ACCEPTED
14-14-01029-CV
FOURTEENTH COURT OF APPEALS
HOUSTON, TEXAS
4/27/2015 3:47:48 PM
CHRISTOPHER PRINE
CLERK
Nos. 14-14-01029-CV,
and 14-14-01030-CV
__________________________________________________________
FILED IN
14th COURT OF APPEALS
HOUSTON, TEXAS
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS 4/27/2015 3:47:48 PM
FOR THE FOURTEENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
CHRISTOPHER A. PRINE
OF TEXAS AT HOUSTON Clerk
__________________________________________________________
IN THE INTEREST OF
A.L.H., A Child
__________________________________________________________
T.H. and L.M., Appellants
v.
DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY & PROTECTIVE SERVICES, Appellee
__________________________________________________________
APPEALED FROM THE 315th DISTRICT COURT OF HARRIS COUNTY,
TEXAS, Trial Cause No. 2014-00466J
__________________________________________________________
APPELLEE’S BRIEF
VINCE RYAN, COUNTY ATTORNEY
State Bar #99999939
By: Robert J. Hazeltine-Shedd
Assistant County Attorney
State Bar #24067652
1019 Congress, 17th Floor
Houston, Texas 77002
Phone: 713/274-5292; Fax: 713/437-4700
Email: robert.hazeltine-shedd@cao.hctx.net
Attorney for Appellee
Texas Department of Family
and Protective Services
[ORAL ARGUMENT REQUESTED IF DEEMED NECESSARY]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table of Contents ...................................................................................................... ii
Index of Authorities ..................................................................................................iv
Reply Points ..............................................................................................................vi
Statement of Facts ...................................................................................................... 1
Summary of Argument ............................................................................................. 10
Argument and Authorities ........................................................................................ 18
Reply Point One: There was sufficient evidence to support the trial
court’s termination of the appellant Mother’s parental rights under
section 161.001(1)(K) of the Texas Family Code ................................................ 18
1. Applicable Law and Scope of Review. ......................................................... 18
2. Termination of the appellant Mother’s rights was warranted where her
affidavit of relinquishment was executed in accordance with what is
required by law, it was admitted into evidence without objection, and the
mother presented no evidence that it was made involuntarily as she
claims on appeal.................................................................................................20
3. There was sufficient evidence supporting that termination of the
appellant Mother’s rights was in the child’s best interest where she
executed an affidavit of relinquishment, averred in the affidavit that
termination was in the child’s best interest, failed to appear at trial or
present any evidence, and the Department’s plans for the child indicated
his best interest would be served by terminating the Mother’s rights…. .......... 24
Reply Point Two: There was sufficient evidence to support the trial
court’s termination of the appellant Father’s parental rights under
section 161.001(1)(N) of the Texas Family Code ................................................. 29
ii
1. The fact that the Department named a relative who was able to care
for A.L.H. did not preclude the trial court’s finding that L.M. lacked the
ability to provide the child with a safe environment under subsection (N)
where L.M. failed to participate in any meaningful way in the case, was
not incarcerated, and there was no evidence that the relative’s
willingness to provide care resulted from any arrangement with L.M.. ........... 29
2. The record demonstrates sufficient evidence supporting that the
Department made reasonable efforts to return the child to L.M. where
the Department served L.M. with notice of the case, sought to establish
L.M.’s paternity, evaluated possible relative placements, and sought to
have the child placed with L.M.’s sister, particularly where L.M.’s
conduct indicated he had little interest in his child’s return... ........................... 36
Reply Point Three: Though review of this ground is unnecessary, there
was sufficient evidence to support the trial court’s termination of the
Appellant Father’s parental rights under 161.001(1)(D) of the Texas
Family Code. ........................................................................................................... 41
Prayer for Relief ....................................................................................................... 45
Certificate of Service ............................................................................................... 46
Certificate of Compliance with Word Count ........................................................... 46
iii
INDEX OF AUTHORITIES
CASES PAGE
Brown v. McLennan County Children's Protective Services,
627 S.W.2d 390 (Tex. 1982) ..............................................................................12, 25
Denman v. Alternatives In Motion, 14-99-01262-CV, 2001 WL 40350 (Tex. App.—
Houston [14th Dist.] Jan. 18, 2001, no pet.) ........................11, 12, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25
Holley v. Adams, 544 S.W.2d 367 (Tex. 1976) ......................................24, 25, 27, 28
In re A.G.C., 279 S.W.3d 441 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2009, no pet.)12, 25
In re. A.S., 261 S.W.3d 76 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2008, pet. denied) 30, 40, 42
In re A.V., 113 S.W.3d 355 (Tex. 2003).................................................................... 41
In re B.B., 971 S.W.2d 160 (Tex. App.—Beaumont 1998, pet. denied) .................. 42
In re. B.S.T., 977 S.W.2d 481 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 1998,
no pet.)..............................................................................................15, 36, 37, 38, 39
In re C.H., 89 S.W.3d 17 (Tex. 2002) ..........................................................15, 18, 37
In re. D.A., No. 02-09-00460-CV, 2010 WL 3618718 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth
September 16, 2010, no pet.) ...........................................................15, 36, 37, 38, 39
In re. D.S.A., 113 S.W.3d 567 (Tex. App.—Amarillo 2003, no pet.) ....14, 30, 31, 34
In re D.Z.R.-M., 14-13-01084-CV, 2014 WL 1390289 (Tex. App.—Houston
[14th Dist.] Apr. 8, 2014, no pet.) ............................................................................ 34
In re F.L.I., 01-97-01192-CV, 1998 WL 418094, at *1
(Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] July 23, 1998, no pet.) .............................21, 23, 24
In re. H.R.M., 209 S.W.3d 105, 110 (Tex. 2006) ...............................................32, 33
In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d 256 (Tex. 2002) ............................................................18, 19
iv
In re. K.J.T.M., 06-09-00104-CV, 2010 WL 1664027 (Tex. App.—
Texarkana Apr. 27, 2010, no pet.) ............................................................................ 40
In re M.R.J.M., 280 S.W.3d 494, 502 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2009, no pet.) ...... 42
In re M.T.W., 01-11-00162-CV, 2011 WL 6938542 (Tex. App.—
Houston [1st Dist.] Dec. 29, 2011, no pet.) ............................................................. 42
In re. R.L.T., No. 07-02-0332-CV, slip op. at 3-4, 2003 WL 21458782 (Tex. App.—
Amarillo June 24, 2003, no pet.) ........................................................................... 31, 32, 33
In re S.M.L., 171 S.W.3d 472 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2005, no pet.) ... 42
In re. V.D.A., 14-14-00561-CV, 2014 WL 7347776 (Tex. App.—Houston
[14th Dist.] December 23, 2014, no pet.) ........................................................ 14, 29, 30, 33
Montes v. Dep't of Family & Protective Services, 01-10-00643-CV, 2011 WL
2089721 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] May 19, 2011, no pet.) ....... 11, 20, 23, 24
Texas Dep't of Human Servs. v. Boyd, 727 S.W.2d 531 (Tex.1987) ........................ 41
STATUTES
Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 101.007 (West 2008) .......................................................... 19
Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 161.001 (West 2008) .................... 18, 20, 28, 29, 32, 41, 42
Tex. Fam. Code Ann. §161.103 (West 2008) ........................................ 11, 20, 31, 22
Tex. Fam. Code Ann. §161.211 (West 2008) ......................................... 11, 20, 22, 24
v
REPLY POINT ONE
There was sufficient evidence to support the trial court’s termination of the
appellant Mother’s parental rights under section 161.001(1)(K) of the Texas
Family Code.
REPLY POINT TWO
There was sufficient evidence to support the trial court’s termination of the
appellant Father’s parental rights under section 161.001(1)(N) of the Texas
Family Code.
REPLY POINT THREE
Though review of this ground is unnecessary, there was sufficient evidence to
support the trial court’s termination of the Appellant Father’s parental rights
under 161.001(1)(D) of the Texas Family Code.
vi
Nos. 14-14-01029-CV,
and 14-14-01030-CV
__________________________________________________________
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE FOURTEENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
OF TEXAS AT HOUSTON
__________________________________________________________
IN THE INTEREST OF
A.L.H., A Child
__________________________________________________________
T.H. and L.M., Appellants
v.
DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY & PROTECTIVE SERVICES, Appellee
__________________________________________________________
APPEALED FROM THE 315th DISTRICT COURT OF HARRIS COUNTY,
TEXAS, Trial Cause No. 2014-00466J
__________________________________________________________
APPELLEE’S BRIEF
TO THE HONORABLE JUSTICES OF THE COURT OF APPEALS:
Department of Family & Protective Services, Appellee, [hereinafter
“Department”] submits this brief in response to the Appellant Brief.
STATEMENT OF FACTS
This appeal involves the child, A.L.H., who came to the Department’s
attention in January of 2014 when he was four months old. RR, pp.7, 13. 1 Before
1
Citations to the Reporter’s Record are made to the one volume in which the transcript of the
-1-
A.L.H. was born, his mother, T.H., and father2, L.M., had three other children all
of whom had been removed from their custody because of T.H.’s use of drugs.
RR, p.10. At the time this case went to trial, one of A.L.H.’s siblings was placed
with a relative, one was in a foster home, and the third had been adopted by foster
parents. Id. at 16-17. According to the Department’s caseworker, Amy Zachmeyer,
the Department made an investigation regarding A.L.H. following a report that the
child was subject to medical neglect. RR, p.11. Though the Department ruled out
that the child was medically neglected, A.L.H. was nonetheless placed in the
Department’s custody because of ongoing concerns regarding the mother’s drug
use. Id. Zachmeyer’s testimony reflects that T.H. attempted to evade the
Department’s drug screens, and refused to submit to hair follicle drug testing. RR,
p.11. This conduct, in combination with T.H.’s previous history, resulted in
A.L.H.’s placement in the Department’s conservatorship on January 30, 2014. Id.;
trial proceedings appears. Citations will be abbreviated “RR” followed by a notation of the page
on which the cited material appears. Similarly, citations to material appearing in the Clerk’s
Record will be abbreviated with “CR” followed by the appropriate page number.
