Opinion issued June 20, 2019
In The
Court of Appeals For The
First District of Texas ———————————— NO. 01-19-00007-CV ——————————— IN THE INTEREST OF Z.M.L., A CHILD
On Appeal from the 314th District Court Harris County, Texas Trial Court Case No. 2015-07438J
MEMORANDUM OPINION
D.M.F. appeals the trial court’s judgment terminating his parental rights to
his seven-year-old daughter, Z.M.L. In two issues, D.M.F. contends there is legally
and factually insufficient evidence to support the predicate finding under Section
161.001(b)(1)(E) and the best-interest finding under Section 161.001(b)(2) of the
Family Code. We affirm. Background
A. Department seeks termination of parental rights to three half-siblings
In December 2015, Michelle,1 gave birth to a boy, Michael, who tested
positive for cocaine. The Department of Family and Protective Services was
alerted and began proceedings for conservatorship over Michael and his two half-
sisters, Serena (age six) and Zoey (age five). The Department’s petition named
Michelle as the mother of all three children; it identified a separate father for each
child. The petition stated that the three identified fathers “either are in prison or
their whereabouts are unknown.” The court granted the Department’s petition and
placed the children under the Department’s temporary conservatorship in January
2016. The Department pursued termination of all parents’ parental rights.
The man named as Zoey’s father proved not to be. It is unclear from this
record when the Department and trial court became aware that he was not Zoey’s
father. But, in November 2016, the trial court ordered DNA testing on Dante, who
was serving a six-year prison sentence out-of-state. The DNA testing established
1 All parties to this appeal and their family members will be referred to by pseudonyms as follows:
Initials Pseudonym Relationship to child who is subject of suit Z.M.L. Zoey Subject child D.M.F. Dante Biological father M.N.L. Michelle Biological mother S.K.L. Serena Half-sister M.R.M. Michael Half-brother L.M.F. Layla Paternal grandmother
2 that Dante is Zoey’s biological father, but it is unclear when the Department
received these test results.2
The Department moved forward with termination of all parents’ parental
rights without adding Dante to the termination suit. The petition, instead, sought to
terminate the parental rights of Zoey’s “unknown father.”
At some point, again, the timing is unclear from the record, Dante’s mother,
Layla, intervened to seek custody of Zoey, the only of Michelle’s children to
whom she was related. For the first two-or-so years, the Department arranged visits
between Layla and Zoey. The Department stopped all visitations when it
discovered that Layla had arrest warrants stemming from traffic violations. Layla
“took care of” the warrants, but the Department never permitted the visits to
resume. Layla continued with her efforts to obtain custody of Zoey. The
Department continued to pursue placement with a nonrelative, adoptive foster
parent.3
The parental rights of Michelle, the identified fathers of Serena and Michael,
and Zoey’s “unknown father” were terminated in March 2017. Because the
2 Trial testimony from Dante’s mother, Layla, indicated that the family always knew Dante to be Zoey’s father because Layla was significantly involved in Zoey’s life since birth. 3 The Department caseworker testified that the foster parent was initially presented as a relative of the children. The Department later determined that she is not a relative. This revelation did not alter the Department’s conservatorship or permanency goals. 3 Department never added Dante to the suit, his parental rights were not terminated
by that judgment.
B. Department seeks termination of Dante’s parental rights to Zoey
About eight months later, in November 2017, the Department petitioned to
terminate Dante’s parental rights to Zoey. It listed multiple bases for termination,
including Subsections (C) (abandonment), (D) (endangering conditions),
(E) (endangering conduct), (K) (voluntary relinquishment), (N) (constructive
abandonment), (O) (failure to comply with court order establishing actions
necessary for return of child), and (Q) (criminal conduct resulting in imprisonment
for two or more years).
Around the same time—while Dante was serving a six-year sentence in
federal prison—the Department initiated a Family Service Plan detailing tasks and
goals for Dante to demonstrate his ability to provide for the safety and well-being
of Zoey. The Plan required Dante, among other things, to avoid criminal activity,
complete parenting classes and a psycho-social evaluation, and maintain stable
housing and employment.
