in the Interest of I.C.W. and S.R.R.W., Children

COURT OF APPEALS
SECOND DISTRICT OF TEXAS
FORT WORTH

NO. 02-12-00226-CV

In the Interest of I.C.W. and § From the 323rd District Court
S.R.R.W., Children
§ of Tarrant County (323-94808J-11)

§ January 17, 2013

§ Opinion by Justice Gabriel

JUDGMENT

This court has considered the record on appeal in this case and holds that

there was no error in the trial court’s judgment. It is ordered that the judgment of

the trial court is affirmed.

SECOND DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS

By_________________________________
Justice Lee Gabriel
 COURT OF APPEALS
SECOND DISTRICT OF TEXAS
FORT WORTH

NO. 02-12-00226-CV

IN THE INTEREST OF I.C.W. AND
S.R.R.W., CHILDREN

----------

FROM THE 323RD DISTRICT COURT OF TARRANT COUNTY

----------

MEMORANDUM OPINION1

----------

K.W. (Mother) and J.S.W. (Father) appeal the trial court’s order terminating

their rights to their children, I.C.W. (Iliana) and S.R.R.W. (Sally).2 We affirm.

1
See Tex. R. App. P. 47.4.
2
We use aliases for the children and their relatives throughout this opinion.
See Tex. R. App. P. 9.8(b)(2).

2
 Background Facts

Father and Mother met while they were using drugs. At the time, Mother

had four biological children, all of whom had been adopted by others. Mother

eventually became pregnant with Iliana.

The Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) first got

involved in 2008, when it was notified that Iliana tested positive for drugs at birth.

Mother went through the Family Drug Court Program. At some point, Father was

added to the Family Drug Court Program.3 Through their case in Family Drug

Court, they were provided services such as parenting classes and counseling.

Iliana was placed in foster care for the first twenty-eight days. After that, Mother

was placed in a supportive rehabilitation program, and Iliana was allowed to go

back to live with Mother.

The parents received housing through the Community Enrichment Center

Family Program. At some point in the program, Mother relapsed and asked

another Drug Court participant to help her fix a drug test. That person told the

Drug Court about Mother’s request. In January 2009, Mother relapsed again,

this time with Father. The parents continued in the program, completed it, and

their case was closed in June 2009.

3
Father testified that at the time Mother went through the program, no men
were involved. Father explained, ―I was there at every opportunity, so I was
welcome to be at the meetings, and I asked them, what about fathers’ services?
As far as I remember, I was the first man to go through the program.‖

3
 Mother and Father eventually married. Mother and Father’s second child,

Sally, was born in July 2010. In January 2011, Father’s mother (Grandmother)

became concerned that Mother and Father had again relapsed. In March 2011,

both parents were arrested for traffic warrants. Mother and Father called

Grandmother to ask her to bail them out of jail. Grandmother refused, but she

went and picked up the children from a neighbor who was watching them and

called DFPS.

DFPS took custody of the children when Grandmother could not care for

them and placed them with Father’s sister (Aunt). Aunt eventually decided that

she could not care for the children and returned them to DFPS. Since neither

Grandmother nor Aunt could care for the children and because neither parent

offered another possible placement, the children were then put in foster care.

DFPS moved for termination. In February 2012, Mother violated probation

for a forgery by possession of a check with intent to pass offense and was still

incarcerated at the time of trial. After a bench trial in May 2012, the trial court

found that Mother and Father had engaged in conduct or knowingly placed the

children with persons who engaged in conduct that endangered the children’s

physical or emotional well-being and that Mother and Father had knowingly

placed or knowingly allowed the children to remain in conditions or surroundings

that endangered their physical or emotional well-being. The trial court also found

that Mother had been the cause of the children being born addicted to a

4
controlled substance.4 The trial court found that termination of both parents’

rights to the children was in the children’s best interest. Mother and Father then

filed this appeal.

Proceedings to Terminate the Parent-Child Relationship

A parent’s rights to ―the companionship, care, custody, and management‖

of his or her children are constitutional interests ―far 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). ―While 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 erase them permanently—to 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) (West 2008); 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

4
DFPS acknowledges in its brief that although there was evidence that
Iliana tested positive for drugs at birth, there was no evidence that Sally was born
addicted to a controlled substance.

5
parent. Holick, 685 S.W.2d at 20–21; In re R.R., 294 S.W.3d 213, 233 (Tex.

App.—Fort Worth 2009, 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 subsection (1) of the statute and must also prove that termination is

in the best interest of the child. Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 161.001 (West Supp.

