In The
Court of Appeals
Seventh District of Texas at Amarillo
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No. 07-20-00276-CV
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IN THE INTEREST OF E.R., P.R., JR., S.R., AND S.R., CHILDREN
On Appeal from the 137th District Court
Lubbock County, Texas
Trial Court No. 2019-538,086; Honorable Kelly Tesch, Presiding
February 2, 2021
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Before PIRTLE, PARKER, and DOSS, JJ.
Appellant, P.R., appeals from the trial court’s order terminating his parental rights
to his four children, E.R., P.R., Jr., S.R., and S.R. 1 In pursuit of his appeal, P.R. presents
five issues challenging the trial court’s order. By his first issue, he maintains the evidence
is legally insufficient to show he knowingly placed or knowingly allowed his children to
remain in conditions or surroundings which endangered their physical or emotion well-
To protect the privacy of the parties involved, we refer to them by their initials. See TEX. FAM.
1
CODE ANN. § 109.002(d) (West Supp. 2020). See also TEX. R. APP. P. 9.8(b).
being. By issue two, he contends he did not engage in conduct or knowingly place his
children with persons who engaged in conduct which endangered their physical or
emotional well-being. By his third issue, he challenges the trial court’s finding that he
constructively abandoned his children or demonstrated an inability to provide them with
a safe environment. By his fourth issue, he contests the evidence supporting a finding
that he failed to comply with the provisions of a court order that specifically established
the actions necessary for him to obtain the return of his children, and by his fifth and final
issue, he contests the trial court’s finding that termination is in his children’s best
interests. 2 We affirm.
BACKGROUND
Appellee, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, received a
report of neglectful supervision of the four children in December 2019. According to the
record, the family had been residing with the children’s paternal grandfather. When the
grandfather passed away, the family was faced with eviction due to non-payment of rent.
Electricity to the home had been disconnected due to non-payment. In addition, the
refrigerator, stove, beds, and other furniture in the home had been sold and there was no
food in the house. The children’s mother also reported that there was no heat in the home
due to the lack of electricity.
In addition to the children’s living environment, the Department was also
concerned with drug use by both parents, specifically an allegation that the mother used
drugs in the children’s presence. After the children were picked up by the Department,
2 The mother’s parental rights were also terminated; however, she did not appeal.
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all four tested positive for cocaine. According to a Department investigator, the parents
confirmed the allegations of their living conditions but would not confirm reports of drug
use. P.R. offered to take a drug screen but postponed his drug screen due to scheduling
issues with his employment. Thereafter, he did not show for at least four scheduled drug
screens. At first, the children’s mother did not want to submit for drug screening.
Eventually she did and she tested positive for crack cocaine. She told the investigator
she had used crack cocaine to cope with the death of her father. She also admitted to
using marihuana.
The Department investigator interviewed two of the four children. They indicated
that P.R. used drugs but not around them. They also reported that because the home
did not have a stove or electricity, they ate mostly take-out food.
The parents provided the Department with several names as potential placements
for the children. After home studies were conducted, all potential placements were ruled
out as viable placements. After the Department removed the children from the parents,
the youngest child was placed in a foster home and the three older children were placed
at Boys Ranch.
At one point during the proceedings, P.R. was employed at a fast-food chain.
Despite this employment, the caseworker remained concerned that the parents were
unable to pay their bills. With the children in foster care, the parents began living in
motels. They both committed theft to help pay for their accommodations and both were
eventually arrested. The record does not provide details on the disposition of those
arrests.
3
The final hearing on the Department’s petition for termination was held virtually via
Zoom. Neither parent appeared for the hearing. The caseworker advised the trial court
that she had provided the parents with a link for the Zoom hearing. The trial court noted
that P.R. was represented by counsel and proceeded with the hearing. 3 The sole witness
for the Department was the assigned caseworker.
According to the caseworker, at the outset, the Department’s primary goal was
family reunification by addressing the parents’ drug use and establishing a safe and stable
home environment for the children. During her testimony, numerous exhibits were
admitted into evidence, including family service plans and an order for actions necessary
for the parents to obtain the return of their children. However, her testimony established
that the parents failed to follow most of the requirements of the plans and the order, and
eventually, the Department’s goal changed from family reunification to termination and
unrelated adoption.
Through her testimony, the caseworker confirmed that the Department’s concern
for the children was the parents’ drug use. P.R. used drugs and he was aware that the
children’s mother had used drugs in the children’s presence. According to the
caseworker, the family was facing eviction with no plan as to where to live or how to
provide a stable home for the children.