The record does not contain any additional pleadings or filings related to the
Department’s efforts to terminate Dante’s parental rights. In October 2018, the trial
court held the termination hearing.
4 C. Trial
The one-day trial to terminate Dante’s parental rights included four
witnesses and seven exhibits. The four witnesses were I. Darrington (Department
caseworker), B. Waddell (Child Advocates volunteer), Layla (Zoey’s paternal
grandmother, who was seeking custody of Zoey), and K. Douglas (foster parent,
who was seeking to adopt Serena, Zoey, and Michael). Trial began with the
Department explaining that it did not serve Dante in the earlier termination suit,
therefore, a second termination proceedings was required.
1. I. Darrington—Department caseworker
The Department caseworker, Darrington, testified that Zoey was seven years
old at the time of trial and living with a foster parent who intended to adopt Zoey,
Serena, and Michael. She stated that Dante was incarcerated in a Louisiana federal
prison for possession of a firearm following a conviction for a felony, with an
anticipated release date in 2021.
Darrington was asked about Dante’s “extensive criminal history.” Counsel
for the Department listed dates and names of offenses, and Darrington agreed they
were part of Dante’s criminal history. Darrington did not differentiate between
offenses that led to convictions and those that were dismissed. Nor did she testify
whether the offenses were for misdemeanors or felonies. She also did not explain
that some of the charges identified were multi-jurisdictional prosecutions for single
5 criminal acts. The State admitted into evidence various indictments and judgments
that provided additional information about the listed charges. To summarize, Dante
pleaded guilty to four misdemeanors (possession of marijuana, carrying a weapon,
resisting arrest, and criminal trespass) between 2010 and 2011, which would have
been while Michelle was pregnant with Zoey and during the first year of her life.
He pleaded guilty to two felonies (unauthorized use of a vehicle and evading
arrest) in 2012 and another felony (theft) in 2013. Those criminal acts and guilty
pleas led to jail sentences of between 10 days and 9 months each. Also in 2013,
Dante pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault of a family member/dating
relationship and felony theft. Then, between August 2013 and June 2014, Dante
was charged with two additional misdemeanors (possession of marijuana and
burglary of a motor vehicle) and three felonies (robbery with a deadly weapon,
possession of a firearm by a felon, and a separate possession of a firearm by a
felon). Those last five charges were all dismissed in favor of federal prosecution on
two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm. After pleading guilty to the
firearms charges, Dante was sentenced to six years in federal prison. Dante was
serving that sentence at the time of trial.
Darrington next discussed Layla’s involvement in the case. Darrington
agreed that Zoey had spent roughly “80% of the time” living with Layla instead of
her mom before the children’s removal by the Department. She also agreed that
6 Layla had been consistently involved in the conservatorship case, appeared at all
hearings, and steadfastly sought custody of Zoey. She stated that Layla
“absolutely” had been a good grandmother to Zoey and had always had “positive”
monthly visits with Zoey from 2015—when the Department became involved—
until early 2018. But, in February 2018, the Department learned that Layla had
arrest warrants stemming from a driving offense. The arrest warrants were for
driving with a revoked license, failure to identify, and, subsequently, failure to
appear. Darrington agreed that Layla “took care of” the warrants, which led to an
August 2018 court order requiring Layla to perform 64 hours of community
service.
Darrington testified that the Department denied Layla any visitation with
Zoey once it discovered the warrants. She confirmed the warrants were “the only
reason” visitations were stopped. Yet, the visits did not resume after Layla
successfully “took care of” the warrants.
Darrington conceded that Layla’s having warrants was not “a threat to the
health and safety” of Zoey. She further conceded there was nothing in Layla’s past
“that would prevent her from legally having custody of” Zoey. In fact, in support
of her efforts to obtain custody of Zoey, Layla had applied to be a foster parent.
After conducting a home study, a child-placement agency approved Layla to be a
foster parent. Nonetheless, according to Darrington, the Department decided not to
7 pursue placement with Layla because “it’s in the best interest for the children to
remain together,” which meant remaining with the foster placement.
