered sex offenders living in the area.
Philips testified about the condition of her apartment and admitted that, at that time, it was a Atotal disaster@ because the carpet was being replaced. She stated that her carpet was rolled up and ready to be removed because it had been damaged by a leaking water heater. Philips also said that pest control had sprayed earlier that day. Philips told the investigator about the circumstances surrounding the condition of her home. Philips also testified that two registered sex offenders lived in her apartment complex, and one of them was her next-door neighbor. Philips said she volunteered the information to Sanchez before the home study began, and Sanchez told her it was not a problem. She also said that she would move if she needed to in order to get M.Y. Ingram testified that there were some cleanliness concerns regarding Philips=s home.
Philips testified that she would follow whatever the court ordered concerning Father=s ability to see M.Y. because her main concern was M.Y. She stated that she had no problem calling the police if Father came by and he was not supposed to see M.Y. Philips said neither she nor her husband had any criminal history. They had been married for twenty-four years. They did not have any children, but Philips testified that she has several nieces and nephews that spend a lot of time with her and her husband. Philips also stated that she knew that Father struggled with drugs, but they kept separate lives so she did not know any details. Philips testified that she made it clear to Sanchez that she and her husband were willing to do whatever they needed to make sure their nephew did not get placed in foster care, including moving and giving up her four dogs. Philips did receive information that if she got M.Y., Father would come get him and leave the state. Philips testified that she confronted Father about it, and he denied ever saying that.
Rebecca Trimble, the CASA Advocate assigned to M.Y., also testified at the termination hearing. Trimble had been involved in M.Y.=s case since November 2005. Trimble attended several visitation sessions with appellants and M.Y. at the TDFPS office and also visited with them at their home. Trimble observed Mother visit M.Y. at a time when Mother had a staph infection. Trimble testified that Mother said she should not be around people and that Mother was more concerned about her latest condition than interacting with M.Y. She stated that Father never appeared intoxicated during visits, but Mother sometimes had slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, or trouble focusing. Trimble also testified that she believed appellants put their emotional needs ahead of M.Y.=s emotional needs, and because of their extended drug use, she recommended their parental rights be terminated.
The foster father, D.P., testified at the termination hearing. M.Y. came to live with D.P.=s family on May 25, 2006. D.P. and his wife have two daughters. D.P. testified that his daughters and M.Y. were extremely bonded, like brother and sisters. M.Y. has his own room at the foster family=s house as well as clothes and toys. D.P. testified that M.Y. was Afairly delayed@ developmentally when he first came to live with them. For example, D.P. testified that M.Y., at three-and-a-half years old, only knew one color, yellow, and he identified every color as yellow. M.Y. could say Aone, two, three@ and AA, B, C@ but had no concept of what the numbers or letters meant or what they looked like. D.P. also testified that M.Y. was diagnosed with reactive attachment disorder, which meant that M.Y. formed bonds with other people too easily. D.P. testified that M.Y. was never taught the stranger-danger concept, and if an adult showed him any attention or affection, M.Y. would walk off with that person. D.P. testified that it was hard to take M.Y. to a store because he had to hold M.Y.=s hand the entire time or he would wander off. D.P. also testified that he had taken M.Y. to a play therapist. The therapist gave the foster family things to work on with M.Y., such as the stranger-danger concept. In addition, D.P. testified that when M.Y. first came to their house, he would eat incessantly. D.P. stated that there were several times where M.Y. ate until his stomach was distended and he would vomit. D.P. also stated that M.Y. was enrolled in a classroom-style preschool and that he was doing very well. D.P. testified that over the past year, M.Y. had learned the concept of numbers, had learned his letters, and had learned the sounds that they make. D.P. also said that M.Y. can now write his name and point out other words that have an AM@ like McDonalds. D.P.=s oldest daughter helped M.Y. with his homework. M.Y. also turned food away and did not gorge himself anymore.