The caseworker testified that the youngest child was in the care of a foster parent
who was willing to adopt her. The three older children were at Boys Ranch. All the
3 P.R.’s counsel advised the trial court that he had not had any contact from his client since a
hearing held a few days earlier.
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children were doing well in their placements. The goal for the three older children was
also unrelated adoption; however, they could remain at Boys Ranch long-term if needed.
The Department’s goal included finding the children a stable, drug-free environment that
would meet all their basic needs. The caseworker answered affirmatively when asked if
the children’s best interests would be served by terminating the rights of the parents.
At the conclusion of the hearing, the trial court found that P.R.: (1) knowingly
placed or knowingly allowed his children to remain in conditions which endangered their
physical or emotional well-being; (2) engaged in conduct or knowingly placed the children
with persons who engaged in conduct which endangered their physical or emotional well-
being; (3) constructively abandoned the children who had been placed in the
conservatorship of the Department for not less than six months; and (4) failed to comply
with the provisions of a court order that specifically established the actions necessary to
obtain the return of his children. The trial court also found that termination of P.R.’s
parental rights was in his children’s best interests. See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. §
161.001(b)(1) (D), (E), (N), and (O), (b)(2) (West Supp. 2020). P.R. challenges only the
legal sufficiency of the trial court’s findings.
APPLICABLE LAW
The Texas Family Code permits a court to terminate the relationship between a
parent and a child if the Department establishes one or more acts or omissions
enumerated under section 161.001(b)(1) of the Code and that termination of that
relationship is in the best interest of the child. See § 161.001(b)(1), (2); Holley v. Adams,
544 S.W.2d 367, 370 (Tex. 1976). The burden of proof is by clear and convincing
evidence. § 161.206(a) (West Supp. 2020). “‘Clear and convincing evidence’ means the
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measure or degree of proof that will produce in the mind of the trier of fact a firm belief or
conviction as to the truth of the allegations sought to be established.” § 101.007 (West
2019).
STANDARD OF REVIEW
The natural right existing between parents and their children is of constitutional
magnitude. See Santosky v. Kramer, 455 U.S. 745, 758-59, 102 S. Ct. 1388, 71 L. Ed.
2d 599 (1982). See also Holick v. Smith, 685 S.W.2d 18, 20 (Tex. 1985). Consequently,
termination proceedings are strictly construed in favor of the parent. In re E.R., 385
S.W.3d 552, 563 (Tex. 2012). Parental rights, however, are not absolute, and it is
essential that the emotional and physical interests of a child are not sacrificed merely to
preserve those rights. In re C.H., 89 S.W.3d 17, 26 (Tex. 2002). The Due Process Clause
of the United States Constitution and section 161.001 of the Texas Family Code require
application of the heightened standard of clear and convincing evidence in cases
involving involuntary termination of parental rights. See In re E.N.C., 384 S.W.3d 796,
802 (Tex. 2012); In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d 256, 263 (Tex. 2002).
In a legal sufficiency challenge, we credit evidence that supports the verdict if
reasonable jurors could have done so and disregard contrary evidence unless reasonable
jurors could not have done so. In re K.M.L., 443 S.W.3d 101, 112-13 (Tex. 2014).
However, the reviewing court should not disregard undisputed facts that do not support
the verdict to determine whether there is clear and convincing evidence. Id. at 113. In
cases requiring clear and convincing evidence, even evidence that does more than raise
surmise and suspicion will not suffice unless that evidence is capable of producing a firm
belief or conviction that the allegation is true. Id. If, after conducting a legal sufficiency
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review, a court determines that no reasonable fact finder could form a firm belief or
conviction that the matter that must be proven is true, then the evidence is legally
insufficient. Id. (citing In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d at 266).
SECTION 161.001(b)(1)(D)
The parent-child relationship may be terminated under subsection (D) if the court
finds by clear and convincing evidence that a parent has knowingly placed or knowingly
allowed a child to remain in conditions or surroundings which endanger the child’s
physical or emotional well-being. Subsection (D) concerns the child’s living environment
rather than the conduct of the parent, although a parent’s conduct is certainly relevant to
the child’s environment. In re J.T.G., 121 S.W.3d 117, 125 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2003,
no pet.). The relevant time frame under subsection (D) is prior to a child’s removal. In re
O.R.F., 417 S.W.3d 24, 37 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2013, pet. denied). Additionally, a
parent’s continued drug use subjects a child to a life of uncertainty and instability which
endangers that child’s physical or emotional well-being. In re D.B., No. 07-20-00186-CV,
2020 Tex. App. LEXIS 9711, at *12-13 (Tex. App.—Amarillo Dec. 10, 2020, no pet.)
(mem. op.) (citing In re A.B., 125 S.W.3d 769, 777 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2003, pet.
denied)).