2012); 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); In re D.T., 34 S.W.3d 625, 629 (Tex. App.—Fort

Worth 2000, pet. denied). Termination decisions must be supported by clear and

convincing evidence. Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 161.001; see also § 161.206(a)

(West 2008). 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.‖ Id. § 101.007 (West 2008). Due process demands this

heightened standard because termination results in permanent, irrevocable

changes for the parent and child. In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d 256, 263 (Tex. 2002);

see In re J.A.J., 243 S.W.3d 611, 616 (Tex. 2007) (contrasting standards for

termination and modification).

6
 Discussion

I. Grounds for termination

A. Endangerment

In Mother’s second and third issues, she challenges the factual sufficiency

of the evidence supporting the trial court’s findings that she endangered the

children under subsections (D) and (E) of section 161.001(1) of the family code.

See Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 161.001(1)(D), (E). In Father’s first and second

issues, he challenges the legal and factually sufficiency of the evidence to

support the trial court’s findings that he endangered the children under

subsections (D) and (E).

―Endanger‖ 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.—Fort Worth 2003,

no pet.). Under section 161.001(1)(D), it is necessary to examine evidence

related to the environment of the children to determine if the environment was the

source of endangerment to the children’s physical or emotional well-being.

J.T.G., 121 S.W.3d at 125. Conduct of a parent in the home can create an

environment that endangers the physical and emotional well-being of a child. In

re W.S., 899 S.W.2d 772, 776 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 1995, no writ). For

example, abusive or violent conduct by a parent or other resident of a child’s

home may produce an environment that endangers the physical or emotional

well-being of a child. See id. at 776–77; Ziegler v. Tarrant Cnty. Child Welfare

Unit, 680 S.W.2d 674, 678 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 1984, writ ref’d n.r.e.).

7
Parental and caregiver illegal drug use and drug-related criminal activity likewise

supports the conclusion that the children’s surroundings endanger their physical

or emotional well-being. See In re S.D., 980 S.W.2d 758, 763 (Tex. App.—San

Antonio 1998, pet. denied).

Under subsection (E), the relevant inquiry is whether evidence exists that

the endangerment of the children’s physical well-being was the direct result of

the parents’ conduct, including acts, omissions, or failures to act. See J.T.G.,

121 S.W.3d at 125; see also Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 161.001(1)(E). Additionally,

termination under subsection (E) must be based on more than a single act or

omission; the statute requires a voluntary, deliberate, and conscious course of

conduct by the parent. J.T.G., 121 S.W.3d at 125; see Tex. Fam. Code Ann.

§ 161.001(1)(E). It is not necessary, however, that the parents’ conduct be

directed at the children or that the children actually suffer injury. Boyd, 727

S.W.2d at 533; J.T.G., 121 S.W.3d at 125. The specific danger to the children’s

well-being may be inferred from parental misconduct standing alone. Boyd, 727

S.W.2d at 533; In re R.W., 129 S.W.3d 732, 738 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2004,

pet. denied). To determine whether termination is necessary, courts may look to

parental conduct occurring both before and after the children’s birth. In re D.M.,

58 S.W.3d 801, 812 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2001, no pet.). Because the

evidence pertaining to subsections 161.001(1)(D) and (E) is so interrelated, we

will consolidate our review. In re S.D., 980 S.W.2d 758, 762 (Tex. App.—San

Antonio 1998, pet. denied); In re B.R., 822 S.W.2d 103, 106 (Tex. App.—Tyler

8
1991, writ denied) (recognizing the link between a parent’s conduct and a child’s

conditions and surroundings).

In evaluating the evidence for legal sufficiency in parental termination

cases, we determine whether the evidence is such that a factfinder 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 review all the

evidence in the light most favorable to the finding and judgment. Id. We resolve

any disputed facts in favor of the finding if a reasonable factfinder could have

done so. Id. We disregard all evidence that a reasonable factfinder could have

disbelieved. Id. We 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.

We cannot weigh witness credibility issues that depend on the appearance

and demeanor of the witnesses, for that is the factfinder’s province. Id. at 573.

And even when credibility issues appear in the appellate record, we defer to the

factfinder’s determinations as long as they are not unreasonable. Id. at 573.

In reviewing the evidence for factual sufficiency, we give due deference to

the factfinder’s findings and do not supplant the verdict with our own. In re

H.R.M., 209 S.W.3d 105, 108 (Tex. 2006). We determine whether, on the entire

record, a factfinder could reasonably form a firm conviction or belief that the

termination of the parent-child relationship would be in the best interest of the

9
children. Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 161.001(2); C.H., 89 S.W.3d at 28. 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 in the truth of its finding, then

the evidence is factually insufficient. H.R.M., 209 S.W.3d at 108.