2
When this case was initiated by the Department, its petition reflected that L.M.’s paternity had
not yet been established. CR 4-5. Accordingly it named him as an alleged father and made the
request that the court determine L.M.’s paternity. CR 4-5. The trial court’s file contains two
orders reflecting actions the court took pursuant to this request. Neither of these orders appears
in the clerk’s record in this appeal, but they are attached to this brief as Attachments 2 and 3, and
a request to supplement the record has been made. The first order was entered on February 13,
2014 and required L.M. to submit to paternity testing. Attachment 2. The record reflects that
L.M. failed to comply with this order as the court again ordered paternity testing on October 7,
2014, this time however requiring Ms. Moore, A.L.H.’s paternal aunt, to submit to the testing.
Attachment 3. In addition, the Department’s caseworker, Amy Zachmeyer testified that it was
only through the aunt’s provision of a DNA sample that the court was able to adjudicate L.M. as
A.L.H.’s father. RR, p.8.
-2-
see also CR 22-24, 29 (Trial Court’s Order for Protection of a Child in an
Emergency).
As a result of the parents’ history, which involved prior orders terminating
their parental rights, the Department did not offer T.H. or L.M. rehabilitative
services during the time A.L.H. was in its care. RR, pp.14-15. Nonetheless, the
Department made efforts to keep A.L.H. with his family. RR, pp.12-13. During
the investigation of the report which brought A.L.H. to the Department’s attention,
the child’s paternal Aunt, Maravi Moore, contacted the Department to say that she
was willing to take A.L.H. into her home in Arizona. RR, pp. 6, 21, 30-31. The
Department subsequently requested a study of Ms. Moore’s home from the state of
Arizona, the final results of which it received in August of 2014. RR, pp.12-13.
Based on those results, the Department requested that the court place A.L.H. with
his aunt, and facilitated a visit between the two on the day the case was tried. RR,
pp.12-13, 17, 20.
By the time of trial, T.H. had executed an Irrevocable Affidavit of Voluntary
Relinquishment of Parental Rights and, according to Zachmeyer’s testimony,
wanted the court to terminate her parental rights to A.L.H. P-Ex 1, p. 93; RR, p.8.
In addition, during the ten months A.L.H. was in the Department’s care, L.M.
never attended a court hearing, never sent anything for the care or support of his
-3-
son, and never requested nor attended a visit with A.L.H. RR, p.10, 11-12.
Neither of A.L.H.’s parents was present at trial. RR, p.7.
The case was tried on December 3, 3014, when A.L.H. was fifteen months
old. RR, pp.1, 78; CR 4-5. Zachmeyer was the first witness to testify. RR, pp.7.
She stated that, at that time, A.L.H. had been in the Department’s care for ten
months and had been residing with his current foster family since the previous
May. RR, p.7, 12. She stated he was bonded to his foster parents and thriving in
their home. RR, p.18. She described the foster home as safe and loving, that
A.L.H. was happy and well cared for there, and said the foster parents would
provide a good adoptive home for the child. RR, p.18, 23.
It was Zachmeyer’s understanding that T.H., though not present, was asking
the court to terminate her parental rights to A.L.H. on the basis of the voluntary,
irrevocable affidavit of relinquishment that T.H. executed.3 RR, p.7. Zachmeyer
also testified that L.M., who also was not present, had been shown to be A.L.H.’s
father on the basis of a DNA sample that was collected from L.M.’s sister, Ms.
Moore. RR, p.8. It was the Department’s goal for Ms. Moore to adopt A.L.H.
RR, p.9.
3
The Department placed T.H.’s Irrevocable Affidavit of Voluntary Relinquishment of Parental
Rights in evidence as Petitioner’s Exhibit 1. There were no objections to its admission, and no
other evidence was presented by any party regarding this affidavit.
-4-
Zachmeyer stated that, though she had never seen L.M. in person, she had
some contact with him during the case. RR, p.9. Her most recent contact with him
was during the preceding month when L.M. called her on the phone. Id. During
that conversation, L.M. informed Zachmeyer that he was not a citizen of the
United States, that the laws of this country did not apply to him, and that the
Department should give his children back. Id. Zachmeyer subsequently indicated
the Department had concerns about L.M.’s mental health. RR, pp.9-10. She
testified that he had not requested to have nor came to any visits with A.L.H., had
not provided the Department with anything for A.L.H.’s care or support during the
pendency of the case, and, though he came to court on one occasion, did not attend
any of the hearings in the case. RR, pp.10, 11-12.
Zachmeyer stated that L.M. had a total of four children with T.H., and that
all of those children were placed in the Department’s care. Id. She said that the
three children born before A.L.H. came into care as a result of T.H.’s drug use. Id.
Similarly, she described that A.L.H. was placed in the Department’s
conservatorship because of concerns that T.H., “was trying to evade the urine drug
screen by trying to clean her system with cayenne pepper,” and refused to submit
to a hair follicle drug test. RR, p.11. Zachmeyer also testified that, though L.M.
was not present when A.L.H. was born, L.M. knew about the child’s birth and had
reason to believe that leaving A.L.H. with his mother would place the child in
-5-
physical or emotional danger. RR, p.11. Nonetheless, L.M. did nothing to
alleviate that concern. Id. It was Zachmeyer’s belief that L.M. knowingly allowed
A.L.H. to remain in a dangerous environment, and constructively abandoned the
child during the time A.L.H. was in the Department’s care. RR, p.14.
According to Zachmeyer, the Department identified A.L.H.’s aunt as a
possible placement for the child sometime in May of 2014. RR, p.12.
Subsequently, the Department requested a study of Ms. Moore’s home be
conducted in Arizona, the results of which the Department received on August 12,
2014 approximately four months before trial. Id. After reviewing the study, the
Department approved it and sought the placement of A.L.H. with his aunt. RR,
pp.12-13. It also facilitated a visit between Ms. Moore and A.L.H. on the morning
of trial. RR, p.13, 17, 20. Zachmeyer described that everything went fine at the
visit and that it was “very appropriate.” Id. She said that it was the Department’s
request of the court that A.L.H. be placed with Ms. Moore. RR, p.14.
She then testified she believed that terminating L.M. and T.H.’s parental
rights was in A.L.H.’s best interest. RR, p.15. She described that the parents’
conduct showed a history of ongoing drug use and mental health issues, and that
the parents did nothing during the case to mitigate the risk posed to A.L.H. by their
conduct. RR, p.15. Rather, Zachmeyer testified it was in A.L.H.’s best interest to
-6-
be placed with his aunt, so that he could grow up with and know his biological
family. Id.
The next witness to testify was Ms. Moore, A.L.H.’s paternal aunt. RR,
p.30. Ms. Moore said she found out that A.L.H. was in the Department’s custody
in January of 2014, during the investigation which led to the child’s removal from
his parents’ care. Id. She contacted the Department and told the investigator that
she was available to care for the child. Id. She explained that she was unaware
that she was allowed to visit A.L.H. until later in the case when the court asked her
to provide a DNA sample for genetic testing. RR, p.31.
Ms. Moore testified that she had “little to no contact” with L.M., and said
she would not allow L.M. to be involved in A.L.H.’s life. RR, p.36. She said she
was aware that L.M. had problems with drugs, that he used crack and cocaine, and
that he had been to jail though she was not certain why. RR, p.39. She described
that, before the Department was involved, A.L.H. had to be cared for by an adult
other than T.H. or L.M. because at one point both parents were in jail. RR, pp. 44-
45. When asked what she would do if either of A.L.H.’s parents, “decided to try to
come back into [A.L.H.’s] life,” Ms. Moore responded, “No. I would not allow it.
Once he is with me, he is considered my son, and just like my other two, I would
protect him…” RR, p.36. She said that, “though my brother wasn’t responsible
for doing the right thing, I want to do the right thing.” RR, p.37.
-7-
She testified further that she was only aware of two of her brother’s children,
including A.L.H., and was only able to obtain information about their well-being
by contacting the Department because it was her understanding that both were
involved with the Department from birth. RR, pp.41-42. She said a grandmother
had adopted one of the children, and would not speak to Ms. Moore or let Ms.
Moore see the child because, “[the grandmother] doesn’t want anything to do with
my brother.” RR, p.42, 44. Regarding another of A.L.H.’s siblings, a girl, Ms.
Moore was told that the judge would only consider her for placement if L.M. took
a DNA test, which he failed to do. Id. When Ms. Moore offered to take a DNA
test herself, she said the judge would not consider it, “because of what my brother
did in court.” RR, p.43.
Ms. Moore explained that she was not close to either of her brothers, and
does not communicate with them other than on holidays. RR, p.49-50. When
asked to explain why, she said:
“To me, you should do everything you can to provide for your
children. And when you’re not doing that, I have a problem with that.
And those responsibilities always fall on me. And I’m contacting the
parent and the mother, actually, and financially I have been provider
for those kids.”
RR, p.50.
Ms. Moore then clarified that she was describing both of her brothers, and said she
provided financial support for both of their children. Id.
-8-
The next witness to testify was A.L.H.’s foster mother. RR, p.53-54. She
said that A.L.H. had been in her home for a little over six months, and that she and
her husband wanted to adopt him. RR, p.54. She felt that he had bonded to her
and her husband, and had grown and matured drastically while in their home. Id.