Darrington’s testimony criticized Layla in one regard. She stated that
Layla’s visits with Zoey, during the first years of the conservatorship suit, “created
a division in the current caregiver’s home,” in that Zoey was “experiencing
behaviors and saying things to the other children that made her feel that she was a
little bit more inferior than the other children.” The Department concluded that the
household “division” and behavior problems were caused by Zoey’s visits with
Layla.
Darrington testified that Dante—who was in federal prison—had been
provided a Family Service Plan by the Department but had not completed any of
its requirements. According to Darrington, Dante never responded to her efforts to
communicate with him and never sent any letters or gifts to Zoey.
Darrington stated that Dante’s position was that his mother, Layla, should
have Zoey. But, according to Darrington, Zoey wanted to stay with her current
caregiver and be adopted along with her siblings.
In conclusion, Darrington testified that it was in Zoey’s best interest to be
adopted by her current caregiver and for Dante’s parental rights to be terminated.
She stated that the adoptive foster parent had been meeting Zoey’s needs and
providing for her for three years. Darrington reiterated the Department’s position
8 that “it’s important that we maintain the sibling relationship.” She testified that a
therapist had recommended the children stay together and had counseled that “an
adoption not including all of [the siblings] could have a detrimental effect on
[Zoey],” but she acknowledged the unnamed therapist would not be testifying at
trial. The Department did not offer the therapist’s notes, written recommendations,
or any other related material as evidence at trial.
2. B. Waddell—Child Advocates volunteer
The second witness was B. Waddell, who is a Child Advocates volunteer.
She testified that she never contacted Dante, but, “based on his charges and his
long history of his criminal record,” she believed “he would not be a good parent.”
Waddell elaborated on the perceived negative effects of Layla’s earlier visits
with Zoey. She stated that Zoey had “substantial behavior issues” around the time
of Layla’s visits and “basically regressed” after them. And Zoey’s solo visits with
Layla—without her siblings—were causing issues for the foster family.
Waddell also testified that she, in her role as a Child Advocates volunteer,
had had negative, “caustic” interactions with Layla, who she described as “irate”
and “upset” that she “was being neglected in all of this.” Child Advocates
supported termination of Dante’s parental rights and unrelated adoption of Zoey
and her two half-siblings by the current foster parent. It was Child Advocates’s
recommendation that Zoey not be separated from her siblings.
9 3. Layla—paternal grandmother
The third witness was Layla. She testified that she had been involved in
Zoey’s life since birth. Zoey would spend lengths of time living with Layla
between stays at Michelle’s home. Layla ensured that Zoey was safe and healthy
and that she went to doctor appointments.
After the Department became involved, Layla felt she was being treated like
“a suspect.” Visitations were difficult to schedule. Later, they were stopped
because of outstanding traffic warrants, which she resolved.
Layla was asked about the Department’s stated interest in keeping the
sibling group together. She testified that she was willing to ensure Zoey had a
continuing relationship with her half-siblings. She also noted that the sibling group
actually was not being kept together. Layla testified that Michelle had a fourth
child while the termination suit was pending, and that fourth child was being raised
by another family member in Dallas, away from Zoey and the other half-siblings.
Layla testified that she had been told the fourth child was elsewhere because the
foster parent, who was seeking to adopt Serena, Zoey, and Michael, “didn’t want to
start over.” Layla noted that she was asking for Zoey what the Department was
allowing for the fourth child: living with a biological relative apart from half-
siblings. Layla testified that she would be willing to ensure Zoey continued her
relationship will all four of her half-siblings.
10 Finally, Layla testified that Zoey “knows her father” and misses him. She
did not provide any context or elaborate on these statements.
On cross-examination, Layla was asked about the criminal history of her
three sons. She agreed that Dante and her youngest son had been incarcerated, but
she disputed the suggestion that their criminal histories “go to [her] parental
ability.”
4. Foster parent
The final witness was the foster parent who was seeking to adopt Zoey and
two of her half-siblings. She briefly testified that she wanted to adopt all three
children and wanted them to stay together. She was open to the possibility of Zoey
having a relationship with Layla “maybe in the future.” She asked the trial court to
terminate Dante’s parental rights so she could “move forward” with adopting
Serena, Zoey, and Michael.