B. Analysis

Both parents have had long battles with drug addiction. Drug addiction

and its effect on a parent’s life and ability to parent may establish an endangering

course of conduct. See In re Z.C., 280 S.W.3d 470, 474 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth

2009, pet. denied). Iliana tested positive at birth for amphetamine and

methamphetamine. A mother’s use of drugs during pregnancy may also amount

to conduct that endangers the physical and emotional well-being of the child.

See In re K.M.B., 91 S.W.3d 18, 25 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2002, no pet.).

Father testified that when he found out Mother was pregnant with Iliana, he

convinced Mother to stop using drugs. He moved Mother from the apartment

they were living in to move in with friends in an effort to remove bad influences

from their lives. However, while in the Family Drug Court program, Mother used

drugs soon after Iliana was returned to her care. Although Father did take

Mother out of a drug-filled environment when she was pregnant with Iliana, he

admitted in counseling that he and Mother relapsed while in Family Drug Court

because he let someone into his home that he knew might persuade them to use

drugs. He said he ―knew not to invite a newcomer . . . into his home and was

10
advised not to do so by his mentor but [he] did so anyway.‖ See In re A.O., No.

02-09-00005-CV, 2009 WL 1815780, at *5 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth June 25,

2009, no pet.) (mem. op.) (holding evidence sufficient to support endangerment

findings when father knew mother was using drugs but did not take steps to

protect daughter from endangering environment). Even after successfully

completing the services provided through Family Drug Court, both parents

relapsed yet again, only months after the birth of their second child.

Father has gone through drug use treatment programs four to six times.

He was discharged from programs in 2006 and 2009 for noncompliance.

Father’s file from his treatment programs notes that he ―has continued use of

methamphetamines, [despite] negative consequences‖ and that Father ―lacks the

skills for maintaining recovery.‖ Father testified that he used methamphetamine

―[not] more than eight times‖ in the year prior to trial. See In re C.L.C., 119

S.W.3d 382, 392 (Tex. App.—Tyler 2003, no pet.) (holding that it is sufficient that

the parent was aware of the potential for danger to the child and disregarded that

risk). File notes from 2009 state that Father ―has not been willing to incorporate

the [addiction and recovery] information into his daily life.‖ In a counseling

session in April 2012, Father described his need for treatment for his substance

abuse as only ―moderately important.‖ The counselor noted that Father still had

difficulty in understanding his substance abuse problems. Father testified that

the last time he used methamphetamine was February 2012. He said that he

bought it from a neighbor who was living in the same hotel in which he was living.

11
 Father testified that he is a member of four NA groups, and he attends two-

hour supportive outpatient counseling sessions once a week. Father has a

sponsor through NA, and he testified that he has completed all twelve steps and

is working through them again. Father said he does the first three steps every

day.

Both parents also have a history of criminal behavior. Evidence of criminal

conduct, convictions, and imprisonment prior to the birth of a child will support a

finding that a parent engaged in a course of conduct that endangered the child’s

well-being. J.T.G., 121 S.W.3d at 133. While imprisonment alone does not

constitute a continuing course of conduct that endangers the physical or

emotional well-being of a child, it is a fact properly considered on the issue of

endangerment. Boyd, 727 S.W.2d at 533–34. The State need not show

incarceration was a result of a course of conduct endangering the child; it need

only show incarceration was part of a course of conduct endangering 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 showing that the

endangerment of the child’s physical or emotional well-being was the direct result

of the parent’s conduct is met. Id.

Father testified that he was arrested for possession of a controlled

substance in January 2005. He was arrested again in November 2005 for

possession of a controlled substance. He pleaded guilty and received probation.

In August 2006, a petition to revoke his probation was filed. Father successfully

12
participated in drug treatment and in September 2009, his case was dismissed.

Father has four convictions and has spent a total of eleven months incarcerated.

Mother was arrested for forgery in June 2010 and received community

supervision. Mother violated her probation in February 2012 and was sentenced

to six months in state jail. Both parents had also been arrested in 2011 for traffic

violations. When they were incarcerated in 2011, a neighbor had to take the

children. ―An environment which routinely subjects a child to the probability that

she will be left alone because her parents are once again jailed, whether

because of the continued violation of probationary conditions or because of a

new offense growing out of a continued use of illegal drugs, or because the

parents are once again committed to a rehabilitation program, endangers both

the physical and emotional well-being of a child.‖ In re S.D., 980 S.W.2d 758,

763 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 1998, pet. denied).