D.P. also testified that on one occasion when Father was returning M.Y. to D.P., M.Y. was upset, and D.P. overhead Father tell M.Y. not to worry, that it would all be over soon, and M.Y. would be coming home with Father or go to Aunt Mary=s, so either way they would be together all the time. D.P. also testified that a few times when Father returned M.Y., he noticed M.Y. standing next to Father in the van and not in a car seat. D.P. also stated that sometimes M.Y. would be cranky after visiting Father because he did not get enough rest, and he would hit and rough-house more. D.P. also said that M.Y. always cried when leaving Father, and D.P. could not deny that M.Y. and Father had a bond. D.P. testified that he and his wife would like to adopt M.Y.
On May 30, 2007, after the final termination hearing, the trial court terminated appellants= parental rights to their son, M.Y., by determining that appellants (1) knowingly placed or knowingly allowed M.Y. to remain in conditions which endangered his physical and emotional well-being and (2) engaged in conduct or knowingly placed M.Y. with persons who engaged in conduct which endangered his physical or emotional well-being and that (3) termination was in M.Y.=s best interest. The trial court also appointed TDFPS as permanent managing conservator. Appellants timely filed this appeal.
Statement of Points
As a preliminary matter, we address the State=s contention that appellants= issues in their statements of points and motions for new trial are too vague and lack specificity. Section 263.405(i) of the Texas Family Code provides,
The appellate court 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 or in a statement combined with a motion for new trial. For purposes of this subsection, a claim that a judicial decision is contrary to the evidence or that the evidence is factually or legally insufficient is not sufficiently specific to preserve an issue for appeal.[8]
The relevant portions of Father=s combined motion for new trial and statement of points allege that the evidence is legally and factually insufficient to support the trial court=s findings that (1) he knowingly placed or knowingly allowed M.Y. to remain in conditions or surroundings which endangered M.Y.=s physical or emotional well-being, (2) he engaged in conduct or knowingly placed M.Y. with persons engaged in conduct which endangered his physical or emotional well-being, and (3) termination of the parent-child relationship was in M.Y.=s best interest.
The relevant portions of Mother=s combined motion for new trial and statement of points allege that the evidence is factually insufficient to support the trial court=s findings that (1) she knowingly placed or knowingly allowed M.Y. to remain in conditions or surroundings which endangered M.Y.=s physical or emotional well-being, (2) she engaged in conduct or knowingly placed M.Y. with persons engaged in conduct which endangered his physical or emotional well-being, and (3) termination of the parent-child relationship was in M.Y.=s best interest.
Here, Father=s and Mother=s statements of points identify the trial court=s findings, outline the elements of those findings, and raise legal and factual insufficiency claims. Both appellants= statements of points were specific enough to allow the trial court to correct any erroneous findings on the challenged grounds. In re J.W.H., 222 S.W.3d 661, 662 (Tex. App.CWaco 2007, no pet.); In re A.J.H., 205 S.W.3d 79, 80 (Tex. App.CFort Worth 2006, no pet.). We therefore address Mother=s three factual sufficiency challenges to the endangerment findings under subsections (D) and (E) and best interest finding and Father=s legal and factual sufficiency challenges to the best interest finding.[9]
Standard of Review
A parent=s rights to Athe companionship, care, custody, and management@ of his or her children are constitutional interests Afar more precious than any property right.@ Santosky v. Kramer, 455 U.S. 745, 758-59, 102 S. Ct. 1388, 1397 (1982); In re M.S., 115 S.W.3d 534, 547 (Tex. 2003). AWhile parental rights are of constitutional magnitude, they are not absolute. Just as it is imperative for courts to recognize the constitutional underpinnings of the parent-child relationship, it is also essential that emotional and physical interests of the child not be sacrificed merely to preserve that right.@ In re C.H., 89 S.W.3d 17, 26 (Tex. 2002). In a termination case, the State seeks not just to limit parental rights but to end them permanentlyCto divest the parent and child of all legal rights, privileges, duties, and powers normally existing between them, except for the child=s right to inherit. Tex. Fam. Code Ann. ' 161.206(b) (Vernon Supp. 2007); Holick v. Smith, 685 S.W.2d 18, 20 (Tex. 1985). We strictly scrutinize termination proceedings and strictly construe involuntary termination statutes in favor of the parent. Holick, 685 S.W.2d at 20-21; In re E.M.N., 221 S.W.3d 815, 820 (Tex. App.CFort Worth 2007, no pet.).