Appellant’s first issue challenges the trial court’s finding that he knowingly placed
or knowingly allowed the children to remain in conditions or surroundings which
endangered their physical or emotional well-being. Through the testimony of the
caseworker, the Department established that the children were living in a home where
the electricity had been terminated due to non-payment. The home was also without
adequate furnishings or heat. Additionally, after the children’s paternal grandfather
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passed away, the family was facing eviction due to non-payment of rent. The mother’s
continued use of drugs in the children’s presence, as well as the father’s continued drug
use, may be considered as relevant to the children’s living environment. Based on these
facts, we conclude the Department established that termination of P.R.’s parental rights
under subsection 161.001(b)(1)(D) is supported by clear and convincing evidence. Issue
one is overruled.
Ordinarily, only one statutory ground is required to support termination. See In re
S.F., 32 S.W.3d 318, 320 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2000, no pet.). However, in light of
In re N.G., 577 S.W.3d 230, 235-37 (Tex. 2019) (per curiam), due process necessitates
that we also review the trial court’s finding that termination was supported under section
161.001(b)(1)(E).
In re N.G. instructs appellate courts to review both subsections (D) and (E) when
raised on appeal because of the potential consequences to a parent’s rights in a future
proceeding concerning a different child. Id. There, the Supreme Court held that because
section 161.001(b)(1)(M) provides for termination of parental rights if there is clear and
convincing evidence that the parent has had his or her parental rights terminated with
respect to another child based on a finding under subsection (D) or (E), an appellate court
denies an appellant a “meaningful appeal and eliminates the parent’s only chance for
review of a finding that will be binding as to parental rights to other children” if that court
does not review termination based on either those subsections. Id. An appellate court is
required to provide details of its analysis under those subsections. In re L.G., 596 S.W.3d
778, 781 (Tex. 2020) (concluding the court of appeals erred in failing to detail its analysis
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of the challenged findings under subsections (D) and (E) after affirming termination on
another subsection) (citing In re Z.M.M., 577 S.W.3d 541, 543 (Tex. 2019)).
SECTION 161.001(b)(1)(E)
By issue two, P.R. challenges the finding that he engaged in conduct or knowingly
placed the children with persons who engaged in conduct which endangered their
physical or emotional well-being. Under subsection (E), the relevant inquiry is whether
there is sufficient evidence that the endangerment was the direct result of the parent’s
conduct, including acts, omissions, and failures to act. In re J.T.G., 121 S.W.3d at 125;
Doyle v. Tex. Dep’t of Protective & Regulatory Servs., 16 S.W.3d 390, 395 (Tex. App.—
El Paso 2000, pet. denied). Additionally, subsection (E) requires a conscious course of
conduct rather than a single act or omission. In re D.T., 34 S.W.3d 625, 634 (Tex. App.—
Fort Worth 2000, pet. denied).
Endanger means to expose to loss or injury; to jeopardize. In re M.C., 917 S.W.2d
268, 269 (Tex. 1996) (citing Texas Dep’t of Human Servs. v. Boyd, 727 S.W.2d 531, 533
(Tex. 1987)). It is more than a threat of metaphysical injury or the possible ill effects of a
less-than-ideal family environment. See In re M.C., 917 S.W.2d at 269. See also In re
T.N., 180 S.W.3d 376, 383 (Tex. App.—Amarillo 2005, no pet.).
Drug use and its effect on a parent’s life and ability to parent may establish an
endangering course of conduct. In re R.W., 120 S.W.3d 732, 738-39 (Tex. App.—Fort
Worth 2004, pet. denied). However, evidence of drug use on its own is not sufficient to
show endangerment unless it is causally connected to conduct endangering a child. In
re L.C.L., 599 S.W.3d 79, 84 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2020, pet. filed).
