Fourth Court of Appeals
San Antonio, Texas
May 14, 2021
No. 04-21-00159-CV
IN THE INTEREST OF D.D.V., A CHILD
From the 131st Judicial District Court, Bexar County, Texas
Trial Court No. 2020PA00206
Honorable Linda A. Rodriguez, Judge Presiding
ORDER
On April 19, 2021, appellant filed a notice of appeal stating her intent to appeal a final
decree of termination “rendered on April 5, 2021.” The clerk’s record was filed on May 10,
2021. Although the clerk’s record contains the judge’s notes, the clerk’s record did not contain
an order terminating appellant’s parental rights. See In re L.H., No. 04-13-00174-CV, 2013 WL
3804585, at *1 (Tex. App.—San Antonio July 17, 2013, no pet.) (mem. op.) (noting judge’s
notes do not constitute a final order). In response to this court’s inquiry, the trial court clerk
confirmed the trial court has not signed a final order.
“[A]n appeal may be prosecuted only from a final judgment.” Ne. Indep. Sch. Dist. v.
Aldridge, 400 S.W.2d 893, 895 (Tex. 1966). Because no final order has been entered in the
underlying case, we ORDER appellant to show cause in writing by May 24, 2021 why this
appeal should not be dismissed for lack of jurisdiction. If appellant fails to satisfactorily respond
within the time provided, the appeal will be dismissed. See TEX. R. APP. P. 42.3(c). If a
supplemental clerk’s record is required to establish this court’s jurisdiction, appellant must ask
the trial court clerk to prepare one and must notify the clerk of this court that such a request was
made. All deadlines in this matter are suspended until further order of the court.
_________________________________
Beth Watkins, Justice
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said
court on this 14th day of May, 2021.
___________________________________
MICHAEL A. CRUZ, Clerk of Court