In proceedings to terminate the parent‑child relationship brought under section 161.001 of the family code, the petitioner must establish one ground listed under subdivision (1) of the statute and must also prove that termination is in the best interest of the child. Tex. Fam. Code Ann. ' 161.001 (Vernon Supp. 2007); In re J.L., 163 S.W.3d 79, 84 (Tex. 2005). Both elements must be established; termination may not be based solely on the best interest of the child as determined by the trier of fact. Tex. Dep=t of Human Servs. v. Boyd, 727 S.W.2d 531, 533 (Tex. 1987).
Termination of parental rights is a drastic remedy and is of such weight and gravity that due process requires the petitioner to justify termination by clear and convincing evidence. Tex. Fam. Code Ann. '' 161.001, 161.206(a); In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d 256, 263 (Tex. 2002). This intermediate standard falls between the preponderance standard of ordinary civil proceedings and the reasonable doubt standard of criminal proceedings. In re G.M., 596 S.W.2d 846, 847 (Tex. 1980); In re C.S., 208 S.W.3d 77, 83 (Tex. App.CFort Worth 2006, pet. denied). It is defined as the Ameasure 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 (Vernon 2002).
Legal sufficiency
In reviewing the evidence for legal sufficiency in parental termination cases, we must determine whether the evidence is such that a fact-finder could reasonably form a firm belief or conviction that the grounds for termination were proven. In re J.P.B., 180 S.W.3d 570, 573 (Tex. 2005). We must review all the evidence in the light most favorable to the finding and judgment. Id. This means that we must assume that the fact-finder resolved any disputed facts in favor of its finding if a reasonable fact-finder could have done so. Id. We must also disregard all evidence that a reasonable fact-finder could have disbelieved. Id. We must consider, however, undisputed evidence even if it is contrary to the finding. Id. That is, we must consider evidence favorable to termination if a reasonable fact-finder could, and disregard contrary evidence unless a reasonable fact-finder could not. Id.
We must therefore consider all of the evidence, not just that which favors the verdict. Id. But we cannot weigh witness credibility issues that depend on the appearance and demeanor of the witnesses, for that is the fact-finder=s province. Id. at 573, 574. And even when credibility issues appear in the appellate record, we must defer to the fact-finder=s determinations as long as they are not unreasonable. Id. at 573.
Factual sufficiency
In reviewing the evidence for factual sufficiency, we must give due deference to the fact-finder=s findings and not supplant the judgment with our own. In re H.R.M., 209 S.W.3d 105, 108 (Tex. 2006). We must determine whether, on the entire record, a fact-finder could reasonably form a firm conviction or belief that the parent violated subsection (D) or (E) of section 161.001(1) and that the termination of the parent=s parental rights would be in the best interest of the child. C.H., 89 S.W.3d at 28.
Endangerment Findings
In Mother=s first and second issues, she argues that the evidence is factually insufficient to support the trial court=s determination that she (1) knowingly placed or knowingly allowed M.Y. to remain in conditions or surroundings that endangered his physical or emotional well-being and (2) engaged in conduct or knowingly placed M.Y. with persons who engaged in conduct that endangered his physical or emotional well-being.
Endangerment means to expose to loss or injury, to jeopardize. Boyd, 727 S.W.2d at 533; In re J.T.G., 121 S.W.3d 117, 125 (Tex. App.CFort Worth 2003, no pet.). Under subsection (D) of family code section 161.001(1), we must examine the evidence related to the environment of the child to determine if the environment was the source of the endangerment to the child=s physical or emotional well-being. J.T.G., 121 S.W.3d at 125; In re D.T., 34 S.W.3d 625, 632 (Tex. App.CFort Worth 2000, pet. denied). Conduct of a parent in the home can create an environment that endangers the physical or emotional well-being of a child. J.T.G., 121 S.W.3d at 125; In re W.S., 899 S.W.2d 772, 776 (Tex. App.CFort Worth 1995, no writ). For example, parental and caregiver illegal drug use and drug-related criminal activity support the conclusion that the child=s surroundings endanger his physical or emotional well-being. J.T.G., 121 S.W.3d at 125.