D. Rendition of judgment
After the foster parent testified, the trial court rendered judgment terminating
Dante’s parental rights under Subsection (E) for endangering conduct and
approving Zoey’s placement with the foster parent. Several weeks later, the trial
court entered a final judgment terminating Dante’s parental rights to Zoey,
“dismissing” Layla’s intervention, and ordering that Layla “take nothing” from the
suit. Dante appealed. Layla did not.
11 Termination of Parental Rights
Dante challenges the sufficiency of the evidence supporting termination of
his parental rights.
A. Standard of review
A parent’s rights to the “companionship, care, custody, and management” of
his or her children are constitutional interests “far more precious than any property
right.” Santosky v. Kramer, 455 U.S. 745, 758–59 (1982); see In re M.S., 115
S.W.3d 534, 547 (Tex. 2003). A termination decree is final, irrevocable, and
permanently divests the parent of all legal rights, privileges, duties, and powers
with respect to the parent-child relationship, except for the child’s right to inherit.
Holick v. Smith, 685 S.W.2d 18, 20 (Tex. 1985). We strictly scrutinize termination
proceedings and strictly construe the involuntary termination statutes in favor of
the parent. Id. But “the rights of natural parents are not absolute,” and “the rights
of parenthood are accorded only to those fit to accept the accompanying
responsibilities.” In re A.V., 113 S.W.3d 355, 361 (Tex. 2003). Recognizing that
parents may forfeit their parental rights by their acts or omissions, the primary
focus of any termination suit is protection of the child’s best interest. Id.
Due to the severity and permanency of the termination of parental rights, the
evidence supporting termination must meet the threshold of clear and convincing
evidence. TEX. FAM. CODE § 161.001(b); In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d 256, 263 (Tex.
12 2002). “‘Clear and convincing evidence’ means the 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.” TEX. FAM. CODE § 101.007. This
is an intermediate standard that falls between “preponderance of the evidence”
used in ordinary civil proceedings and “reasonable doubt” used in criminal
proceedings. State v. Addington, 588 S.W.2d 569, 570 (Tex. 1979).
This heightened burden of proof mandates a heightened standard of review.
In re S.R., 452 S.W.3d 351, 358 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2014, pet.
denied). When the legal sufficiency of the evidence supporting termination is
challenged, the reviewing court looks at all the evidence in the light most favorable
to the termination finding to determine whether a reasonable trier of fact could
have formed a firm belief or conviction that the finding was true. In re J.O.A., 283
S.W.3d 336, 344 (Tex. 2009); In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d at 265–66. The court must
assume that the factfinder resolved disputed facts in favor of its finding if a
reasonable factfinder could do so. In re J.O.A., 283 S.W.3d at 344; In re J.F.C., 96
S.W.3d at 266. It should disregard all evidence that a reasonable factfinder could
have disbelieved or found to be incredible. In re J.O.A., 283 S.W.3d at 344; In re
J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d at 266. If, after conducting a legal-sufficiency review of the
record evidence, the court determines that no reasonable factfinder could have
formed a firm belief or conviction that the matter to be proved was true, the court
13 must conclude that the evidence on that matter is legally insufficient. In re J.O.A.,
283 S.W.3d at 344–45; In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d at 266.
Only when the factual sufficiency of the evidence is challenged does the
reviewing court review disputed or conflicting evidence. In re J.O.A., 283 S.W.3d
at 345; In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d at 266. “If, in light of the entire record, the disputed
evidence that a reasonable factfinder could not have credited in favor of the finding
is so significant that a factfinder could not reasonably have formed a firm belief or
conviction, then the evidence is factually insufficient.” In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d at
266. We give due deference to the factfinder’s findings, and we cannot substitute
our own judgment for that of the factfinder. In re H.R.M., 209 S.W.3d 105, 108
(Tex. 2006) (per curiam). The factfinder is the sole arbiter when assessing the
credibility and demeanor of witnesses. Id. at 109. We are not to “second-guess the
trial court’s resolution of a factual dispute by relying on evidence that is either
disputed, or that the court could easily have rejected as not credible.” In re L.M.I.,
119 S.W.3d 707, 712 (Tex. 2003).
B. Predicate finding—Subsection (E) endangering conduct
The trial court terminated Dante’s parental rights to Zoey under Subsection
(E) of the Family Code. Subsection (E) provides for termination of parental rights
if the parent has “engaged in conduct . . . which endangers the physical or
emotional well-being of the child.” TEX. FAM. CODE § 161.001(b)(1)(E). Within
14 the context of Subsection (E), endangerment encompasses “more than a threat of
metaphysical injury or the possible ill effects of a less-than-ideal family
environment.” Tex. Dep’t of Human Servs. v. Boyd, 727 S.W.2d 531, 533 (Tex.