She felt that it would harm A.L.H.’s well-being were he to be removed from their
home after having lived there for six months. RR, p.55. She described that they
were taking A.L.H. to all of his medical appointments and to a therapist to make
sure he was bonded and growing appropriately for his age. Id. When he first came
to their care, the foster mother testified that he cried all the time, and had a
persistent cough related to pertussis as well as seasonal allergies. RR, p.59.
Since that time, she said he no longer cries all the time and is a happy little boy.
Id.
The last witness to testify was A.L.H.’s therapist, Connie Patterson. RR,
p.63. She stated that she provides therapy to post-adopt and foster children on a
contractual basis with the Department. RR, p.63-64. She first met with A.L.H. and
his foster parents on July 23, 2014, and in total met with them five or six times for
an hour on each visit. RR, pp.63-64. She said it was her opinion that A.L.H. was
showing a secure attachment to his foster parents. RR, p.65-66. She also
described that the foster parents provided a good, safe, and loving environment for
A.L.H. and it was her recommendation that he stay in their home. RR, p.68.
-9-
After the close of testimony, the trial court terminated T.H.’s parental rights
under section 161.001(1)(K) of the Texas Family Code and L.M.’s rights under
sections 161.001(1)(D) and (N). Tex. Fam. Code Ann. §§ 161.001(1)(D), (K), (N)
(West 2008). RR, p.82. The court took the issue of whether to place A.L.H. with
his aunt or his foster parents under advisement. Id. It signed its decree on
December 17, 2014 reflecting the above grounds for termination of the parents’
rights, as well as the finding that termination was in A.L.H.’s best interest under
section 161.001(2) of the Texas Family Code, and named the Department A.L.H.’s
sole managing conservator. CR 123; Tex. Fam. Code Ann. §161.001(2) (West
2008). L.M. filed his notice of appeal on December 24, 2014, and T.H. filed hers
on December 31, 2014. CR 150, 162.
SUMMARY OF ARGUMENT
This brief responds to the contentions raised in the appellant Mother, T.H.’s,
as well as the appellant father, L.M.’s appeals. T.H.’s arguments are that there was
insufficient evidence to support the termination of her parental rights under
subsection (K) of section 161.001(1) of the Texas Family Code. In support, her
brief presents that there was no evidence in the record showing that she voluntarily
executed the affidavit of relinquishment of her parental rights, which was the basis
for the trial court’s termination of those rights. She also contends that there was
insufficient evidence supporting that termination of her rights was in the child’s
- 10 -
best interest. Both of these arguments misapprehend the law applicable to the
court’s findings and fail to acknowledge the evidence supportive of those findings.
First, while the Department met its burden of proof under subsection (K),
T.H. failed to meet hers. Cases which have analyzed similar challenges have held
that, where the Department places in evidence an affidavit of relinquishment which
meets the requirements of the Texas Family Code, it presents prima facie evidence
of the validity of the affidavit. See Montes v. Dep't of Family & Protective
Services, 01-10-00643-CV, 2011 WL 2089721, at *3 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st
Dist.] May 19, 2011, no pet.); see also Denman v. Alternatives In Motion, 14-99-
01262-CV, 2001 WL 40350, at *2 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] Jan. 18, 2001,
no pet.); Tex. Fam. Code Ann. §161.103 (West 2008) (setting forth the legal
requirements for a valid affidavit of relinquishment of parental rights). In order to
attack the affidavit, the affiant must show, by a preponderance of the evidence, that
its execution was the result of fraud, duress, or coercion. Id.; see also Tex. Fam.
Code Ann. §161.211(c) (West 2008) (providing that an attack on such an affidavit
is limited to issues relating to fraud, duress, or coercion).
In this case, the Department placed in evidence as Petitioner’s Exhibit 1, the
mother’s Irrevocable Affidavit of Voluntary Relinquishment of Parental Rights.
The affidavit comports with the requirements set forth in section 161.103 of the
Family Code, its language states it was voluntarily executed, and the Department’s
- 11 -
caseworker presented evidence at trial, in the mother’s absence, that it was the
mother’s desire that the trial court terminate her parental rights on the basis of the
affidavit. The mother’s attorney presented no objection to the admission of the
affidavit nor to the caseworker’s testimony. And, as acknowledged in T.H.’s brief,
there was no other evidence presented at any time, either at trial or at a hearing on
a motion for new trial, supporting that the affidavit was produced by fraud, duress,
or coercion as required. Given this record, the appellant mother’s brief presents no
basis for finding error in the trial court’s subsection (K) finding.
The trial court’s best interest finding in support of the termination of T.H.’s
rights is similarly supported by the record. First, previous courts, including this
one, have held that a relinquishment affidavit is itself sufficient evidence to support
that termination of the parent’s rights is in the child’s best interest. Brown v.
McLennan County Children's Protective Services, 627 S.W.2d 390 (Tex. 1982); In
re A.G.C., 279 S.W.3d 441, 452 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2009, no pet.)
citing Brown, 627 S.W.2d 390; Denman v. Alternatives In Motion, 14-99-01262-
CV, 2001 WL 40350, at *2 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] Jan. 18, 2001, no
pet.). The same rule should be applied in this case where the affidavit itself states
that termination of T.H.’s rights is in A.L.H.’s best interest, T.H. failed to appear at
trial to object to the affidavit or present any evidence attacking it, and the
- 12 -
Department presented uncontested evidence that it was the mother’s desire to have
her parental rights terminated on the basis of the affidavit.
Nonetheless, the evidence was that A.L.H. was removed from his parents’
care as a result of T.H.’s drug use, that T.H. and L.M. had three previous children,
all of whom had also been removed from their care because of T.H.’s involvement
with drugs, that T.H. did little during this case to show she had improved her
conduct, but executed an affidavit indicating she wished to relinquish her rights to
A.L.H., and failed to appear at trial. In contrast, the record shows the Department
provided A.L.H. with a foster family who provided a loving, stable home for
A.L.H., and who wished to adopt the child. It also located a paternal relative –
A.L.H.’s aunt Ms. Moore, and conducted a study of her home which indicated she
was also willing and able to care for the child. Thus, the Department presented
evidence showing it was able to provide A.L.H. with stability and permanency,
whereas A.L.H.’s mother provided nothing to contest this evidence. The record
therefore contains sufficient support for the trial court’s finding that terminating
T.H.’s parental rights was in A.L.H.’s best interest.
L.M.’s appeal presents two issues regarding the sufficiency of the evidence
to support the trial court’s termination of his rights under sections 161.001(D) and
(N) of the Texas Family Code. Under section (N), which allows for termination
where a parent constructively abandons a child, L.M.’s brief contends first, that the
- 13 -
evidence failed to reflect that he was unable to provide the child with a safe
environment because A.L.H.’s aunt was available to care for the child; and second
that the Department failed to make reasonable efforts to return the child because it
did not provide L.M. with a family service plan.
As to L.M.’s first argument, his brief presents no authority for the
proposition that a parent may avoid a subsection (N) finding where a relative is
available to care for the subject child. Cases have held that, when a parent is
incarcerated, he may show his ability to provide the child with a safe environment
by making arrangements with a surrogate caregiver who agrees to provide care on
the parent’s behalf. In re. D.S.A., 113 S.W.3d 567, 573-74 (Tex. App.—Amarillo
2003, no pet.); see also In re. V.D.A., 14-14-00561-CV, 2014 WL 7347776, at *9 (Tex.
App.—Houston [14th Dist.] December 23, 2014, no pet.) (“An incarcerated parent may
provide a safe environment for a child through family members.”). However, there was
no evidence indicating that L.M. was incarcerated at the time of trial, or otherwise
prohibited or rendered incapable of providing A.L.H. with a safe environment. Moreover,
there was nothing in the record indicating that the relative, Ms. Moore, was identified as a
result of any effort engaged in by L.M., or that she was agreeing to care for A.L.H. on
L.M.’s behalf. Rather, her testimony was that she had very limited contact with L.M.,
that if A.L.H. were placed with her she would not allow L.M. to come back into the
child’s life, and would protect the child from L.M. Given the evidence that L.M.
attended none of the hearings during this case, did not visit or request a visit with A.L.H.
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during the ten months the child was placed with the Department, did not provide any
support for A.L.H.’s care, and failed to appear at trial, there was sufficient evidence
presented by the Department that L.M. demonstrated little involvement or interest in
A.L.H.’s welfare, amply showing an inability to provide the child with a safe
environment.
L.M.’s second argument – that the Department failed to make reasonable efforts to
return A.L.H. to L.M.’s care – should also fail. Though true that the Department did not
provide L.M. with a family service plan, previous cases have demonstrated that such a
failure does not, in itself, indicate a lack of the reasonable efforts required by subsection
(N). See In re. D.A., No. 02-09-00460-CV, 2010 WL 3618718, at * 3-4 (Tex.
App.—Fort Worth September 16, 2010, no pet.) (mem.op.) (affirming termination
of appellant father’s rights though Department provided no family service plan); In
re. B.S.T., 977 S.W.2d 481 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 1998, no pet.),
overruled on other grounds by In re. C.H., 89 S.W.3d 17, 26 (Tex. 2002). In this
case, L.M.’s paternity as to A.L.H. was not established when the child came into
the Department’s care. Nonetheless, the Department served L.M. with its petition,
and requested that the court conduct genetic testing to determine L.M.’s paternity.
The court’s orders reflect the continuing efforts the Department made to that end.
On February 13, 2014, the court ordered L.M. to submit to paternity testing.
However, the record reflects he failed to comply and it was only when the
Department was able to work with A.L.H.’s paternal aunt that the court obtained
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the evidence needed to adjudicate L.M.’s paternity. On October 7, 2014, the court
ordered Ms. Moore to submit to genetic testing. Ms. Moore testified that she relied
on the Department’s assistance to get the test completed, and on November 18,
2014, the court entered an order establishing that L.M. was A.L.H.’s father.
