B.S.T., In Interest of

• Decision Date: 08 October 1998
• Docket Number: No. 14-98-00319-CV,14-98-00319-CV
• Citation: 977 S.W.2d 481
• Parties: In the Interest of B.S.T., B.M.T., M.L.T., and M.T., Minor Children. (14th Dist.)
• Court: Texas Court of Appeals

Page 481

977 S.W.2d 481

In the Interest of B.S.T., B.M.T., M.L.T., and M.T., Minor Children.

No. 14-98-00319-CV.

Court of Appeals of Texas,

Houston (14th Dist.).

Oct. 8, 1998.

Elizabeth S. Petersen, Houston, for appellant.

Bruce S. Powers, Johnnie Beth Page, Houston, for appellee.

Before MURPHY, C.J., and LEE and DRAUGHN, JJ. ^*

OPINION

LEE, Justice.

Delton Michael Green appeals from an order terminating his parental rights. In two points, appellant challenges the legal and factual sufficiency of the evidence supporting termination. We affirm as modified.

In August 1990, the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services (TDPRS) investigated the Thornton family and found five children in the home, the eldest of which was 7 years old. ¹ There was no food or electricity in the home, the children were dirty and lacked proper clothing, none were attending school, and none of the children were toilet-trained. The children were removed from the home and placed in foster care.

In 1997, TDPRS sought to terminate the parental rights of the mother, Alma Thornton, the father of the oldest child, and appellant, the father of the four other children. Trial was to the bench. TDPRS offered the testimony of three witnesses, including two caseworkers and a Child Advocate CASA supervisor. In conjunction with this testimony, appellant offered into evidence volumes of exhibits, consisting of the TDPRS records spanning the seven years the children were in TDPRS custody. There were no objections to admission of this case file. Alma Thornton did not attend trial. ² The evidence shows appellant was not named as the father of the children on their birth certificates and, although he never denied paternity, he did not sign an affidavit of paternity. The evidence revealed that, at the time the children were taken into custody, appellant was in prison for grand theft. He was released in April 1993. By 1996, appellant was again incarcerated, this time for the crime of injury to a child. ³ From 1993 to 1996, appellant provided no financial support to the children in foster care and visited them twice, in April and May of 1993. The exhibits show that Alma Thornton complained to caseworkers that, while appellant was out of prison, he was physically threatening her and was making a living by "selling light bulbs and stealing." At the termination trial, appellant was called to the witness stand, but refused to answer any questions.

The trial court entered an order terminating the parental rights of the mother, appellant, and the father of the oldest child. The termination was expressly based on TEX. FAM.CODE ANN. § 161.001(1)(D)-(E) & (N) (Vernon Supp.1998).

Standard of Review

When presented with a challenge to the legal sufficiency of the evidence, the reviewing court must consider all of the evidence in a light most favorable to the party in whose favor the verdict was rendered indulging every reasonable inference in that party's favor. Associated Indem. Corp. v. Cat Contracting, Inc., 964 S.W.2d 276, 285-86 (Tex.1998). If there is any evidence of probative force to support the finding, the finding must be upheld. ACS Investors, Inc. v. McLaughlin, 943 S.W.2d 426, 430 (Tex.1997). In reviewing a challenge to the factual sufficiency of the evidence, the court must first consider, weigh, and examine all of the evidence supporting and contrary to the finding. Plas-Tex., Inc. v. U.S. Steel Corp., 772 S.W.2d 442, 445 (Tex.1989). Having done so, the court should set aside the verdict only if the evidence which supports the finding is so weak as to be clearly wrong and manifestly unjust. Cain v. Bain, 709 S.W.2d 175, 176 (Tex.1986).

Termination of Parental Rights

The natural right existing between parents and their children is of constitutional dimensions. See In the Interest of J.W.T., 872 S.W.2d 189, 194-95 (Tex.1994). Termination of the parent-child relationship is final and irrevocable and divests for all time the parent and child of all legal rights, privileges, duties, and powers with respect to each other except for the child's right to inherit. See Holick v. Smith, 685 S.W.2d 18, 20 (Tex.1985).