Mother and Father’s incarceration had affected their ability to ensure that

their children were properly taken care of and indicated a course of conduct that

was endangering to the children. Moreover, both parents’ incarcerations

prevented them from finding better living conditions and financially supporting the

children. See In re M.R., 243 S.W.3d 807, 819 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2007, no

pet.) (observing that father’s incarceration affected his ability to ensure that his

child was properly taken care of, prevented him from finding better living

conditions or providing financial support for the child, and indicated a course of

conduct that was endangering to his child). Each time these parents were jailed,

13
they were absent from their children’s lives and unable to provide a home or

support, which negatively impacted the children’s living environment and well-

being. Id.; see D.M., 58 S.W.3d at 812–13 (noting that mother’s frequent

incarcerations affected her ability to properly care for her children); M.R., 243

S.W.3d at 819; C.L.C., 119 S.W.3d at 393 (holding that it is sufficient that the

parent was aware of the potential for danger to the child and disregarded that

risk); In re U.P., 105 S.W.3d 222, 236 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2003,

pet. denied) (holding that the creation of an ―emotional vacuum‖ in the child’s life

by being absent for more than twelve months due to incarceration was evidence

of endangering the child’s emotional well-being). Had Mother not violated

probation and been incarcerated, she could have worked her services. See In re

J.N.R., 982 S.W.2d 137, 143 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1998, no pet.)

(affirming the termination of father’s parental rights based in part on evidence

that father continued to engage in the criminal activity that resulted in his

incarceration even after knowing his parental rights were in jeopardy).

Father suffered from depression so severe that he did not get out of bed

for a month. This inhibited his ability to work services and seek employment.

See In re M.E.-M.N., 342 S.W.3d 254, 262 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2011, pet.

denied) (―[A] parent’s mental state may be considered in determining whether a

child is endangered if that mental state allows the parent to engage in conduct

that jeopardizes the physical or emotional well-being of the child.‖). Father did

not start taking antidepressants until two months before trial.

14
 The evidence showed that Father worked only sporadically and the longest

Father has ever held a job has been one year. He did not have a full-time job at

the time of trial and was satisfied with his part-time work as a dog trainer. He told

a counselor in April 2012 that he was not at all troubled by employment

problems. In his intensive inpatient treatment program, Father said that he does

not have a stable place to live and ―float[s] around here and there.‖ He admitted

at trial that he was currently incapable of providing sufficient income to support

his children.

The evidence also reflects that Father worked at acquiring parenting skills

and overcoming his drug problem; however, clear and convincing evidence was

presented that Father had engaged in endangering conduct, including evidence

of continued drug use both before and after DFPS became involved the last time.

The evidence also reflects that Mother engaged in criminal conduct that includes

repeated relapses of drug abuse. Despite the second chance afforded them

when DFPS returned Iliana, the parents put their own needs and desires first,

thereby engaging in endangering conduct and placed their children in an

environment that endangered their welfare. The evidence is legally and factually

sufficient to support the trial court’s findings that Mother and Father engaged in

conduct proscribed by subsections (D) and (E) of section 161.001(1). See Tex.

Fam. Code Ann. § 161.001(1)(D), (E). We overrule Father’s first and second

issues and Mother’s second and third issues. Because, along with a best

interest finding, a finding of only one ground alleged under section 161.001(1) is

15
necessary to support a judgment of termination, we need not address Mother’s

first issue. See Tex. R. App. P. 47.1.

II. Best interest

In Father’s third issue and in Mother’s fourth issue, they challenge the

factual sufficiency of the evidence supporting the trial court’s finding that

termination of their parental rights was in the children’s best interest.

There is 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). Prompt and

permanent placement of the child in a safe environment is also presumed to be

in the child’s best interest. Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 263.307(a) (West 2008). The

following factors should be considered in evaluating the parent’s willingness and

ability to provide the child with a safe environment:

(1) the child’s age and physical and mental vulnerabilities;

(2) the frequency and nature of out-of-home placements;

(3) the magnitude, frequency, and circumstances of the harm to the
child;

(4) whether the child has been the victim of repeated harm after the
initial report and intervention by the department or other agency;

(5) whether the child is fearful of living in or returning to the child’s
home;

(6) the results of psychiatric, psychological, or developmental
evaluations of the child, the child’s parents, other family members, or
others who have access to the child’s home;

(7) whether there is a history of abusive or assaultive conduct by the
child’s family or others who have access to the child’s home;

16
 (8) whether there is a history of substance abuse by the child’s
family or others who have access to the child’s home;

(9) whether the perpetrator of the harm to the child is identified;