In addition, the Department made significant efforts to return A.L.H. to his
family by conducting a study of L.M.’s sister’s home, and subsequently requesting
at trial that A.L.H. be placed with her. Considering the evidence in the record that
L.M. did not see or try to see A.L.H. for the ten months this case was pending, and
attended none of the hearings in the case, including trial, it was reasonable for the
Department to turn to a relative in order to return A.L.H. to his family because
L.M.’s conduct supported that he had little interest himself in the child’s return. As
efforts similar to those the Department made in this case have been held to be
sufficient in previous cases where fathers show themselves not to be involved in
their child’s life, the trial court’s termination of L.M.’s parental rights under
subsection (N) should be affirmed.
Lastly, the court need not review the evidence that supports the trial court’s
subsection (D) finding that L.M. knowingly allowed A.L.H. to remain in
endangering conditions or surroundings because the evidence amply supports
termination under subsection (N), and only one of the statutory grounds under
section 161.001(1) is necessary to support termination of L.M.’s parental rights.
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Nonetheless, should the court find review of this ground necessary, the record
demonstrates sufficient evidence in support of subsection (D) as well. That
evidence included the Department’s testimony, through Zachmeyer, that L.M.
knowingly allowed A.L.H. to remain in T.H.’s care, even though she had
demonstrated a history of drug use endangering to her previous children. The
record shows that L.M. and T.H. had three children previous to A.L.H., and that all
three were removed from their parents’ care as a result of T.H.’s drug use. When
trial occurred in this case, none of their three previous children were in the parents’
care. Zachmeyer also testified that, though L.M. was not present at A.L.H.’s birth,
he knew of the child. In addition to this evidence was testimony from Ms. Moore,
indicating that L.M.’s conduct created an endangering environment for A.L.H. She
described that L.M. had a problem with drugs, that he used crack cocaine, and that
he also had engaged in criminal conduct resulting in his incarceration before the
Department became involved with A.L.H. She could not identify the crime which
led to L.M.’s incarceration, but stated that he was in jail at the same time that T.H.
was incarcerated, necessitating that another adult provide care for A.L.H. This
evidence was uncontested and, taken together, supported the trial court’s
subsection (D) endangerment finding. As such, the trial court’s termination of
L.M.’s parental rights should be affirmed and the arguments in L.M.s brief
overruled.
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ARGUMENT AND AUTHORITIES
REPLY POINT ONE: There was sufficient evidence to support the trial
court’s termination of the appellant Mother’s parental rights under section
161.001(1)(K) of the Texas Family Code.
1. Applicable Law, and Scope of Review
Section 161.001 of the Family Code was the statutory basis by which the
Department sought parental termination. CR 2; Tex. Fam. Code Ann. §161.001
(West 2008). Accordingly, Section 161.001 of the Family Code is the focus of the
challenges the parents have brought in this appeal. Section 161.001 of the Family
Code authorizes termination of parental rights on a finding by clear and convincing
evidence that (1) the parent committed at least one of several acts or omissions
listed under section 161.001(1) of the Family Code and (2) that termination is in
the child’s best interest. Tex. Fam. Code Ann. §161.001 (West 2008).
With respect to the applicable standard of review, this court’s standard
considers the clear and convincing burden of proof at trial. See In re C.H., 89
S.W.3d 17, 25 (Tex. 2002) (“burden of proof at trial necessarily affects appellate
review of the evidence.”); In the Interest of J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d 256, 265-66 (Tex.
2002). In that connection, both legal and factual sufficiency challenges consider
the standard of proof for clear and convincing evidence by considering whether the
evidence is such that a fact-finder could reasonably form a firm belief or
conviction about the truth of the State's allegations. See In re C.H., 89 S.W.3d at p.
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25 (Tex. 2002); In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d at 265-66; Tex. Fam. Code Ann. §101.007
(West 2008).
In In re J.F.C. the Supreme Court explained that in light of the identical
inquiries made to the clear and convincing standard, the distinction between legal
and factual sufficiency when the burden of proof is clear and convincing evidence
may be a fine one in some cases, but that there is a distinction in how the evidence
is reviewed. 96 S.W.3d at p. 266. To clarify that distinction, the court explained
that in a legal sufficiency review, a court should look at all of 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, giving
appropriate deference to the trier of fact. Id. In a factual sufficiency review, a
court of appeals must give due consideration to evidence that the fact-finder could
reasonably have found to be clear and convincing and with respect to disputed
evidence, a court should consider whether the disputed evidence is such that a
reasonable fact-finder could not have resolved that disputed evidence in favor of its
finding. Id. If, in light of the entire record, the disputed evidence that a reasonable
fact-finder could not have credited in favor of the finding is so significant that a
fact-finder could not reasonably have formed a firm belief or conviction, then the
evidence is factually insufficient. 96 S.W.3d at 266-67.
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2. Termination of the appellant Mother’s rights was warranted where
her affidavit of relinquishment was executed in accordance with what is
required by law, it was admitted into evidence without objection, and
the mother presented no evidence that it was made involuntarily as she
claims on appeal.
In her first issue the Appellant Mother, T.H., contends that the evidence was
legally and factually insufficient to support the trial court’s termination of her
parental rights under Tex. Fam. Code Ann. §161.001(1)(K). This provision allows
a court to order termination of a parent-child relationship if the court finds by clear
and convincing evidence that a parent has executed an unrevoked or irrevocable
affidavit of relinquishment of parental rights in accordance with Chapter 161 of the
Texas Family Code. Tex. Fam. Code Ann. §161.001(1)(K) (West 2008). Section
161.103 sets forth what such an affidavit must contain, and section 161.211
provides that a direct or collateral attack on an order terminating parental rights
based on an affidavit of relinquishment is limited to issues relating to fraud, duress,
or coercion in the execution of the affidavit. Tex. Fam. Code Ann. §§ 161.103,
161.211 (West 2008).
Moreover, courts addressing the issue T.H. raises in this appeal have held
that, implicit in subsection (K)’s requirements is that an affidavit of relinquishment
of parental rights must be voluntarily executed. Montes v. Dep't of Family &
Protective Services, 01-10-00643-CV, 2011 WL 2089721, at *3 (Tex. App.—
Houston [1st Dist.] May 19, 2011, no pet.). The proponent of termination carries
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the burden to establish by clear and convincing evidence that the affidavit was
executed according to the requirements set forth in section 161.103. Id. An
affidavit that meets these requirements provides prima facie evidence that it is
valid, and the admission of such an affidavit into evidence shifts the burden to the
affiant to show, by a preponderance of the evidence, that its execution was the
result of fraud, duress, or coercion. Id.; see also Denman v. Alternatives In
Motion, 14-99-01262-CV, 2001 WL 40350, at *2 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th
Dist.] Jan. 18, 2001, no pet.). Where the affiant presents no evidence of any
wrongdoing or irregularity in the execution of the affidavit, a trial court does not
err in terminating a parent’s rights under subsection (K). See Denman, 2001 WL
40350 at *2 (holding it was not error to deny a motion to revoke an affidavit of
relinquishment where the affiant failed to establish any of the recognized grounds
for doing so); see also In re F.L.I., 01-97-01192-CV, 1998 WL 418094, at *1 (Tex.
App.—Houston [1st Dist.] July 23, 1998, no pet.) (affirming termination under
subsection (K) where the appellant produced no evidence of the duress she claimed
occurred).
In this case, the Department met its burden by placing in evidence T.H.’s
affidavit of relinquishment. At trial, the Department requested admission, as
Petitioner’s Exhibit 1, of an Irrevocable Affidavit of Voluntary Relinquishment of
Parental Rights executed by T.H. RR, pp.7-8; see also P-Ex 1, RR, p.93-97. T.H.
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was not present on the day of trial, but her attorney stated on the record there was
no objection to the admission of the affidavit into evidence. RR, pp. 7-8. The
court noted that, “P1 is admitted.” RR, p.8. A review of the affidavit shows that it
conforms to the requirements of section 161.103 of the Family Code. See P-Ex 1,
RR, p.93 and Tex. Fam. Code Ann. §161.103 (West 2008). Moreover, at trial, the
Department’s caseworker provided testimony, without objection, that it was
Zachmeyer’s understanding that T.H. was asking the trial court to terminate her
parental rights based on her execution of the affidavit of relinquishment. RR, p.8.
No other evidence appears in the record regarding the affidavit, and neither the
mother nor her attorney presented any evidence either at trial or in a motion for
new trial supporting that T.H.’s execution of the affidavit was involuntary or
produced by fraud, duress, or coercion. See Tex. Fam. Code Ann. §161.211(c)
(West 2008).
As has been held before, the facts presented in this case are sufficient to
support the trial court’s termination of T.H.’s parental rights on the basis of her
relinquishment affidavit. See Denman, 14-99-01262-CV, 2001 WL 40350, at *2.
In Denman, a mother sought to revoke an affidavit of relinquishment that she had
executed, and alleged that the appellee child-placing agency engaged in fraud and
coercion. Id. at *1. However at the hearing on her motion, she presented no
evidence of any wrongdoing and the record revealed no evidence of such conduct.
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Id. This court held, “As appellant failed to establish any recognized grounds for
setting aside the affidavit of relinquishment, the trial court did not err in denying
her motion.” Id. Similarly, in In re. F.L.I., the appellant mother sought review of
the termination of her rights on the basis that her affidavit of relinquishment was
not voluntarily signed, but was the result of duress. 1998 WL 418094, at *2.
However, as was true in the present case, the mother was not present at the hearing
at which her rights were terminated, and she failed to present evidence of duress at
the hearing on her motion for new trial. Id. The court in that case stated, “The
appellant brought forth no evidence to prove fraud, duress, misrepresentation,
overreaching, or involuntariness,” and it overruled her complaint on appeal. Id.;
see also Montes v. Dep't of Family & Protective Services, 01-10-00643-CV, 2011
WL 2089721, at *3 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] May 19, 2011, no pet.)
