IN THE
TENTH COURT OF APPEALS
No. 10-10-00365-CV
IN THE INTEREST OF H.N.J., J.M.S., J.A.R.,
J.A.R., AND J.R., CHILDREN
From the County Court at Law No. 1
Johnson County, Texas
Trial Court No. D200800157
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Jesse R. appeals from a judgment terminating his parental rights to his children,
J.A.R., J.A.R., and J.R. Jesse complains that section 263.405 is unconstitutional as
applied to him and that the evidence was legally and factually insufficient to terminate
his parental rights. We affirm.
CONSTITUTIONALITY OF SECTION 263.405
Jesse complains that section 263.405 of the Texas Family Code is unconstitutional
as applied to him because his appellate counsel was not appointed until after the
deadline for filing the statement of points had passed. His appellate counsel filed a
statement of points and motion for extension of time pursuant to rule 5 of the Texas
Rules of Civil Procedure, which the trial court granted. Neither party challenges the
propriety of the trial court’s allowance of the statement of points. Additionally, Jesse
does not raise any issue that he has been precluded from making to this Court.
Jesse has not shown what harm he suffered as a result of the statute’s operation.
Jesse’s appeal was determined not to be frivolous and he was provided a copy of the
entire record for purposes of appeal. Jesse has not identified any issue that he would
have raised if counsel had been appointed sooner and that was not included in his
statement of points on appeal. Without a showing of harm, we cannot review the
constitutionality of a statute. See In re D.J.R., 319 S.W.3d 759, 765-66 (Tex. App.—El
Paso 2010, pet. denied); Walker v. Tex. Dep't of Family & Protective Servs., 312 S.W.3d 608,
620, 625 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2009, pet. denied). We overrule issue one.
SUFFICIENCY OF THE EVIDENCE
In his second issue, Jesse complains that the evidence was legally and factually
insufficient to terminate his parental rights because the evidence was insufficient to
establish abuse or neglect directed toward J.A.R., J.A.R., or J.R. and there was
insufficient evidence to prove that termination was in the best interest of the children.
The trial court found that Jesse had committed the acts in section 161.001(1)(D) & (E)
and that termination was in the best interest of the children.
Standard of Review
Grounds for termination must be established by clear and convincing evidence.
This requires a 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.
In the Interest of H.N.S., J.M.S., J.A.R., J.A.R., and J.R. Page 2
CODE ANN. § 101.007 (Vernon 2008). There is a strong presumption that it is in the
child’s best interest to remain with the natural parent. In re R.R., 209 S.W.3d 112, 116
(Tex. 2006).
In a legal sufficiency review, we look at all the evidence in the 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. In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d 256,
266 (Tex. 2002). In doing so, we must assume that the factfinder resolved disputed facts
in favor of its finding if a reasonable factfinder could do so, and we disregard all
evidence that a reasonable factfinder could have disbelieved or found to have been
incredible. Id.
In a factual sufficiency review, we must give due consideration to evidence that
the trier of fact could reasonably have found to be clear and convincing. Id. We must
determine whether the evidence is such that the factfinder could reasonably have
formed a firm belief or conviction regarding the allegations. Id. We must also consider
whether the disputed evidence is such that a reasonable factfinder could not have
resolved that disputed evidence in favor of its finding. Id. To determine if the evidence
is factually sufficient, we give due deference to the trial court’s findings and determine
whether, on the entire record, the trial court could reasonably form a firm conviction or
belief that the parent committed an act that would support termination and that
termination of the parent's parental rights would be in the child’s best interest. In re
C.H., 89 S.W.3d 17, 28 (Tex. 2002).
In the Interest of H.N.S., J.M.S., J.A.R., J.A.R., and J.R. Page 3
Only one ground of termination is necessary for a judgment of termination when
there is also a finding that termination is in the child’s best interest. In re A.V., 113
S.W.3d 355, 362 (Tex. 2003).