(10) the willingness and ability of the child’s family to seek out,
accept, and complete counseling services and to cooperate with and
facilitate an appropriate agency’s close supervision;

(11) the willingness and ability of the child’s family to effect positive
environmental and personal changes within a reasonable period of
time;

(12) whether the child’s family demonstrates adequate parenting
skills, including providing the child and other children under the
family’s care with:

(A) minimally adequate health and nutritional care;

(B) care, nurturance, and appropriate discipline consistent with
the child’s physical and psychological development;

(C) guidance and supervision consistent with the child’s
safety;

(D) a safe physical home environment;

(E) protection from repeated exposure to violence even
though the violence may not be directed at the child; and

(F) an understanding of the child’s needs and capabilities;
and

(13) whether an adequate social support system consisting of an
extended family and friends is available to the child.

Id. § 263.307(b); R.R., 209 S.W.3d at 116.

Other, nonexclusive factors that the trier of fact in a termination case may

use in determining the best interest of the child include:

(A) the desires of the child;

17
 (B) the emotional and physical needs of the child now and in the
future;

(C) the emotional and physical danger to the child now and in the
future;

(D) the parental abilities of the individuals seeking custody;

(E) the programs available to assist these individuals to promote
the best interest of the child;

(F) the plans for the child by these individuals or by the agency
seeking custody;

(G) the stability of the home or proposed placement;

(H) the acts or omissions of the parent which may indicate that the
existing parent-child relationship is not a proper one; and

(I) any excuse for the acts or omissions of the parent.

Holley v. Adams, 544 S.W.2d 367, 371–72 (Tex. 1976) (citations omitted).

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.

18
 A. The evidence

At the time of trial, Iliana was four years old and Sally was almost two

years old. See Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 263.307(b)(1). This was at least the

second time DFPS had been involved with the parents. Previously, both parents

successfully completed the Family Drug Court program and had obtained the

return of Iliana. See id. § 263.307(b)(2), (4).

Father was forty years old at the time of trial. He testified that he has

suffered from depression for thirty-three years and that he has post-traumatic

stress disorder from sexual abuse as a child. See id. § 263.307(b)(6). Father

obtained a prescription for Celexa for his depression in March 2012. He took

Celexa every day until his prescription ran out. He testified that he had

requested a refill from his doctor and had scheduled an appointment for a check-

up with the clinic. Father also testified that he has started doing yoga, which has

helped with his depression.

There was no evidence of abusive behavior by either parent. See id.

§ 263.307(b)(7). However, as discussed above, both parents had extensive

histories of substance abuse. See id. § 263.307(b)(8). Father testified that he

first used marijuana at the age of seventeen, but he did not use other drugs until

he was thirty-one years old. At that time, he used ―cocaine a couple of times.‖ In

2004, Father started using methamphetamine. He testified that he did not ―really

get into drugs until 2004. 2004 was the first time [that he] had something [that

he] had a problem with.‖ Father said it took eleven weeks of using

19
methamphetamine for him to become addicted. Father testified that he was not

using cocaine at that time, and his last use of marijuana was 2007 or 2008.

Father testified that he did not use methamphetamine continuously from

2004 to 2007. For about nine months, he was working an active recovery

program and managed to stay drug-free. He said, ―I got in trouble in January of

2005, January 5th of 2005. January 7th, I walked into an NA meeting and asked

for help.‖ During drug court, he used with Mother after Iliana had been returned

to their care. He said that they used twice, and both times Iliana was not in the

house. Father testified that when he checked in to the inpatient treatment center,

he told the worker that he had used Robitussin DM at 4:30 that morning. He

could not say why he had used the Robitussin DM.

Jeannette Leong, the DFPS caseworker for the parents’ Family Drug Court

case, testified that she was concerned about Father’s ability to stay off drugs.

She said,

From the testimony I’ve heard these past couple of days, he has a
little over two months clean. At the time that we returned the
children from the Family Drug Court case, he had four months clean,
and with that four months clean, he was able to sustain sobriety for
some point in time, but we’re back in the case again and now there
is less sobriety time.

She said, ―I don’t see from this track record[,] . . . if the rights aren’t terminated, I

don’t see how going forward things will be different.‖

Tashani Fernandes, the DFPS conservatorship worker, also testified that

before Father submitted to a drug test in January 2012, he had denied using

20
drugs. The drug test, however, was positive for amphetamines and

methamphetamines. Father testified that in order to maintain sobriety, he has to

―continue to work the program.‖ He explained, ―Over the last few years, the last

eight years, the only time I’ve been able to maintain clean time is when I go to

meetings on a regular basis, when I fellowship, when I stay a part of the alumni

groups, when I stay at meetings back in the treatment facilities. I have to stay

involved in my 12-step program. When I did that, I stayed clean for over two

years before.‖

Fernandes testified that she tried two or three times to meet with Mother,

but Mother failed to show up at the appointments. See id. § 263.307(b)(10).