(affirming termination under subsection (K) where appellant father presented
evidence he felt pressured, but failed to establish duress or other wrongdoing in the
execution of his affidavit of relinquishment).
In this case, as acknowledged in her brief, T.H.’s appeal points to no
evidence nor makes any argument that there was any fraud, duress or coercion in
the execution of her affidavit. Appellant T.H.’s Brief, pp.29-30. Rather, the
argument her brief presents is that there was insufficient evidence to show that her
affidavit was voluntarily executed. Id. at p.30, FN 3. This argument fails to
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acknowledge the evidence of the affidavit itself – which includes the statement, “I
freely, voluntarily, and permanently give and relinquish…all my parental rights,” –
or that the admission of the affidavit into evidence “provide[d] prima facie
evidence that it is valid.” Montes, 01-10-00643-CV, 2011 WL 2089721, at *3.
Once the Department placed the affidavit into evidence, it was T.H.’s burden to
establish her execution of it was the result of fraud, duress, or coercion as required
by 161.211(c). Tex. Fam. Code Ann. §161.211(c) (West 2008). Just as in the
cases cited above, T.H. produced no such evidence and her brief acknowledges as
much. See Denman, 14-99-01262-CV, 2001 WL 40350, at *2; In re of F.L.I., 01-
97-01192-CV, 1998 WL 418094, at *1. Therefore, her argument on this point
should be overruled.
3. There was sufficient evidence supporting that termination of the
appellant Mother’s rights was in the child’s best interest where she
executed an affidavit of relinquishment, averred in the affidavit that
termination was in the child’s best interest, failed to appear at trial or
present any evidence, and the Department’s plans for the child indicated
his best interest would be served by terminating the Mother’s rights.
T.H.’s second argument is that the trial court had insufficient evidence to
support its conclusion that termination of T.H.’s parental rights was in A.L.H.’s
best interest. Appellant T.H.’s brief, p.35. The terms “best interest of the child”
used in section 161.001(2) of the Family Code is not statutorily defined; however,
the Supreme Court in Holley v. Adams, 544 S.W.2d 367, 371-72 (Tex. 1976),
recognized a non-exhaustive list of factors that have been considered in
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determining a child's best interest. Those factors include: (1) the child's desires; (2)
the child's emotional and physical needs, 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 individual seeking custody; (5) the programs available to assist these
individuals in promoting the child's best interests; (6) the plans for the child by the
individual or the agency seeking custody; (7) the stability of the home or proposed
placement; (8) the parent's acts or omissions which may indicate the existing
parent-child relationship is not a proper one; and (9) any excuse for the parent's
acts or omissions. Id.
Preliminarily, in cases in which a parent has executed an Irrevocable
Affidavit of Voluntary Relinquishment of Parental Rights, as T.H. did here, courts
have held that such an affidavit is itself sufficient evidence to support that
termination of the parent’s rights is in the child’s best interest. See Brown v.
McLennan County Children's Protective Services, 627 S.W.2d 390 (Tex. 1982)
(“we find it was the intent of the Legislature to make such an affidavit of
relinquishment sufficient evidence on which the trial court can make a finding that
termination is in the best interest of the children.”); In re A.G.C., 279 S.W.3d 441,
452 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2009, no pet.) citing Brown, 627 S.W.2d
390; Denman v. Alternatives In Motion, 14-99-01262-CV, 2001 WL 40350, at *2
(Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] Jan. 18, 2001, no pet.) (finding mother’s
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affidavit of relinquishment sufficient evidence to support best interest finding). The
same rule should apply in this case where the mother executed her affidavit of
relinquishment, did not appear at trial, there was no objection made by mother’s
counsel to the entry of the affidavit into evidence, and the affidavit itself states,
“Termination of the parent-child relationship is in the best interest of the child.” P-
Ex 1, RR, pp.93, 95. Moreover, the Department’s caseworker provided undisputed
testimony that “the mother is asking the court to terminate her parental rights based
on her voluntary irrevocable affidavit of relinquishment.” RR, p.8. The Department
contends that this evidence alone was sufficient to support the trial court’s best
interest finding.
Nonetheless, there is additional evidence in the record which supports that
finding. The evidence showed that when A.L.H. was placed in the Department’s
care he was T.H.’s fourth child and that all of her children had been removed from
her custody as a result of her drug use. RR, p.10. Zachmeyer testified that during
the Department’s investigation in this case, T.H. made attempts to evade the
Department’s drug testing, and that conduct in combination with the history of her
previous cases with the Department instigated the removal of A.L.H. from her care.
RR, p.11. Moreover, Moore testified that, before the Department became involved
with A.L.H., there was a time when both T.H. and L.M. were in jail, such that
A.L.H. was placed in the care of another adult. RR, pp.44-45. This evidence
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supported that T.H. lacked the ability to safely parent, engaged in acts which
indicated improper parenting, and posed a danger to A.L.H under the third, fourth,
and eighth Holley factors. Holley, 544 S.W.2d at 371-72.
The record additionally showed that the Department put in place appropriate
plans for the child that met his emotional and physical needs under the second and
sixth Holley factors. Id. By the time of trial, A.L.H. had been living with foster
parents to whom he had bonded and who the record demonstrates provided him
with a loving, supportive home. Zachmeyer testified that A.L.H. was bonded to his
foster parents, was thriving in their home, described the home as safe and loving,
and stated the foster parents would provide A.L.H. with a good, adoptive home for
the child. RR, p.18, 23. In addition, A.L.H.’s foster mother testified at trial, and
stated that she and her husband wished to adopt A.L.H., that he had bonded to her
and her husband, and that they had witnessed A.L.H. grow and mature
“drastically” while in their home. RR, pp.54. She described that when A.L.H. first
came into their care, he cried all the time and had a persistent cough related to
pertussis and seasonal allergies. RR, p.59. However, by the time of trial his foster
parents had met all of his medical needs and he was a happy little boy. Id. A.L.H’s
therapist echoed the foster mother’s testimony, and stated also that the foster
parents provided a good, safe and loving environment for A.L.H. RR, p.68. In
addition to A.L.H.’s foster parents, the Department also identified the child’s
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paternal aunt as a placement for the child. RR, p.12-13. The Department
completed a home study on Ms. Moore and the evidence showed she was
employed, and had made plans to take A.L.H. into her home. RR, pp.36-37. The
evidence therefore supported that the Department provided A.L.H. with stable
options that would meet his needs. Holley, 544 S.W.2d at 371-72.
In contrast, at trial, Zachmeyer testified that the parents’ conduct showed a
history of ongoing drug use which neither parent did anything to mitigate. RR,
p.15. Zachmeyer therefore concluded that terminating the parents’ rights was in
A.L.H.’s best interest. Id. Neither of A.L.H.’s parents appeared at trial and the only
evidence regarding T.H.’s plans or desires for the child was her affidavit of
relinquishment along with the caseworker’s testimony indicating she was asking
the trial court to terminate her parental rights. RR, pp.7-8.
On this record, the trial court had sufficient evidence from which to
conclude that termination of T.H.’s parental rights was in A.L.H.’s best interest as
required by section 161.001(2) of the Family Code. Tex. Fam. Code Ann.
§161.001(2) (West 2008). The arguments in T.H.’s brief to the contrary should be
overruled and the trial court’s termination of T.H.’s parental rights should be
affirmed.
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REPLY POINT TWO: There was sufficient evidence to support the trial
court’s termination of the appellant Father’s parental rights under section
161.001(1)(N) of the Texas Family Code.
1. The fact that the Department named a relative who was able to care
for A.L.H. did not preclude the trial court’s finding that L.M. lacked the
ability to provide the child with a safe environment under subsection
(N) where L.M. failed to participate in any meaningful way in the case,
was not incarcerated, and there was no evidence that the relative’s
willingness to provide care resulted from any arrangement with L.M.
In L.M.’s first point on appeal, his brief contends that there was insufficient
evidence to support the trial court’s finding that L.M. constructively abandoned
A.L.H., warranting termination of L.M.’s parental rights under section
161.001(1)(N) of the Texas Family Code. Tex. Fam. Code Ann. §161.001(1)(N)
(West 2008). A parent constructively abandons a child when (1) the child has been
in the permanent or temporary managing conservatorship of the State or an
authorized agency for not less than six months, (2) the State or the authorized
agency has made reasonable efforts to return the child to the parent, (3) the parent
has not regularly visited or maintained significant contact with the child, and (4)
the parent has demonstrated an inability to provide the child with a safe
environment. See Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 161.001(1)(N) (West 2008); In Interest of
V.D.A., 14-14-00561-CV, 2014 WL 7347776, at *3 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th
Dist.] Dec. 23, 2014, no pet.).
In his brief, L.M. concedes the Department sufficiently proved that A.L.H.
was in the Department’s care for the six month period required by the statute as
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well as that L.M. did not regularly visit or maintain significant contact with A.L.H.
Appellant L.M.’s Brief, p.25. His argument is that, because the Department
located a relative willing to care for A.L.H., the trial court was precluded from
finding that L.M. demonstrated an inability to provide a safe environment for the
child. Id. at 25-26. In addition, his brief contends that the Department failed to
make reasonable efforts to return A.L.H. under the second element of subsection
(N) because it did not provide L.M. with a family service plan. Id. at 26-28.
However, because these arguments both misconstrue the law applicable to a
finding under (N), they should fail.