1987). To “endanger” means to expose a child to loss or injury or to jeopardize a
child’s emotional or physical health. Id.; see In re M.C., 917 S.W.2d 268, 269
(Tex. 1996).
It is not necessary to establish that a parent intended to endanger a child to
support termination under Subsection (E). See In re M.C., 917 S.W.2d at 270. Nor
is it necessary to establish that the parent’s conduct was directed at the child or
caused actual harm; rather, it is sufficient if the parent’s conduct endangers the
child’s well-being. See Boyd, 727 S.W.2d at 533; Walker v. Tex. Dep’t of Fam. &
Protective Servs., 312 S.W.3d 608, 617 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2009, pet.
denied). Danger to a child’s well-being may be inferred from parental misconduct.
Boyd, 727 S.W.2d at 533; K.P., 498 S.W.3d at 171. “As a general rule, conduct
that subjects a child to a life of uncertainty and instability endangers the physical
and emotional well-being of a child.” In re R.W., 129 S.W.3d 732, 739 (Tex.
App.—Fort Worth 2004, pet. denied). Conduct may be endangering even when it
does not occur in the child’s presence. In re A.D.M., No. 01-16-00550-CV, 2016
WL 7368075, at *6 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Dec. 20, 2016, pet. denied)
(mem. op.). A parent’s past endangering conduct may support an inference that
15 past conduct may recur and further jeopardize the child’s present or future physical
or emotional well-being. See In re D.M., 58 S.W.3d 801, 812 (Tex. App.—Fort
Worth 2001, no pet.); see also In re A.D.M., 2016 WL 7368075, at *6.
The court’s endangerment analysis includes consideration of a parent’s
criminal record and how repeated criminal activity adds instability to the child’s
life with repeated parental incarceration and separation. See Boyd, 727 S.W.2d at
533–34 (stating that “imprisonment is certainly a factor to be considered by the
trial court on the issue of endangerment”). While “mere imprisonment will not,
standing alone, constitute engaging in conduct which endangers the emotional or
physical well-being of a child,” “if the evidence, including the imprisonment,
shows a course of conduct which has the effect of endangering the physical or
emotional well-being of the child, a finding [under Subsection] (E) is supportable.”
Id.; see In re V.V., 349 S.W.3d 548, 554–55 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2010,
pet. denied) (en banc) (affirming termination of father’s parental rights under
Subsection (E) for endangering conduct, noting his “extensive criminal history,”
repeated “criminal conduct leading to incarceration before and after the child’s
birth,” “life of crime” that included four felonies as well as “assault and other
crimes against the person,” “no effort to care for his daughter when not
incarcerated,” and “irresponsible choices that deprived this child of a parent”). The
conclusion that a parent’s criminal conduct endangers—rephrased in Boyd as
16 jeopardizes—the well-being of a child “can be inferred from parental misconduct”
itself. Boyd, 727 S.W.2d at 533 (in reversing judgment of court of appeals, stating
that Court “expressly disapprove[s]” of intermediate court’s “holding that danger
cannot be inferred from parental misconduct”).
Dante’s past criminal conduct includes no less than eight episodes of illegal
activity leading to criminal convictions.4 These include a 2013 misdemeanor
assault when Zoey was one and one-half years old and two separate 2014 felony
counts of possession of a firearm by a felon when Zoey was two years old. Cf. In
re V.V., 349 S.W.3d at 554–55 (concluding father endangered child through
criminal acts that included multiple felonies and crimes against people).