Fernandes requested that Mother participate in individual counseling, parenting

classes, and a drug and alcohol assessment. Mother failed to initiate any of

those services, even before she was incarcerated. Mother also failed to provide

documentation of stable housing or employment. Fernandes also testified that

Mother has not made efforts to keep in contact with her or to send letters or

pictures to Iliana and Sally.

Fernandes testified that she requested that Father also participate in

individual counseling, parenting classes, and a drug and alcohol assessment.

She noted that Father did not initiate his individual counseling, but he did attend

three parenting classes and completed his drug and alcohol assessment.

However, Father waited six months to complete his assessment.

21
 Father testified that he was assessed through CATS on April 5, 2012.

CATS required Father to participate in twenty-four group sessions and three

individual sessions. Father attended a group session on April 11, 2012, May 14,

2012, and May 21, 2012. Father explained that the reason he waited a month in

between group sessions was that he ―was getting [his] daily maintenance at NA

and AA.‖ He said,

The majority of the clients [at CATS] are homeless people that are
trying to retain their homeless shelters, their homeless housing, and
they’re there because they have to be. They’re very open about still
using. It’s not a conducive environment to remaining clean and
sober. What we’re talking about is drinking last weekend and getting
high and lighting crack pipes for their girlfriends. I’ve never attended
one of the sessions where I didn’t leave with an immediate need to
go to NA and go to a real meeting.

Father testified that he planned on going back to CATS and completing the

remaining sessions.

Father testified that he believed that he was compliant with his service

plan. He said he went to NA or AA meetings every day and sometimes twice a

day. Father had completed three of his six parenting classes. He testified that

he has attended three of the four recommended mental health counseling

sessions. Father said that he had only attended one counseling session

because he had been so depressed that he had stayed in bed for a month.

Father testified that he did not think Mother’s rights should be terminated

because he believed ―she should be given an opportunity to work services.‖ See

id. § 263.307(b)(11). He did acknowledge that both he and Mother had already

22
had two opportunities to demonstrate their parenting abilities to DFPS. Father

testified that his rights should not be terminated either. He said,

I may have come to the table late, but I’m here, and I want my kids
and I’m clean and I’m staying clean, and one of the biggest things
that—well, the biggest battle I’ve had in my whole life hasn’t been
addiction, it’s been depression, and I’ve got treatment in place for at
least the next six months for that.

Father admitted that he squandered the opportunities that the Family Drug Court

gave him, and he acknowledged that the children were in foster care because of

his conduct and the decisions that he made. Father believed that his rights to his

children should not be terminated because he was a ―great father‖ who made

some mistakes. He said, ―It’s bad, but I’m still a wonderful parent. My parenting

skills and my interaction with my children didn’t diminish.‖

Father was still married to Mother at the time of trial, but he testified that he

intended to divorce her. Father testified that he had visited Mother almost every

weekend since she has been in jail. Father said that he lied to DFPS about how

frequently he visited Mother because he ―felt like it was something to be able to

be used against me. [He] still [had] intentions of divorcing [Mother]. [He was]

afraid of how it would look.‖ He said that he continued to visit Mother because

―she deserve[d] to know what’s going on with her kids.‖ Father said that he

wanted to divorce Mother because he has ―a better chance of staying clean if

[his] constant companion isn’t another drug addict.‖

Father testified that he was not asking the court to grant Mother any

visitation. He said, ―I wouldn’t be comfortable with her having visitation unless

23
there was some accountability, some kind of supervision, because I don’t know

where she’s going to go when she gets out. I don’t know where she’s going to be

living. I would imagine she’s going to go home.‖ Father testified that he would

not let Mother live with him when she gets out of jail.

Grandmother testified that when the children were in Mother and Father’s

possession, she paid for the children’s doctors’ visits. See id.

§ 263.307(b)(12)(A). Grandmother testified that Father is ―very involved‖ with the

children. See id. § 263.307(b)(12)(B). She said, ―He interacts well with the

children and, you know, they have a good relationship.‖ She said his actions with

the children were appropriate and that Father has always been very loving with

the children. She said that even while Father was under the influence, he would

still cook and do laundry for the children. Grandmother testified that Father ―was

the more nurturing parent and more involved‖ parent.