As to L.M.’s first argument under this point, his brief presents no authority
for the proposition that the existence of a relative willing to care for a child
precludes a finding that a parent has demonstrated an inability to care for that child
under the facts presented by this case. It is true that where a parent is incarcerated
courts have held that, “the incarcerated parent may work through surrogates, such
as relatives, spouses, or friends to fulfill that obligation.” In re. D.S.A., 113 S.W.3d
567, 573-74 (Tex. App.—Amarillo 2003, no pet.); see also In re. A.S., 261 S.W.3d
76 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2008, pet. denied) citing In re. D.S.A., 113
S.W.3d at 573; also In re. V.D.A., 14-14-00561-CV, 2014 WL 7347776, at *9 (Tex.
App.—Houston [14th Dist.] December 23, 2014, no pet.) (“An incarcerated parent
may provide a safe environment for a child through family members.”). However,
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there is no evidence showing that L.M. was incarcerated during the time that
A.L.H. was in the Department’s care, and L.M.’s brief fails to cite to any case
indicating that an un-incarcerated parent may rely on a relative’s ability to supply a
safe environment for a child to substitute for the parent’s inability to do so.
Nonetheless, assuming without conceding that a parent who is not
imprisoned may demonstrate an ability to provide a child with a safe environment
by making arrangements with a relative caregiver, the record here amply
demonstrates that L.M. did not do so. In cases where an incarcerated parent has
made the claim that L.M. makes here – that there existed a relative able to care for
the child – courts have made plain that the parent themselves must make the
arrangement with a caregiver who is willing to play the role of surrogate parent to
the child. See In re. D.S.A., 113 S.W.3d at 573 citing In re. R.L.T., No. 07-02-
0332-CV, slip op. at 3-4, 2003 WL 21458782 (Tex. App.—Amarillo June 24, 2003,
no pet.). In In re. D.S.A., the appellant father argued that subsection (N) should not
apply to him because the fact that he was incarcerated precluded the Department
from showing, in relevant part, that the parent “demonstrated an inability to
provide the child with a safe environment.” Id. In rejecting this proposition, the
court in that case stated:
…it is quite conceivable that one in prison may still be able to
[provide the child a good environment] by, at the very least, leaving
the ward in the capable hands of a relative, friend or spouse. See In re
R.L.T., No. 07–02–0332–CV, slip op. at 3–4, 2003 WL 21458782,
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2003 Lexis 5289 (Tex. App.—Amarillo June 24, 2003) (wherein the
parent presented evidence that he could leave the child with a relative)
If such could be done, then it is conceivable that the State has the
ability to relinquish its custody over the youth and, thereby,
effectively return the child to the incarcerated parent. At the very least,
we cannot say that incarceration renders that possibility impossible.
And, it is simply a “cop-out” (in the vernacular of the 70's) for anyone
to conclude that prison ipso facto prevents (or relieves) the parent
from providing the child a safe environment. Again, the incarcerated
parent may be able to work through surrogates, such as relatives,
spouses, or friends, to fulfill that obligation. And, if he so arranges and
those surrogates agree to the arrangement, it is hard to deny that the
parent has taken steps to provide or effectively provided a safe
environment.
Id. (internal citations omitted).
The D.S.A. court’s analysis rested, in part, on reasoning applied in In re
R.L.T. to a different ground for termination that contains a similar element. See In
re R.L.T., 07-02-0332-CV, 2003 WL 21458782, at *2. Subsection (Q) allows for
termination where a parent knowingly engages in criminal conduct resulting in
conviction and imprisonment for no less than two years. Tex. Fam. Code Ann. §
161.001(1)(Q) (West 2008). The (Q) ground includes as an element, as does (N),
that a parent be unable to provide care for the child during that period. Id.; see In
re. H.R.M., 209 S.W.3d 105, 110 (Tex. 2006) (“Subsection Q looks at whether the
incarcerated parent will be unable to care for the child…). Courts have held with
subsection (Q) the same thing they have for subsection (N), which is that an
incarcerated parent who names a relative capable and willing to care for the child
may avoid termination under that ground. See In re. R.L.T., 07-02-0332-CV, 2003
- 32 -
WL 21458782, at *2; see also, e.g., In re. V.D.A., 14-14-00561-CV, 2014 WL
7347776, at *9. However, courts have made clear that it is not simply the existence
of a relative which demonstrates the parent’s ability to provide for the child, but the
parent’s ability to make arrangements with that relative, and the relative’s
willingness to be a proxy for the incarcerated parent. In re. H.R.M., 209 S.W.3d at
110 (“Absent evidence that the non-incarcerated parent agrees to care for the child
on behalf of the incarcerated parent, merely leaving a child with a non-incarcerated
parent does not constitute the ability to provide care.”). The court in In re R.L.T.
stated it this way:
Thus, we recognized that if the parent arranged for others to care for
the child while he was incarcerated and these others were willing to
and capable of caring for the child, then § 161.001(1)(Q) may be
inapplicable…Yet, we did not hold that the statute has no application
simply because someone or some entity may be available to care for
the child by default… To adopt such a proposition would effectively
nullify the proviso. In other words, the statute would never have
application for the State is always available by default to assume the
care of a child abandoned by its parents. Rather, it was and is implicit
in our opinion that the surrogate arise through agreement with or
arrangement by the incarcerated parent. We indicated as much when
we said that “the parent must produce some evidence as to how [the
parent] would provide or arrange to provide care for the child during
that period” of incarceration, and when the parent does so, then the
State must prove that “the arrangement would not satisfy the parent's
duty to the child.” In short, the incarcerated parent must show that
another is willing to assume his duties and act on his behalf while he
cannot act.
In re R.L.T., 07-02-0332-CV, 2003 WL 21458782, at *2 (Tex. App.—
Amarillo June 24, 2003, no pet.) citing In re Caballero, 53 S.W.3d
391 (Tex. App.—Amarillo 2001, pet. denied) (internal citations
- 33 -
omitted and emphasis added).
This court has made similar rulings in a case involving section (Q) where, as here,
the child’s paternal aunt was available to care for the child. In re D.Z.R.-M., 14-13-
01084-CV, 2014 WL 1390289, at *9 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] Apr. 8,
2014, no pet.). There was evidence in that case, as there is in this one, regarding
the Aunt’s plans and ability to care for the child. Id. The court found this evidence
insufficient to preclude the section (Q) finding, however, stating, “if the Aunt were
providing care in these circumstances, she would be doing so on her own behalf,
rather than agreeing to assume the Father's obligation to care for the Child while
the Father is incarcerated.” Id. The same reasoning should apply to an (N) ground
finding. Otherwise, if a parent could avoid the application of subsection (N) simply
because a safe environment is found for the child without the parent’s involvement,
then the statute would effectively be nullified. More appropriately, as indicated by
the court in In re. D.S.A., any arrangement for the substitute care of the child which
purports to demonstrate a parent’s ability to provide a safe environment should be
effected by the parent himself. In re. D.S.A., 113 S.W.3d at 573.
The record in this case is clear that L.M. did not arrange with Ms. Moore to
fulfill his obligation to provide a safe environment for A.L.H., nor did Ms. Moore
agree to act as parent on L.M.’s behalf. Rather, the evidence reflects that, during
the ten months A.L.H. was in the Department’s care, L.M. failed to attend any of
- 34 -
the hearings regarding the child, failed to send anything to aid in supporting or
caring for A.L.H., did not request any visitation with A.L.H., did not attend any
visits with A.L.H., and did not appear at trial. RR, pp.7, 10, 11-12. During the
most recent contact L.M. had with Zachmeyer during the month preceding trial,
L.M. made no indication that he wanted Ms. Moore to care for A.L.H. in his stead,
but rather told Zachmeyer to return his children to him. RR, p.9. Moreover, there is
nothing showing that Ms. Moore came to the Department’s attention as a possible
caregiver through any effort of L.M.’s. Ms. Moore’s testimony was that she called
the Department in January of 2014, during the investigation of the referral which
initiated this case, to offer to provide care for A.L.H. RR, p.30. Nowhere in the
record does it show that her offer resulted from an agreement she had with L.M. or
that she was willing to care for A.L.H. on L.M.’s behalf. On the contrary, Ms.
Moore testified that she was not close to either of her brothers, had little to no
contact with L.M., that she would not allow L.M. to “come back into [A.L.H.]’s
life,” and that she wanted to raise A.L.H., “as [her] son.” RR, p.34, 36, 49-50.
Therefore, even presuming that a non-incarcerated parent may rely on a
relative to avoid the application of a subsection (N) finding, the fact that Ms.
Moore came forward did not demonstrate in any way that L.M. himself was able to
provide for A.L.H.’s care. Rather, in light of the evidence presented by the
Department that L.M. made no effort to see, contact, or provide any support for
- 35 -
A.L.H. during the ten months the child was placed with the Department, the trial
court had ample support for its finding that L.M. made no demonstration of any
kind with regard to A.L.H.’s care, much less one of any ability to provide A.L.H.
with a safe environment. Given the evidence in the record, the trial court had more
than sufficient support for its conclusion that L.M. effectively abandoned A.L.H.,
and through his complete absence from A.L.H.’s life while the child was placed in
foster care, showed he was unable to safely provide for the child.
2. The record demonstrates sufficient evidence supporting that the
Department made reasonable efforts to return the child to L.M. where
the Department served L.M. with notice of the case, sought to establish
L.M.’s paternity, evaluated possible relative placements, and sought to
have the child placed with L.M.’s sister, particularly where L.M.’s
conduct indicated he had little interest in his child’s return.
L.M.’s second argument under this point is that there is nothing in the record
showing that the Department made reasonable efforts to return A.L.H. to L.M.’s
care as required by subsection (N). Appellant’s Brief, pp.26-27. In support, his
brief cites to the fact that the Department did not provide L.M. with a family
service plan. Id. However, as previous decisions have shown, the failure to create
a service plan does not, in itself, constitute a failure to make reasonable efforts to
return the child. See In re. D.A., No. 02-09-00460-CV, 2010 WL 3618718, at * 3-4
(Tex. App.—Fort Worth September 16, 2010, no pet.) (mem.op.) (affirming
termination of appellant father’s rights though Department provided no family
service plan); In re. B.S.T., 977 S.W.2d 481 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.]