Section 161.001(1)(E)
Section 161.001(1)(E) of the Texas Family Code requires clear and convincing
proof that the parent “engaged in conduct or knowingly placed the child with persons
who engaged in conduct which endangers the physical or emotional well-being of the
child.” TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 161.001(1)(E) (West 2008). This section refers not only to
the parent’s acts, but also to the parent’s omissions or failures to act. In re J.A., 109
S.W.3d 869, 875 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2003, pet. denied). Endanger means “to expose to
loss or injury; to jeopardize.” In re M.C., 917 S.W.2d 268, 269 (Tex. 1996). Although
endanger means more than a threat of physical injury or the possible ill effects of a less-
than-ideal family environment, it is not necessary that the conduct be directed at the
child or that the child actually suffers injury. Id. The Department need not establish the
specific danger to the child's well-being as an independent proposition; the danger may
be inferred from parental misconduct. Phillips v. Tex. Dep't of Protective & Regulatory
Servs., 149 S.W.3d 814, 817 (Tex. App.—Eastland 2004, no pet.).
Factual Background
The Department became involved with the family due to an allegation that Jesse
had slapped and pushed H.N.S., Jesse’s five year old step-child.1 The investigation
1 The mother of all five children, Melissa, resided in the home with Jesse and the children at the time of
the removal. Melissa signed a voluntary affidavit of relinquishment and her parental rights had been
already terminated at the time of the final hearing pursuant to an order of termination.
In the Interest of H.N.S., J.M.S., J.A.R., J.A.R., and J.R. Page 4
established that H.N.S., who was not the biological child of Jesse, was forced to live in
an unventilated, unlit closet measuring approximately six feet by eight feet whenever
Jesse was home. There was only a small baby blanket for bedding, one plastic chair, a
laundry basket with dirty clothes that reeked of urine, carpet that was filthy and
smelled of urine, and an empty bottle. A bookshelf would be pushed up against the
closet door in order to keep H.N.S. in the closet. Additionally, H.N.S. was covered in
ant bites that she had received while in the closet, she was forced to urinate in the bottle
located in the closet, and was forced to stand up while eating. She was very dirty as
well.
A second step-child of Jesse’s, J.M.S., knew that H.M.S. was sent to the closet and
showed the investigators the space and the bottle in which H.M.S. would urinate in the
closet. J.M.S. was approximately a year younger than H.M.S. The children were
removed from the home and initially placed pursuant to a safety plan with the maternal
grandmother. This placement was terminated after H.M.S. was bruised by the maternal
grandmother while being spanked with a belt, in violation of the Department’s policies
against physical discipline. The children were then placed with the paternal
grandparents pursuant to another safety plan; however, that placement was terminated
when it was discovered that the paternal grandmother allowed unsupervised access to
the children by the parents, used physical discipline on H.M.S., and allowed their son
who was a registered sex offender into their home with the children present.
Jesse contends that the Department was required to establish that each of the
children were abused or neglected in order to terminate his rights. However, Jesse
In the Interest of H.N.S., J.M.S., J.A.R., J.A.R., and J.R. Page 5
provides no authority to support this contention. At trial and on appeal, his argument
against termination was that while he did abuse another child in the home, he would
never have treated his biological children in the same manner.
However, the manner in which a parent treats other children in the family can be
considered in deciding whether that parent engaged in a course of conduct that
endangered the physical or emotional well-being of a child. Cervantes-Peterson v. Tex.
Dep't. of Family and Protective Servs., 221 S.W.3d 244, 253 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.]
2006, no pet.). A number of courts of appeals, including this one, have also held that
evidence of a parent’s endangering conduct toward other children or family members is
relevant to a determination of whether the parent engaged in behavior that endangered
the child subject of the suit. See, e.g., In re D.L.N., 958 S.W.2d 934, 939 (Tex. App.—Waco
1997, pet. denied) disapproved on other grounds by In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d 256, 267 (Tex.
2002) and In re C.H., 89 S.W.3d at 26 (holding that a parent’s neglect of older children
could indicate that the child the subject of the suit “would face this type of treatment in
the future if returned” to the parent); In re Baby Boy R., 191 S.W.3d 916, 925 (Tex. App.—
Dallas 2006, pet. denied) (holding that a parent's guilty plea of aggravated sexual
assault of his step-daughter was evidence of conduct endangering to the well-being of
his unborn child); In re W.J.H., 111 S.W.3d 707, 716 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2003, pet.
denied) (holding that abusive conduct toward other children “can be used to support a
finding of endangerment even against a child who was not yet born.”). Thus, any
abusive or neglectful conduct by Jesse toward J.A.R., J.A.R., and J.R.’s older sibling,
In the Interest of H.N.S., J.M.S., J.A.R., J.A.R., and J.R. Page 6
H.N.S., is relevant in an inquiry to determine whether Jesse’s parental rights to the
children should be terminated under section 161.001(1)(E).