Each episode of illegal activity subjected Dante to incarceration if convicted,
which, in turn, jeopardized Dante’s ability to provide for Zoey, parent her, or meet
her physical and emotional needs. See In re U.P., 105 S.W.3d 222, 236 (Tex.
App.–Houston [14th Dist.] 2003, pet. denied) (in Subsection (E) analysis, stating
that father created “emotional vacuum” in child’s life, which endangered child’s
emotional well-being, by being absent due to incarceration while other parent was
unable to care and support child); In re A.A.M., 464 S.W.3d 421, 426–27 (Tex.
App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2015, no pet.) (in Subsection (E) analysis, holding that
4 This number does not include charges that were dismissed at the prosecutor’s discretion, including a 2007 felony capital-murder charge and a 2013 felony robbery-with-a-deadly-weapon charge. Nor does it include secondary charges and convictions that arose from the same days’ events. 17 father’s criminal offenses “significantly harm the parenting relationship” and “can
constitute endangerment even if the criminal conduct transpires outside the child’s
presence,” no matter that parent was noncustodial at time of criminal conduct); cf.
In re C.H., 89 S.W.3d 17, 28 (Tex. 2002) (stating that father’s “extensive criminal
history involving drugs and assault” and general absence from child’s life without
emotional or financial assistance to child “exhibited a pattern of conduct that is
inimical to the very idea of child-rearing”).
Of Dante’s convictions, one was for assault of a person with whom Dante
had a dating relationship. Specifically, he was charged with and pleaded guilty to
“punching the complainant with his fist” when Zoey was two years old. See D.N. v.
Tex. Dep’t of Family & Protective Servs., No. 03-15-00658-CV, 2016 WL
1407808, at *2 (Tex. App.—Austin Apr. 8, 2016, no pet.) (mem. op.) (“[D]omestic
violence may constitute endangerment, even if the violence is not directed at the
child.”).
A reasonable trier of fact could reach a firm belief or conviction that these
episodes of criminal conduct—which include assaultive acts, family violence, and
repeated acts of illegal possession of a firearm—subjected Dante to incarceration
and absence from Zoey’s life and endangered Zoey’s well-being. We conclude the
trial court did not err in determining that factually and legally sufficient evidence
18 supports termination of Dante’s parental rights under Subsection (E), so long as
doing so was in Zoey’s best interest.
C. Best-interest finding
Along with a predicate violation, the Department was required to establish
by clear and convincing evidence that termination was in Zoey’s best interest. TEX.
FAM. CODE § 161.001(b)(2). There is a strong presumption that a child’s best
interest will be served by preserving the parent-child relationship. In re J.F.C., 96
S.W.3d at 294; see TEX. FAM. CODE § 153.131(b). Because of the strong
presumption that maintaining the parent-child relationship is in the child’s best
interest and the due process implications of terminating a parent’s rights without
clear and convincing evidence that termination is in the child’s best interest, “the
best interest standard does not permit termination merely because a child might be
better off living elsewhere. Termination should not be used to merely reallocate
children to better and more prosperous parents.” In re W.C., 98 S.W.3d 753, 758
(Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2003, no pet.); see In re E.N.C., 384 S.W.3d 796, 809
(Tex. 2012).
A factfinder may consider several factors to determine the child’s best
interest, including the child’s desires, the child’s present and future physical and
emotional needs, the present and future emotional and physical danger to the child,
the parental abilities of the people seeking custody, programs available to assist
19 those people in promoting the child’s best interest, plans for the child by those
people or by the agency seeking custody, the acts or omissions of the parent that
may indicate that the existing parent-child relationship is not appropriate, and any
excuse for the acts or omissions of the parent. Holley v. Adams, 544 S.W.2d 367,
371–72 (Tex. 1976).
The absence of evidence on some factors does not preclude a factfinder 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 17, 27 (Tex. 2002). The absence of evidence
cannot be used as if it were clear and convincing evidence supporting a termination
finding. In re E.N.C., 384 S.W.3d at 808. In some cases, undisputed evidence of
only one factor may be sufficient to support a finding that termination is in the
child’s best interest; in other cases, there could be “more complex facts in which
paltry evidence relevant to each consideration mentioned in Holley would not
suffice” to support termination. In re C.H., 89 S.W.3d at 27. Our “best interest”
analysis is not limited to these Holley factors; other factors may be considered.