- 36 -
1998, no pet.), overruled on other grounds by In re. C.H., 89 S.W.3d 17, 26 (Tex.
2002). Rather, previous cases demonstrate that where a father makes minimal or no
effort with regard to his child, as was reflected by L.M.’s conduct, efforts similar to
those the Department made in this case will be deemed reasonable. Id.
In affirming termination of the appellant fathers’ rights under subsection (N)
in both In re D.A. and In re B.S.T., the appellate courts noted the limited effort the
fathers made to be involved in their children’s lives. In re. D.A., 2010 WL
3618718, at * 3-5; In re. B.S.T, 977 S.W.2d at 486. In In re D.A., the father knew
his son was in the Department’s care but never called to inquire about the child,
never visited the child, denied he was the father, and did not appear at trial. In re.
D.A., 2010 WL 3618718, at * 3-4. In In re. B.S.T., the father did not deny paternity
but made no effort to sign an acknowledgment of paternity, visited his children
twice in three years, provided no support for the children, and though he appeared
at trial he refused to answer any questions. 977 S.W.2d at 483.
In light of the minimal efforts these fathers made, the Department’s efforts
were held to be reasonable even without the provision of a family service plan. In
re. D.A., 2010 WL 3618718, at * 3-5; In re. B.S.T, 977 S.W.2d at 486. In In re
D.A., the court found the Department’s efforts reasonable where the caseworker
called the appellant father on one occasion to ask him to go to court, attempted on
another occasion to phone the father but found the phone disconnected, and made
- 37 -
two unsuccessful attempts to serve the father. In re. D.A., 2010 WL 3618718, at *3-
4. Similarly, in In re B.S.T., the Department’s efforts were reasonable where it
conducted a diligent search to locate the father, asked him to sign an affidavit of
paternity, and advised the father of possible visitation. 977 S.W.2d 481, 486. In
neither of these cases did the Department provide the appellant father with a
service plan.
As the Department’s efforts in this case were greater than those made in In
re. D.A. and In re. B.S.T., the evidence here should support that they were
reasonable as required by section (N). Just as in the above cases, the Department
made efforts to notify L.M. regarding the case. Included in the trial court’s file is a
citation of service reflecting that the Department served L.M. with its original
petition.4 Moreover, Zachmeyer testified that, though she never saw L.M. in
person, she did communicate with him during the case, including in the month
leading up to trial. RR, p.9. Furthermore, similar to In re. D.A. and In re. B.S.A.,
when the Department filed its petition, there was nothing establishing that L.M.
was A.L.H.’s father. CR 4-5. The Department’s petition reflects that, when it was
filed, L.M. was only alleged to be A.L.H.’s father. Id. Accordingly, the Department
made the request in its petition that the court establish L.M.’s paternity, including
4
Though the citation of service reflecting that L.M. was served with the Department’s petition is
not included in the record, a request to supplement the record has been made and the citation of
service is attached to this brief as Attachment 1.
- 38 -
by utilizing genetic testing if necessary. CR 8. Subsequent court orders
demonstrate the Department’s continuing efforts in that regard.5 On February 13,
2104, roughly two weeks after A.L.H. was placed in the Department’s care, the
court entered an order requiring L.M. to appear for D.N.A. testing. See Attachment
2. The second order entered makes apparent that L.M. did not comply with the
first. See Attachment 2. On October 7, 2014, two months before trial, the court
ordered a D.N.A. test for the second time, this time however ordering Ms. Moore
to submit to the test. Id. Ms. Moore’s testimony reflects that she made attempts to
comply with the order, but was only successful with Zachmeyer’s assistance. RR,
pp.31-32. The following month, on November 18, 2014, approximately two weeks
prior to trial, the court signed an order adjudicating L.M. to be A.L.H.’s father. CR
115-17. Zachmeyer testified that it was through Ms. Moore’s D.N.A. test that
L.M.’s paternity was established, supporting that L.M. made no efforts in response
the those the Department made to establish that L.M. was A.L.H.’s father. RR, p.8.
This evidence, as did similar evidence in In re. D.A. and In re B.S.T., provided
support for the trial court’s finding that the Department made reasonable efforts
with regard to L.M., particularly considering L.M.’s efforts were so minimal.
There was additional evidence, moreover, showing the Department made
5
There were two orders entered during the case reflecting the effort to establish paternity. One
was signed on February 13, 2014 and the second on October 7, 2014. Neither appears in the
Clerk’s record on appeal, but a request to supplement the record has been made and copies of the
orders are attached as Attachments 2 and 3.
- 39 -
efforts to return A.L.H. to L.M. See In re A.S., 261 S.W.3d 76, 89-90 (Tex. App.—
Houston [14th Dist.] 2008, pet. denied) (noting that the performance of a home
study conducted on relatives was relevant to a determination regarding reasonable
efforts); see also In re. K.J.T.M., 06-09-00104-CV, 2010 WL 1664027, at *3 (Tex.
App.—Texarkana Apr. 27, 2010, no pet.) (noting the Department’s efforts to place
a child with relatives as supportive of a finding that it made reasonable efforts to
reunify under subsection (N)). The record here shows that the Department made
significant efforts to return A.L.H. to his family by conducting home studies on his
paternal aunt, and seeking the child’s placement with his Ms. Moore. Zachmeyer’s
testimony was that the Department identified Ms. Moore’s home as a possible
placement for A.L.H. sometime in May of 2014, at which point it requested a study
of the home be conducted in Arizona. RR, p.12. The Department reviewed the
results of that study when it received them in August of 2014, approved the home,
facilitated a visit between Ms. Moore and A.L.H. on the day of trial, and requested
at trial that A.L.H. be placed with Ms. Moore. RR, pp. 12-13, 14-15, 17, 20.
Zachmeyer testified at trial that it was her belief that placing the child with his
biological family was in the child’s best interest. RR, p.15. Given L.M.’s complete
absence from A.L.H.’s life while the child was in care and his lack of participation
in any aspect of the case, it was reasonable for the Department to seek placement
of the child with Ms. Moore in the effort to return the child to his family when
- 40 -
L.M. himself demonstrated so little interest in A.L.H.’s return. The record reflects
evidence that the Department made considerable efforts to achieve that goal. As
such, the trial court had sufficient evidence to support the termination of L.M.’s
parental rights under subsection (N) and the arguments in L.M.’s brief on this point
should be overruled.
REPLY POINT THREE: Though review of this ground is unnecessary, there
was sufficient evidence to support the trial court’s termination of the
Appellant Father’s parental rights under 161.001(1)(D) of the Texas Family
Code.
As only one predicate finding under Section 161.001(1) of the Family Code
was necessary to support the court’s parental termination decision with respect to
the father, and because the evidence clearly supported Subsection (N), the court’s
findings under Subsection (D) need not be reviewed. See In re A.V., 113 S.W.3d
355, 362 (Tex. 2003). Nonetheless, the challenge to the court’s finding under (D)
should also be overruled.
Subsection (D) of section 161.001(1) of the Family Code involves proof of
endangerment to the child, which is defined as exposing a child to loss or injury, or
jeopardizing a child's emotional or physical health. Texas Dep't of Human Servs. v.
Boyd, 727 S.W.2d 531, 533 (Tex.1987); Tex. Fam. Code Ann. §161.001(1)(D)
(West 2008). As explained by the Supreme Court, the proof for endangerment
does not have to be established as an independent proposition, but can be inferred
from parental misconduct alone. Boyd, 727 S.W.2d at p. 533. Also, it is not
- 41 -
necessary that the misconduct be directed at the child, occur in the child’s presence
or that the child actually suffer injury from it. See In re B.B., 971 S.W.2d 160, 166-
69 (Tex. App.—Beaumont 1998, pet. denied).
Subsection (D) requires a showing that the environment or conditions in
which the child is placed endangered the child's physical or emotional well-being.
See In re A.S., 261 S.W.3d 76, 83 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2008, pet.
denied). When the environment creates a potential for danger that a parent
consciously disregards, an endangerment finding under subsection (D) is
supported. In re S.M.L., 171 S.W.3d 472, 477 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.]
2005, no pet.). However, courts have noted that although the focus of subsection
(D) is on the child’s living environment, parental conduct may produce an
endangering environment. See In re M.T.W., 01-11-00162-CV, 2011 WL 6938542
(Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Dec. 29, 2011, no pet.) (stating that parental
misconduct in the child’s home supports a conclusion that the child’s surroundings
endanger the child). In that connection, a parent's inappropriate, abusive, or
unlawful conduct can produce an environment endangering to the physical and
emotional well-being of a child in order to provide the proof necessary for a
subsection (D) finding. In re M.R.J.M., 280 S.W.3d 494, 502 (Tex. App.—Fort
Worth 2009, no pet.).
- 42 -
In making the argument that the evidence was insufficient to support the trial
court’s section (D) finding, L.M.’s brief focuses narrowly on Zachmeyer’s
testimony without regard for the other evidence in the record which showed L.M.
endangered A.L.H. Appellant L.M.’s Brief, pp.29-30. Contrary to the arguments
in L.M.’s brief, however, the evidence when viewed in its entirety sufficiently
supports the trial court’s finding that termination of L.M.’s parental rights was
warranted under section (D).
As Zachmeyer testified, the evidence supported that L.M. knew that A.L.H.
would be exposed to an endangering environment with T.H., but did nothing to
protect the child. Moreover, the record reflects that L.M. himself engaged in
conduct which produced an endangering environment. The evidence was that,
before A.L.H. was born, T.H. and L.M. had three other children all of whom were
removed from their care because of T.H.’s use of drugs. RR, p.10. When this case
went to trial, one of A.L.H.’s siblings was placed with a relative, one was in a
foster home, and the third had been adopted by foster parents. RR, p.16-17.