Under subsection (E), we must determine whether evidence exists that the endangerment of the child=s physical well-being was the direct result of the parent=s conduct, including acts, omissions, or failures to act. Id. Additionally, termination under section 161.001(1)(E) must be based on more than a single act or omission; a voluntary, deliberate, and conscious course of conduct by the parent is required. Tex. Fam. Code Ann. ' 161.001(1)(E); D.T., 34 S.W.3d at 634. However, it is not necessary that the parent=s conduct be directed at the child or that the child actually suffer injury. Boyd, 727 S.W.2d at 533; J.T.G., 121 S.W.3d at 125.
To determine whether termination is necessary under subsection (E), courts look to parental conduct before and after the child=s birth. J.T.G., 121 S.W.3d at 125; In re D.M., 58 S.W.3d 801, 812 (Tex. App.CFort Worth 2001, no pet.). A mother=s drug use during pregnancy may amount to conduct that endangers the physical and emotional well-being of the child. J.T.G., 121 S.W.3d at 125; In re K.M.B., 91 S.W.3d 18, 25 (Tex. App.CFort Worth 2002, no pet.). Additionally, drug addiction and its effect on a parent=s life and ability to parent may establish an endangering course of conduct as well. J.T.G., 121 S.W.3d at 125.
Imprisonment alone does not constitute endangering conduct, but it is a factor that the trial court can consider on the issue of endangerment. Boyd, 727 S.W.2d at 533-34; D.M., 58 S.W.3d at 812. The State, however, does not need to show that incarceration was a result of a course of conduct that endangered the child; it only needs to show incarceration was a part of a course of conduct that endangered the child. Id. Thus, if the evidence, including imprisonment, proves a course of conduct that has the effect of endangering the child, the requirement of subsection (E) is met. Boyd, 727 S.W.2d at 533-34; D.M., 58 S.W.3d at 812.
Analysis
The evidence shows that Mother continuously abused drugs, even during her pregnancy, and that M.Y tested positive for cocaine at birth. Mother also admitted to abusing her medications after M.Y.=s birth. Father testified that Mother was diagnosed with postpartum depression, chronic pain syndrome, and panic disorders. Mother stated that she was in a car accident, which necessitated her taking numerous medications, and she began to abuse her medications. Mother also testified that she began using methamphetamines in 2005. Mother admitted that she introduced Father to methamphetamines and that they would send M.Y. to a babysitter so that they could do drugs together. Between May 2004 and August 2005, police arrested Mother four times for the offense of possession of a controlled substance. After the house fire in November 2005, Mother admitted to TDFPS that she and Father were heavily addicted to methamphetamines and that she needed treatment because she could not care for M.Y. Mother, however, did not check herself into a hospital or drug rehab facility, but did visit her doctor.
While M.Y. was in foster care, Mother sometimes cooperated with TDFPS and sometimes did not. TDFPS caseworker Melissa Gordon testified that Mother was difficult to reach at times. On May 4, 2006, Mother submitted to a hair follicle test, and she tested positive for methamphetamines. The test indicated high usage on a daily basis. Mother also testified that she was doing drugs at the time of her substance abuse assessment in June 2006.
From M.Y.=s birth until the time of trial, Mother had been in jail a total of thirteen times on drug related offenses and probation violations. While incarcerated, Mother participated in CATS drug treatment, parenting classes, and Life Skills classes. Mother testified that she had not used drugs since she had been in jail. At the time of trial, Mother was incarcerated and expected to be released in July 2007.
The evidence shows that Mother=s continuously used drugs before and after M.Y.=s birth and that M.Y. was born with drugs in his system. Furthermore, she had been in jail on numerous occasions because of her drug abuse, and at the time of trial, was incarcerated. Mother=s continuous abuse of both prescription and illegal drugs threatened M.Y.=s physical and emotional well-being because her actions prevented M.Y. from being supervised properly and exposed M.Y. to an unhealthy environment. At the time of M.Y.=s removal, he was developmentally delayed, suffered from reactive attachment disorder, and was not well fed. But see In re D.J.J., 178 S.W.3d 424, 429-30 (Tex. App.CFort Worth 2005, no pet.) (holding evidence insufficient to prove endangerment because there was no evidence that parent=s drug use created a dangerous environment).