Grandmother testified that if the children had been returned to Father at

the time of trial, they would have had to live with Father in his hotel room for

about a week until he could move into an apartment. See id.

§ 263.307(b)(12)(D). Father had been living in the hotel for the eight weeks

before trial. Father testified that he is borrowing against the $5,000 tax refund

check that Grandmother is holding for him. He testified that he had no other

money. Father said that if the children were returned to him after trial, they would

live with him in the hotel, which is ―not where [he] would want to be.‖

24
 Father testified that he moved to the hotel to stay clean and stay away

from drug users. He said that he does not know if there are drug users in the

hotel ―because [he] go[es] where [he] need[s] to go and [he] come[s] back to [his]

room.‖ Father also testified that he changed his phone number and email

address because he did not ―want anyone that knew how to get hold of [him]

before to know how to get hold of [him].‖

Grandmother testified that at the time of trial, she did not believe that

Mother could provide a stable and loving environment for the children. She

believed that Father would be ―more capable‖ of providing such an environment.

When pressed, she said that because Father did not have a stable job at the time

of trial, he was not able to care for the children. Grandmother testified that she

was concerned that Mother and Father could be drug-free for a period of time

and then relapse.

There was no evidence of Mother’s social support system. See id.

§ 263.307(b)(13). Father’s mother, Grandmother, has been supportive of the

parents. Grandmother has been aware of Father’s drug use for seven or eight

years. Grandmother testified that she did not see the parents using drugs but

―[w]hen they began to avoid me, I was pretty sure they were using again.‖

Grandmother testified, ―It was years that I didn’t feel like [the children] were in a

safe environment.‖ Grandmother testified that although she had cared for the

children for two months before, she and her husband were unable to take the

25
children anymore. She said that her pension and Social Security were not

enough to support the children.

Father testified that at the time of trial, he did not have the ability to take

his children back and support them. See Holley, 544 S.W.2d at 371–72. Father

testified that he owned a car, but at the beginning of trial, his license was

suspended. He had paid the outstanding charges by the end of trial.

Father testified that he had a job as a professional dog trainer. He said

that the last time he had a job that was verifiable was December 2011, when he

worked at a cell phone refurbishing plant. He only worked at the plant for two

weeks. Prior to that, he worked at Big Lots from October 2008 until January

2010, when he was discharged. Father then worked as a dog trainer. He

testified at trial that the last time he made money training dogs was three weeks

before trial. Father made $750 in the fourteen weeks preceding trial. He

admitted that he could not raise two children on the money he had made by

training dogs. Father did not see his job as a problem, but he said he would get

another job if the trial court told him to.

Father testified that he was arrested for possession of a controlled

substance in January 2005. He was arrested again in November 2005 for

possession of a controlled substance. He pleaded guilty and received probation.

In August 2006, a petition to revoke his probation was filed. Father successfully

participated in drug treatment and in September 2009, his case was dismissed.

26
Father also testified that Mother had a forgery by possession of check with intent

to pass conviction.

Fernandes testified that the foster home where the children were placed

was interested in adopting both children. She said that Iliana and Sally were

thriving in their foster home. She said that the children were healthy and

developmentally on-target. Grandmother described Iliana as ―real[ly] bubbly and

she’s very sensitive, too, though, but she tries to hide it, but she’s just, you know,

active and busy all the time. Very bright child.‖ Grandmother believed that Iliana

was doing well in her foster placement and that the children seem to be well

taken care of. Father believed that the children have formed a bond with their

foster family, but when asked if he would want to break that bond and move

them, he said, ―If it meant that I got another chance with my kids, you bet I

would.‖ Father was asked what he wanted to happen to Iliana. He said, ―I want

her to come home.‖ He was then asked if he thought that should happen. He

answered, ―No, ma’am.‖ Father said that the difference between the time of trial

and the beginning of the case was that he realized that he could potentially lose

his children.

Father said that he did not think that his children would be returned to him

after trial. He said, ―I never thought my kids were coming home today because I

thought our case was closing sometime in July. I was hoping I would still be

given the opportunity to work services. I never thought they were coming home

today.‖ He said he had been hoping that he would be granted a continuance,

27
which he called ―[an] extension of my second chance,‖ so that he could complete

his parenting classes. The trial court denied his continuance before the start of

the trial, so Father said he was only hoping that the court would reconsider.