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P.R. admitted to using drugs and the evidence showed that he was aware that the
children’s mother used drugs in the children’s presence. Throughout the proceedings,
the parents remained a couple and resided together. Their drug use was a continuing
course of conduct. P.R. failed to show for at least four drug tests. See In re W.E.C., 110
S.W.3d 231, 239 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2003, no pet.) (noting that a fact finder may infer
from a parent’s repeated failure to show for drug screens that the parent is avoiding
testing due to drug use). See also In re J.O.A., 283 S.W.3d 336, 345 (Tex. 2009) (finding
that a parent’s drug use and its effect on his or her ability to parent may qualify as an
endangering course of conduct). The evidence showed that all four children tested
positive for crack cocaine—a fact that endangered their physical well-being. P.R. failed
to act to protect his children from the mother’s drug use in their presence. Issue two is
overruled.
Having found clear and convincing evidence to support termination under
subsections (D) and (E), as required by In re N.G., we need not address termination under
subsections (N) and (O). P.R.’s third and fourth issues are pretermitted.
BEST INTEREST FINDING
By his fifth issue, P.R. maintains the Department failed to satisfy its burden under
section 161.001(b)(2) to show that termination of his parental rights was in his children’s
best interests. See In re K.M.L., 443 S.W.3d at 116. Only if no reasonable fact finder
could have formed a firm belief or conviction that termination of his parental rights was in
the children’s best interest can we conclude the evidence is legally insufficient. Id. (citing
In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d at 266).
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There is a strong presumption that the best interest of a child will be served by
preserving the parent-child relationship. In re R.R., 209 S.W.3d 112, 116 (Tex. 2006).
Prompt and permanent placement of a child in a safe environment is also presumed to
be in that child’s best interest. See § 263.307(a) (West 2019). Section 263.307(b) of the
Family Code provides a non-exhaustive list of factors to consider in determining whether
the parent is willing and able to provide the child with a safe environment. One of those
factors is providing the child with a safe physical home environment. § 263.307(b)(12)(D).
Additionally, the Supreme Court has set out other factors to consider when
determining the best interest of a child. See Holley, 544 S.W.2d at 371-72. Those factors
include (1) the desires of the child; (2) the emotional and physical needs of the child now
and in the future; (3) the emotional and physical danger to the child now and in the future;
(4) the parental abilities of the individual seeking custody; (5) the programs available to
assist the individual to promote the best interest of the child; (6) the plans for the child by
the individual or by the agency seeking custody; (7) the stability of the home or proposed
placement; (8) the acts or omissions of the parent that may indicate that the existing
parent-child relationship is not a proper one; and (9) any excuse for the acts or omissions
of the parent. Id. The absence of evidence of one or more of these factors does not
preclude a fact finder from reasonably forming a strong conviction or belief that
termination is in the child’s best interest. In re C.H., 89 S.W.3d at 27.
Evidence that supports one or more statutory grounds for termination may also
constitute evidence illustrating that termination is in the child's best interest. See id. at
28. See also In re E.C.R., 402 S.W.3d 239, 249-50 (Tex. 2013). The best interest
analysis may consider circumstantial evidence, subjective factors, and the totality of the
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evidence as well as direct evidence. See In re N.R.T., 338 S.W.3d 667, 677 (Tex. App.—
Amarillo 2011, no pet.). Additionally, a child’s need for permanence through the
establishment of a “stable, permanent home” has been recognized as the paramount
consideration in determining best interest. See In re K.C., 219 S.W.3d 924, 931 (Tex.
App.—Dallas 2007, no pet.).
Although the evidence at the final hearing did not specifically address each Holley
factor, the evidence presented by the Department established the children were all doing
well in their placements. The foster placements were providing the children with stability
and a drug-free environment. All their basic needs were being met. The youngest child’s
foster parent desired to adopt her and the Department was hopeful the three older
children could also be adopted; however, in the interim they had a stable home at Boys
Ranch as long as needed.
The caseworker further testified that P.R. failed to show for visits with his children
on more than twenty occasions. Additionally, to her knowledge, P.R. did not provide any
letters or gifts to the children nor any financial support. She also offered testimony that
P.R. failed to comply with a substantial portion of his family service plan for reunification.
The caseworker and the attorney ad litem for the children both recommended that
termination of P.R.’s parental rights would be in the children’s best interests.
Based on the Department’s evidence, the trial court’s finding that termination of
P.R.’s parental rights to his four children is in their best interests is supported by clear
and convincing evidence. Issue five is overruled.
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CONCLUSION
The Associate Judge’s Report and Order terminating P.R.’s parental rights to E.R.,
P.R., Jr., S.R., and S.R. is affirmed.
Patrick A. Pirtle
Justice
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