A.L.H., in turn, was removed because of ongoing concerns regarding T.H.’s use of
drugs. RR, p.11. Zachmeyer testified that T.H. attempted to “clean her system
with cayenne pepper,” and refused to submit to a hair follicle drug test. Id. This
evidence was undisputed and showed an extensive history of the parents’
- 43 -
involvement with the Department and the loss of their three previous children, as
well as that T.H.’s involvement with drugs continued after A.L.H. was born.
This history supported Zachmeyer’s conclusion that L.M. was aware of the
danger that T.H.’s drug use posed to A.L.H. RR, p.11. Further evidence supported
her statement that, though aware of that danger, L.M. did nothing to protect A.L.H.
RR, p.14. She stated that though L.M. knew of A.L.H.’s birth, he was not present
when the child was born. RR, p.11. Given the parents’ history with their previous
children, it was Zachmeyer’s belief that L.M. left the child with T.H. knowing that
doing so was dangerous for A.L.H. RR, p.14. Moreover, L.M. consistently
demonstrated a similar lack of involvement throughout the case. He failed to visit
the child, did not ask to visit the child, did not provide any support for A.L.H.,
failed to comply with the Department’s efforts and the court’s orders to establish
his paternity, did not appear at any of the hearings regarding A.L.H., and did not
appear at trial. RR, pp.7, 10, 11-12, 31; Attachment 2.
Furthermore, the evidence of L.M.’s own conduct showed that he subjected
A.L.H. to an endangering environment. In addition to Zachmeyer’s testimony was
that given by Ms. Moore, who described that L.M. was involved in both drugs and
crime. RR, p.39. She stated that she was aware that L.M. had a problem with
using crack and cocaine, and that, before the Department became involved with
A.L.H., L.M. was engaged in criminal conduct which resulted in his incarceration.
- 44 -
RR, pp.39, 44-45. Though she could not say what criminal charge led to L.M.’s
incarceration, Moore testified that, on one occasion, both L.M. and T.H. were in
jail at the same time, leaving A.L.H. to be cared for by another adult. RR, pp.44-
45. That Ms. Moore considered L.M. a danger to A.L.H. was further supported by
her testimony that, should she receive placement of the child, she would not allow
L.M. “to come back into [A.L.H.]’s life,” but rather “would protect [A.L.H.],” as
she would her own children. RR, p.36. This testimony supported that Ms. Moore
considered L.M. dangerous to A.L.H., warranting the child’s needing protection
from him.
Therefore, given the entirety of the evidence of the record regarding L.M.’s
conduct and lack of involvement in A.L.H.’s life, the record provides sufficient
support for the trial court’s conclusion that L.M. knowingly allowed A.L.H. to
remain in conditions or surroundings which endangered the child’s physical or
emotional well-being. Should the court find it necessary to review the evidence in
support of this ground for termination, it should find the evidence sufficient and
affirm the trial court’s section (D) finding.
WHEREFORE, PREMISES CONSIDERED, Appellee Department of
Family & Protective Services requests that this court affirm the trial court’s
judgment and for such other and further relief as appropriate in law or in equity.
- 45 -
Respectfully submitted,
VINCE RYAN
COUNTY ATTORNEY
By: /s/ Robert J. Hazeltine-Shedd
Robert J. Hazeltine-Shedd
Assistant County Attorney
State Bar #24067652
1019 Congress, 17th Floor
Houston, Texas 77002
Phone: 713/274-5292; Fax: 713/437-4700
Email: robert.hazeltine-shedd@cao.hctx.net
Attorney for Appellee,
Department of Family & Protective Services
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that on this the 27th day of April, 2015 a true and correct
copy of the foregoing Appellee’s brief was sent to all parties to these appeals by
sending a copy of this brief by electronic transmission to William M. Thursland,
attorney for the Appellant Father, by email at wmthursland@hotmail.com as well
as to Donald M. Crane, attorney for the Appellant Mother, by email at
donmcrane@gmail.com, and to the attorneys ad litem for the child, Katie Flynn at
katie.flynn@att.net and John H. Spjut at spjutlaw@sbcglobal.net.
/s/ Robert J. Hazeltine-Shedd/
Robert J. Hazeltine-Shedd
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE WITH NUMBER OF WORDS
This is to certify, pursuant to Tex. R. App. P. 9.4(i)(3), that the foregoing
computer generated brief consists of no more than 15,000 words, excluding the
caption, identify of parties and counsel, table of contents, index of authorities,
statement of the case, statement of issues presented, statement of procedural
history, signature, proof of service, certification, certificate of compliance and
appendix. Relying on the word count of the computer program used to prepare this
document, the number of words, subject to count under the rules, is 11,717 words.
/s/ Robert J. Hazeltine-Shedd/
Robert J. Hazeltine-Shedd
- 46 -
APPENDIX
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Tab No. Description
1 Citation of Service on Appellant Father
2 Paternity Testing Order, February 13, 2014
3 Paternity Testing Order, October 7, 2014
4 Order Establishing Paternity, November 18, 2014
ATTACHMENT 1
(Citation of Service on Appellant Father)
c,uS£~o 1 4 00 4 6 6 J
NICOLLE CAPPS 182-3
NISELA ZAMORANO 182-3
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IN THE INTEREST OF IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF
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A H 11~-i-h HARRIS COlI NT\', TEXAS
CHILD C"f\S \ c\et~
O\SU\C \r , "_Q_ ,III'AL FAMILY/JlJVENILE DISTRICT
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CITATION
THE STATE OF TEXAS colll'\'i·
COllNTY OF HARRIS I-\i\.rr\&
~rul.P.IlW .
TO THE SHERIFF, CONSTAB~~.M«~ 0l1N'"11' ATTORNE VESTIGATORS, OR OTHER PERSON AUTHORIZED BY LAW:
T T,
YOll HAVE BEEN SUED. You may I!mploy an attorney. If you or your attorney do not file a writttn answtr with the District Clerk who issued this
citation by 10:00 am. on the Monday next following the expiration of 20 days after you were served this citation and pt:tition, a default judgment may be taken against
you.
Attached is a copy of the ORIGINAL PETITION FOR PROTECTION OF A CHILD FOR CONSERVATORSHIP, AND FOR TERMINATION IN
SUIT AFFECTING THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP AND APPLICATION FOR WRIT OF ATTACHMENT AS TO which was filed by Department
of Family and Protective Services, Petitioner, on the 30th day of January, 2014, in the above styled and numbered cause and coun. The instruments attached describe
the claim against you.
The Honorable Judge of the said Coun, upon presentation of the said Petition to the Judge, entered an Order and Fiat, as shown by a true copy of said Order
and Fiat attached hereto.
YOU ARE COMMANDED ~llty....wD ALL OF THE TERMS OF SAID ORDER AND FIAT until and pt:nding a hearing on the application
fOflemporary orders.
You ar r ed t ppt:ar in
' , I 0 III
.. .~ Judicial District Court of Harris County, Tl!xas, The Juvenill! Justice Centl!r, 1200 Congress, Houston,
Texas, on the. • at \ •• \S ,~m. for a hearing. The purpos.: of this hearing is to determin.: whl:th.:r Department of Family and Protective
Services should be thl! Temp ary Managing Cunservator of tht child the subject of this suit and whether other orders should be entered as requested in the attached
instrum.:nts.
This citation was issued un JAN 3 0 2014 ___' under my hand and se:al of said Coun, at the request of Department of Family and Protective:
Services, 2525 Murworth. Ste. 300, Huuston. Texas 77054.
For Official Governmental Use Only - Do Not Disseminate to the Public: 60164324 - Page 1 of 2
201400466J
=-____=-___-
Cause No. _-_.._-_ _
In the Interest of A H
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For Official Governmental Use Only - Do Not Disseminate to the Public: 60164324 - Page 2 of 2
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I, Chris Daniel, District Clerk of Harris
County, Texas certify that this is a true and
correct copy of the original record filed and or
recorded in my office, electronically or hard
copy, as it appears on this date.
Witness my official hand and seal of office
this April 23, 2015
Certified Document Number: 60164324 Total Pages: 2
Chris Daniel, DISTRICT CLERK
HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS
In accordance with Texas Government Code 406.013 electronically transmitted authenticated
documents are valid. If there is a question regarding the validity of this document and or seal
please e-mail support@hcdistrictclerk.com
ATTACHMENT 2
(Paternity Testing Order, February 13, 2014)
NICOLLE CAPPS I 182-3 7r./" (XY'L./ -..,- f'.A r -.v
NISELA ZAMORANO I 182-3 (JJ 1./- Y(.V'...!,IV , "r-O \I' ~
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IN THE INTEREST o~R\\.)
}LV Chris Daniel
District Clerk
IN THE DISTRICT COURT 0
A H FEB 13 2014 HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS
Tlmo:__~--.~~~~~___
Harris County, Texas
CHILD By______~~~------
313 TH JUDICIAL JUVENILE
Deputy
ORDER FOR DRUG I ALCOHOL I D.N.A. SCREENING
The following person(s) are ORDERED to:
~ Report in person IMMEDIA TEL Y to: National Screening Center I m
407 Fannin Street, 1 Floor, Houston, Texas 77002 (713) 226-7847; ~r L r'
51
[X] Remain in the Courtroom; + tr Y10 (a
[ ] Allow National Screening Center to collect sample at • ,
Each individual is ORDERED to remain in their respective location until samples have been drawn. h individual named herein is ORDERED to provide
such personal sample(s) as may be necessary for National Screening Center to perform the ORDERED Drug I Alcohol I D.N.A. screening as follows:
NAME: DOB TDUID/SS# TEST
I. T N
Relationship
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