There was testimony from caseworkers at the Department that there was a
likelihood that all of the children were at risk for future abuse similar to that which
H.N.S. suffered because the younger children were beginning to show the same
behaviors which led to Jesse’s frustration with H.N.S. At the time of the trial, Jesse was
incarcerated because he had pled guilty to endangering a child for the egregious
treatment of H.N.S. Jesse further testified that he had an anger problem, which he
contended was addressed through an anger management course he took while in
prison.
There was conflicting testimony regarding whether Jesse’s biological children
were aware of the abuse perpetrated against H.N.S. However, H.N.S.’s next older
sibling, J.M.S., who was also not Jesse’s biological child, was fully aware of the
treatment of H.N.S. and that it was used as punishment by Jesse. While in foster care,
J.M.S. would state that H.N.S. needed to go to the closet when she was in trouble. J.A.R.
and J.A.R. were in the home during some of the time during the abuse, and although it
appears that they were very young, there was testimony that they may have been able
to perceive to some extent the trauma suffered by H.S.N. due to Jesse’s cruel treatment.
J.R. was born in the weeks prior to the removal of the children and thus, not presently
affected.
Further, Jesse was serving a twenty-four month sentence in the state jail for the
endangerment charge, but additionally a ten year community supervision for felony
In the Interest of H.N.S., J.M.S., J.A.R., J.A.R., and J.R. Page 7
DWI he was serving was revoked and he was sentenced to eight years in prison for that
offense. That sentence was being served concurrently with the endangerment sentence,
and Jesse expected to be released on parole almost immediately after the termination
hearing. Until the time of his release, he intended to place the children with his parents,
from whom the children had previously been removed.
Using the appropriate standards as set forth above, we find that the evidence
was both legally and factually sufficient for the trial court to have determined that Jesse
engaged in a course of conduct that endangered the physical or emotional well-being of
the children.
Best Interest of the Children
To terminate the parent-child relationship, the trial court must also find that
termination is in the best interest of the children. Tex. Dep't of Human Servs. v. Boyd, 727
S.W.2d 531, 533 (Tex. 1987). When reviewing the sufficiency of the best-interest
evidence, we apply the nonexclusive factors found in Holley v. Adams, 544 S.W.2d 367,
371-72 (Tex. 1976). These factors include (1) the desires of the children, (2) the
emotional and physical needs of the children now and in the future, (3) the emotional
and physical danger to the children 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 children, (6) the plans for the children 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 that may indicate that the existing
parent-child relationship is not a proper one, and (9) any excuse for the acts or
In the Interest of H.N.S., J.M.S., J.A.R., J.A.R., and J.R. Page 8
omissions of the parents. Id. The Department need not prove all of these factors. In re
C.H., 89 S.W.3d at 27. In an appropriate case, proof of just one factor may be sufficient.
Id.
Jesse contends that the evidence before the trial court consisted almost entirely of
contradictory opinions regarding the best interest of the children; however, he does not
explain what those contradictions were. The testimony from each of the witnesses
except for Jesse was that termination was in the best interest of the children.
Jesse further contends that the basis for the opinions regarding best interest was
his lack of participation in services which was impossible due to his incarceration.
However, Jesse was able to and did participate in some services prior to his
incarceration, including therapy. His therapist had reported while they discussed
appropriate parenting skills, Jesse did not demonstrate those skills during scheduled
visits with the children while they were voluntarily placed outside the home. During
that time, the therapist had serious concerns about Jesse’s ability to apply good
parenting skills, even after taking parenting classes and participating in therapy.
The Department’s witnesses stated that they believed that there was a significant
risk that Jesse would abuse or neglect the children if returned to him. He intended to
place the children with his parents who were allowing a registered sex offender to have
contact with the children. Jesse proffered no witnesses on his behalf other than himself
to counter the Department’s contentions, and the trial court may have found his
testimony to be incredible.
In the Interest of H.N.S., J.M.S., J.A.R., J.A.R., and J.R. Page 9
The Department’s witnesses also testified that the children were “absolutely”
adoptable due to their young ages and that adoption was their permanency plan as
soon as possible.
Using the appropriate standards, we find that the evidence was legally and
factually sufficient to support the trial court’s finding that the termination of the parent-
child relationship was in the best interest of the children. We overrule issue two.
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, 2011
[CV06]
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