Viewing the evidence in a neutral light, we hold that the evidence is factually sufficient to support the trial court=s findings that Mother (1) knowingly placed or knowingly allowed M.Y. to remain in conditions or surroundings that endangered his physical or emotional well-being and (2) engaged in conduct or knowingly placed M.Y. with persons who engaged in conduct that endangered his physical or emotional well-being. Tex. Fam. Code Ann. ' 161.001(1)(D), (E). We overrule Mother=s first and second issues.
Best Interest Findings
In her third issue, Mother argues that the evidence is factually insufficient to show that termination of the parent-child relationship was in M.Y.=s best interest. In his first and second issues, Father argues that the evidence is legally and factually insufficient to show that termination of the parent-child relationship was in M.Y.=s best interest.
Applicable law
Prompt and permanent placement of the child in a safe environment is presumed to be in the child's best interest. Tex. Fam. Code Ann. ' 263.307(a) (Vernon 2002). There is also a strong presumption that keeping a child with a parent is in the child=s best interest. In re R.R., 209 S.W.3d 112, 116 (Tex. 2006). Nonexclusive factors that the trier of fact in a termination case may use in determining the best interest of the child 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 programs available to assist these individuals to promote the best interest of the child;
(6) the plans for the child by these individuals or by the agency seeking custody;
(7) the stability of the home or proposed placement;
(8) the acts or omissions of the parent which may indicate that 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, 544 S.W.2d 367, 371B72 (Tex. 1976).
These factors are not exhaustive; some listed factors may be inapplicable to some cases; other factors not on the list may also be considered when appropriate. C.H., 89 S.W.3d at 27. Furthermore, undisputed evidence of just one factor may be sufficient in a particular case to support a finding that termination is in the best interest of the child. Id. On the other hand, the presence of scant evidence relevant to each factor will not support such a finding. Id.
Evidence of appellants= relationship with M.Y. - the desires of the child
There is no evidence of M.Y.=s desires regarding placement or termination. At the time of the termination hearing, M.Y. was five years old and had been in foster care since he was four years old. Before living with D.P. and his family, M.Y. lived with his maternal grandmother. The record indicates that he had little contact with Mother, and there was no evidence that he had bonded with her.
The record shows that M.Y. bonded with Father, and M.Y. would often cry when leaving Father to return to the foster family. The record indicates, however, that M.Y. had also bonded with his foster family.
Evidence of drug use and unstable lifestyle - the emotional and physical needs and danger to M.Y. now and in the future
While appellants= history of drug use and conduct related to drug use support the trial court=s endangerment findings, this evidence is also relevant to a best interest determination. See D.M., 58 S.W.3d at 814. The record shows that appellants consistently used drugs before and after M.Y.=s birth and before and after his removal. They also had a criminal history as a result of their drug use, and at the time of trial, Mother remained incarcerated. Appellants= substance abuse led to criminal activity and also prevented appellants from supervising M.Y. properly. Additionally, M.Y. was developmentally behind, did not eat appropriately, and suffered from reactive attachment disorder. Appellants= drug use and criminal history support the trial court=s findings that termination of the parent-child relationship is in M.Y.=s best interest.
Evidence of appellants= efforts to comply with their service plan - parenting abilities of the individuals seeking custody
The record shows that appellants did not adequately complete their service plans. Appellants continued to use drugs and repeatedly lied about their drug usage. Mother had problems interacting with M.Y. in one visit and was incarcerated for most of the time after M.Y.=s removal. Although Father visited M.Y., he lost visitation rights because of his drug use. Additionally, the foster parent testified that he saw M.Y. riding with Father without a car seat, and there is evidence that Father=s home was an unsuitable environment for a child. Thus, this evidence also supports the trial court=s determination that termination was in M.Y.=s best interest.
Programs available to assist the parents to promote the best interest of M.Y.
The record shows that Mother participated in programs such as CATS and parenting classes after she was in jail, but there is no evidence that she participated in any programs available before she was incarcerated. Father also completed parenting classes. There is no other evidence in the record regarding the programs available to assist appellants.