Grandmother testified that she did not think Mother or Father’s rights

should be terminated ―at this time.‖ She testified that she believed that Father

would be able to stay off drugs this time. She said, ―I see differences I’ve never

seen before and I see him accepting responsibility that, you know, I’m where I

am, my consequences are a result of my behavior; that it’s my fault, they’re not

yours, they’re not dad’s, they’re not anybody else’s, which I think is the first step.‖

Grandmother noted that Father was behaving responsibly, and pointed to the fact

that he gave Grandmother his tax refund check to keep safe. She said that she

had witnessed him budgeting and trying to find good housing. Grandmother

testified that she would not co-sign a lease with Father unless he was off drugs,

so she has been drug testing him.

Fernandes testified that she believes termination was in the children’s best

interest ―[b]ecause the children need some stability in their lives. There has been

more than one CPS case with the mom, and this is the second CPS case with

the dad. They deserve to be in a drug-free and safe environment and they need

a forever family.‖

28
 B. Analysis

Father’s job as a dog trainer was not full-time employment nor did it

provide enough income to support him and his children. His testimony indicated

that he was not concerned with seeking more consistent employment. There

was no evidence of Mother being employed in any capacity prior to her

incarceration.

The evidence showed that at the time of trial, Mother and Father had been

drug-free for about six months. However, both parents have maintained periods

of sobriety in the past, only to relapse again. See In re J.L.B., 349 S.W.3d 836,

849 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2011, no pet.) (noting that the parents’ ―poor

judgment [and] the constancy of their drug use‖ weighed in favor of terminating

their parental rights). A factfinder may infer from past conduct endangering the

well-being of the child that similar conduct will recur if the child is returned to the

parent. In re M.M., No. 02-08-00029-CV, 2008 WL 5195353, at *6 (Tex. App.—

Fort Worth Dec. 11, 2008, no pet.) (mem. op.); see also Smith v. Tex. Dep’t of

Protective & Regulatory Servs., 160 S.W.3d 673, 681 (Tex. App.—Austin 2005,

no pet.) (―[I]n considering the best interest of the child, evidence of a recent turn-

around in behavior by the parent does not totally offset evidence of a pattern of

instability and harmful behavior in the past.‖). Further, ―evidence of improved

conduct, especially of short-duration, does not conclusively negate the probative

value of a long history of drug use and irresponsible choices.‖ In re J.O.A., 283

S.W.3d 336, 346 (Tex. 2009).

29
 Father’s testimony that his ―parenting skills and [his] interaction with [his]

children didn’t diminish‖ while he was abusing drugs indicates that Father has not

internalized the lessons taught in his rehabilitation programs. See In re C.C., No.

13-07-00541-CV, 2009 WL 866822, at *11 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi Apr. 2,

2009, no pet.) (mem. op.) (holding that record did not support mother’s

characterization of a recent turnaround when ―the undisputed evidence showed

that she had failed to alleviate the main concern underlying the children’s

removal‖). This indication is supported by his counselor’s concerns that Father

―is possibly manipulative in knowing the right things to say regarding recovery but

having no intention of following through with actions.‖ The trial court was free to

disbelieve Father’s testimony that he would stay off of drugs as he had promised

and failed to do before.

Father only partially completed his service plan, and the evidence showed

that he had started some services only a few months before trial. Mother wholly

failed to complete her service plan. See In re S.B., 207 S.W.3d 877, 887–88

(Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2006, no pet.) (holding that evidence of a parent’s failure

to comply with her family service plan supports a finding that termination is in the

best interest of the child). Mother failed to attend meetings with the DFPS

caseworker prior to her incarceration and since that time, she has made no

attempts to contact DFPS or her children. See In re V.V., 349 S.W.3d 548, 558

(Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2010, pet. denied) (upholding best interest

finding when father had not attempted to seek information about his daughter’s

30
well being and had not sought services that might assist him in improving his

parenting skills); In re J.L.R., No. 11-05-00094-CV, 2006 WL 728069, at *2 (Tex.

App.—Eastland Mar. 23, 2006, no pet.) (holding evidence legally and factually

sufficient to support best interest finding when father had limited contact with

child and was incarcerated at the time of trial).

Considering the relevant statutory and Holley factors, we hold that, in light

of the entire record, and giving due consideration to evidence that the trial court

could have reasonably found to be clear and convincing, the trial court could

reasonably have formed a firm belief or conviction that termination of Mother and

Father’s parental rights to the children is in the children’s best interests.

Accordingly, the evidence is factually sufficient to support the trial court’s best

interest findings. We overrule Father’s third issue and Mother’s fourth issue.

Conclusion

Having overruled Mother and Father’s dispositive issues, we affirm the trial

court’s judgment.

LEE GABRIEL
JUSTICE

PANEL: LIVINGSTON, C.J.; DAUPHINOT and GABRIEL, JJ.

DELIVERED: January 17, 2013

31