Holley, 544 S.W.2d at 372.
“A best-interest analysis may consider circumstantial evidence, subjective
factors, and the totality of the evidence as well as the direct evidence.” In re E.D.,
419 S.W.3d 615, 620 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2013, pet. denied). “A trier of fact
20 may measure a parent’s future conduct by his past conduct and determine whether
termination of parental rights is in the child’s best interest.” Id.
1. Child’s desires
Darrington testified that Zoey, who was seven years old at the time of trial,
wanted to remain with her foster parent and be adopted along with her two half-
siblings.
Layla testified that Zoey knows and misses Dante. Darrington testified
otherwise, though not on direct knowledge. Darrington was asked if Zoey had a
relationship with Dante before the Department’s involvement. She responded: “I
don’t know that she has. According to the mother, she does not.” Whether Dante
had a relationship with Zoey before the Department’s involvement, the evidence
indicates that he did not have any relationship, or even contact, with Zoey during
the two years the case was pending. Darrington testified that Dante did not send
any letters to Zoey from prison. There is no evidence that he tried to contact Zoey;
instead, his focus has been on supporting his mother’s efforts to obtain visitation
and custody of Zoey.
The trial court is the sole arbiter of credibility and was free to disbelieve
Layla’s assertion that there was an existing relationship between Dante and Zoey
before the Department’s involvement and to further disbelieve any inference that
21 Zoey might choose to maintain a parent-child relationship with Dante. See In re
H.R.M., 209 S.W.3d 105, 109 (Tex. 2006) (per curiam).
2. Parent’s acts or omissions that may indicate that the existing parent-child relationship is not a proper one and any excuse for those acts or omissions
Dante has had many criminal convictions. While several were non-violent
crimes that led to sentences of three months or less, three were felony offenses.
Because of the felony convictions, Dante is legally prohibited from possessing a
firearm. Yet, he was convicted of doing so twice in 2014, which subjected him to a
substantial prison sentence. These offenses were after his conviction for assaulting
(specifically, by punching) a woman he was dating. Dante provided no mitigation
or context for these offenses.
Parental behaviors like assaulting a person within one’s emotional circle and
choosing to possess deadly weapons while specifically prohibited from doing so
because of past felony convictions can place the parent-child relationship at risk, in
part because the behaviors subject the parent to incarceration and separation from
their child. See In re V.V., 349 S.W.3d at 555, 558. Moreover, the violent nature of
some of Dante’s offenses raises the possibility that children in his presence will be
subjected to violence even if the violent acts are not directed specifically at them.
See Walker, 312 S.W.3d at 619 (considering father’s past violence in best-interest
assessment and noting that evidence of endangering conduct under Subsection (E)
22 is also probative of best-interest analysis) (citing In re C.H., 89 S.W.3d at 28). The
insecurity and instability in Dante’s life, as a result of his criminal activity and
incarceration, is contrary to the notion that Dante has striven to provide a safe and
stable home for Zoey or to provide—directly, not by proxy—for her emotional
well-being. Dante’s past criminal actions are not conducive to a healthy parent-
child relationship.
The evidence, though sparse, indicates that Dante has had no contact with
Zoey for the past two-plus years. While his incarceration explains a lack of in-
person contact, it does not fully explain his failure to contact Zoey by email, letter,
or phone to further a relationship with her. Dante’s failure to seek any level of
contact with Zoey further indicates the absence of a proper parent-child
relationship.
3. Parenting abilities of people seeking custody
Often, this Holley factor leads to an analysis of the parenting abilities of the
parents who are appealing the termination of their parental rights and the foster
parents who are seeking to adopt the child. This case is different. Dante has
challenged the termination of his parental rights but has also argued that, if his
rights are terminated, custody of Zoey should be granted to his mother, Layla.
Layla intervened in this suit to seek custody of Zoey. She undertook all
necessary steps and was approved as a foster placement. Yet, the Department
23 would not place Zoey with her. Layla, though, continued to attend every hearing
and appeared at trial. Layla sought custody of Zoey. But the trial court dismissed
her intervention and entered judgment that she take nothing in the suit. Layla has
not appealed the trial court’s ruling.