Potential placement of M.Y. - the plans for M.Y. by the parents or TDFPS and the stability of the home or proposed placement
Appellants recommended Gutierrez and Philips as placement options for M.Y. After conducting home studies, TDFPS concluded that neither aunt was a suitable placement option. TDFPS claimed Gutierrez, M.Y.=s aunt from San Antonio, was not a suitable option because Gutierrez=s family was hesitant to call law enforcement if Father came by to see M.Y. in violation of a court order. Gutierrez testified that if the order prohibited Father from visiting M.Y., she would comply for the safety of M.Y., but she felt like the question asking her if she would contact the police if Father attempted to visit M.Y. was not clear.
TDFPS also found that Philips, M.Y.=s aunt from Corpus Christi, was not an adequate placement option because of concerns regarding the cleanliness of her apartment and the presence of sex offenders in her apartment complex. The home study report showed that there was a large amount of dog feces caked into the carpet and dead insects in the house; however, Philips testified that her apartment was a Atotal disaster@ because her carpet was in the process of being replaced and because the pest control had sprayed earlier in the day. From this testimony, the trial court, acting as the trier of fact and arbiter of witness credibility, could have disbelieved Gutierrez=s testimony regarding her resolve to keep Father from seeing M.Y. and could have also disbelieved Philips=s testimony regarding the condition of her apartment. See In re A.C., 758 S.W.2d 390, 394 (Tex. App.CFort Worth 1988, no writ).
The foster family desired to adopt M.Y. The evidence reflects that M.Y. has flourished with his foster family, bonding with D.P.=s daughters and overcoming developmental delays. M.Y.=s reactive attachment disorder has improved, and he no longer grossly overeats. We hold that the evidence on this factor also supports termination.
The acts or omissions of the parents which may indicate that the existing parent-child relationship is not a proper one - any excuse for the acts of omissions of the parent
Evidence of a parent=s unstable lifestyle can support a factfinder=s conclusion that termination is in the child=s best interest. S.B., 207 S.W.3d at 887. A parent=s drug use, inability to provide a stable home, and failure to comply with a family service plan support a finding that termination is in the best interest of the child. Id. at 887-88. The evidence shows that at the time of trial, Mother remained incarcerated due to drug use and Father was in rehab and had been unable to maintain a drug-free lifestyle.
Viewing all the evidence in the light most favorable to the judgment, we hold that the evidence is legally sufficient to support the trial court=s finding that termination of Father=s parental rights was in M.Y.=s best interest. See Tex. Fam. Code Ann. ' 161.001(2). We overrule Father=s first issue.
Viewing the same evidence in a neutral light, we hold that it is also factually sufficient to support the trial court=s findings that termination of appellants= parental rights was in M.Y.=s best interest. See id. We overrule Mother=s third issue and Father=s second issue.
Conclusion
Having overruled all of appellants= issues, we affirm the trial court=s judgment.
TERRIE LIVINGSTON
JUSTICE
PANEL F: LIVINGSTON, HOLMAN, and GARDNER, JJ.
DELIVERED: January 24, 2008
[1]See Tex. R. App. P. 47.4.
[2]The record indicates that appellants voluntarily agreed to place M.Y. with his godparents at TDFPS=s request. The record does not indicate whether TDFPS filed a petition or received temporary custody.
[3]The record does not indicate why TDFPS closed the case.
[4]The record does not indicate why TDFPS closed the case.
[5]The record does not indicate on what grounds the referral was based.
[6]The record does not indicate why TDFPS closed the case.
[7]The record does not indicate why TDFPS closed the case.
[8]Tex. Fam. Code Ann. ' 263.405(i) (Vernon Supp. 2007); In re S.B. & Y.B., 207 S.W.3d 877, 881-82 (Tex. App.CFort Worth 2006, no pet.); In re D.A.R., 201 S.W.3d 229, 230 (Tex. App.CFort Worth 2006, no pet.) (analyzing this statute).
[9]Even though Father raised sufficiency challenges to the trial court=s endangerment findings in his combined motion for new trial and statement of points, on appeal he challenges only the legal and factual sufficiency of the evidence to support the trial court=s best interest finding.