In Dante’s appeal, he seeks to reurge custody being granted to Layla. This is
a decision, though, that the Department rejected months, if not years, before trial.
The Department determined that Zoey’s interests were best served by pursuing a
sibling placement with an unrelated, adoptive foster parent versus a placement with
a paternal grandmother who was unrelated to Zoey’s half-siblings. Whether the
Department properly evaluated those two options months before trial is not before
us. Whether the trial court erred in denying Layla the relief she requested in her
petition in intervention—which is not in the appellate record—also is not before us
because Layla did not appeal the trial court’s judgment denying her any relief. This
Court has no authority to reweigh the interim placement decisions of the
Department. Without Layla appealing, we also have no authority to review the
sufficiency of the evidence supporting the trial court’s ruling that Layla take
nothing from this suit.
For these reasons, we have concluded that our best-interest analysis cannot
include an evaluation of whether Zoey’s interests would be best served by
placement with her paternal grandmother, Layla. Instead, in the context of this
24 Holley factor, which evaluates the parenting abilities of those seeking custody, we
are constrained to evaluate the parenting abilities of Dante and the adoptive foster
parent.
Harrington testified that the foster parent has met Zoey’s needs and provided
for her for three years. The foster parent has facilitated Zoey’s growth and
development. Waddell testified that the foster parent is taking a strong interest in
all three children’s behavior and education. The children’s relationships with each
other have improved. They are doing “much better” in school. The foster parent
has “demonstrated a history of being an exceptional parent” with her biological
children. Waddell testified that the foster parent also has been an “exceptional
parent” to Zoey and, in her opinion, will continue to be in the future.
Harrington testified that Dante has not shown any parenting abilities. He has
not completed any services required through his Family Service Plan, which was
created to establish parental ability to provide for children’s ongoing safety and
well-being. He also has not responded to Harrington’s efforts to contact him to
discuss his “interests” in this case.
Dante, for his part, did not present any evidence of his own parenting history
or abilities. His position was more in support of his mother’s efforts to obtain
custody of Zoey.
25 4. Child’s present and future physical and emotional needs and danger
Harrington and Waddell testified that the Department’s position, consistent
with a past therapist’s recommendation, is that Zoey’s emotional needs will be best
met by maintaining the same home environment as Serena and Michael.
Harrington testified that the three siblings “depend on each other developmentally”
and it would not be in Zoey’s interest to separate them. Waddell agreed.
There is no evidence to indicate that Dante is able to provide for Zoey’s
future physical and emotional needs. The record indicates that he wished to rely on
Layla to provide for Zoey. As mentioned though, our review cannot be based on
that possibility, which the Department has rejected, the trial court has denied, and
Layla has not appealed.
5. Available programs for conservators to promote best interest of child
This factor was not a focus of trial testimony. There is no indication the
foster parent would rely on programs in her effort to promote Zoey’s best interest.
Dante did not avail himself of any services under his Department Family
Service Plan, but it is unclear on this record how much access to services he had
from prison. For that reason, we cannot say that the record supports an inference
one way or the other about the prospect of services being available to help Dante to
promote Zoey’s best interests in the future.
26 6. Parent’s and the Department’s plans for child
The Department’s plan for Zoey is that she be adopted by her foster parent,
along with Serena and Michael, and that she be raised in a loving, stable home with
these two half-siblings.
Dante’s plan for Zoey is that she be placed with his mother while he is
incarcerated and, if all parental rights are terminated, that Zoey be adopted by his
mother. But Dante’s plan is not a viable option for our consideration on appeal.
7. Conclusions on best interests
Considering the evidence in light of these Holley factors, we conclude that a
reasonable factfinder could have formed a firm belief or conviction that
termination of Dante’s parental rights was in Zoey’s best interest. We therefore
conclude that the evidence was sufficient to support the trial court’s best-interest
finding. We overrule Dante’s second issue.
Conclusion
Having concluded that sufficient evidence supports the trial court’s
judgment, we affirm.
Sarah Beth Landau Justice
Panel consists of Justices Lloyd, Landau, and Countiss.