In proceedings to terminate the parent-child relationship brought under section 161.001 of the Family Code, the petitioner must establish one or more acts or omissions enumerated under subsection (1) of the statute and must additionally prove that termination of the relationship is in the best interest of the child. TEX. FAM.CODE ANN. § 161.001(1)-(2) (Vernon Supp.1998). Both elements must be established, and proof of one element does not relieve the petitioner of the burden of proving the other. See Holley v. Adams, 544 S.W.2d 367, 370 (Tex.1976). Because termination of parental rights is such a drastic remedy and is of such weight and gravity, due process requires the petitioner to justify termination by "clear and convincing evidence." In the Interest of G.M., 596 S.W.2d 846, 847 (Tex.1980). ⁴

Analysis

In the present case, TDPRS sought to terminate the parent-child relationship under sections 161.001-161.003. The trial court ordered termination under section 161.001(1)(D), (E), and (N). These subsections provide for termination if the court finds the parent has:

(D) knowingly placed or knowingly allowed the child to remain in conditions or surroundings which endanger the physical or emotional well-being of the child;

(E) engaged in conduct or knowingly placed the child with persons who engaged in conduct which endangers the physical or emotional well-being of the child;

....

(N) constructively abandoned the child who has been in the permanent or temporary managing conservatorship of the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services or an authorized agency for not less than six months, and:

(i) the department or authorized agency has made reasonable efforts to return the child to the parent;

(ii) the parent has not regularly visited or maintained significant contact with the child; and

(iii) the parent has demonstrated an inability to provide the child with a safe environment.

TEX. FAM.CODE ANN. § 161.001(1)(D)-(E) & (N) (Vernon Supp.1998). The Family Code additionally requires that termination be in the best interest of the child. Id. at § 161.001(2).

Subsections (D) and (E) differ in one respect: the source of the physical or emotional endangerment to the child. See In the Interest of S.H.A., 728 S.W.2d 73, 83-84 (Tex.App.--Dallas 1987, writ ref'd n.r.e.). Under subsection (D), the environment, as opposed to the parent's conduct, must be the source of endangerment to the child. S.H.A., 728 S.W.2d at 84. Under subsection (E), the cause of the danger to the child must be the parent's conduct alone, including the parent's actions or omissions or failures to act. Id. at 83-84. Both subsections require knowledge on the part of the parent. TEX. FAM.CODE ANN. § 161.001(1)(D)-(E) (Vernon Supp.1998). Under either subsection, the termination must also be in the child's best interest. TEX. FAM.CODE ANN. § 161.001(2) (Vernon Supp.1998). Factors to be considered in making the determination whether termination is in the child's best interest include: the desires of the child, the emotional and physical needs of the child now and in the future, the emotional and physical danger to the child now and in the future, parenting abilities, acts or omissions indicating the existing parent-child relationship is not a proper one, and any excuse for the acts or omissions. See Holley, 544 S.W.2d at 371-72.

When appellant was out of prison, he made two efforts to see his children in early 1993 and then made no efforts during the remaining years he was out of prison. Appellant made no effort to provide financial support for his children while he was out of prison. The evidence also does not show appellant provided financial support before the children were placed in foster care. The record shows appellant engaged in repeated criminal activity resulting in his incarceration, during which time he was unable to care for or support the children.

There is evidence of alleged abuse of the mother by appellant. This was not mentioned at trial, but can be found in one of the reports included as an exhibit. Appellant's present imprisonment for injury to a child is also evidence to consider. Although the injury was to a child who is not part of this case, this conviction reflects conduct that presents a danger to the children in this case. Furthermore, by committing another crime for which he could be sent to prison, during which time he could not care for or support his children, appellant engaged in conduct endangering the children. This would support termination under subsection (E).

To terminate parental rights under 161.001(1)(E), appellant contends TDPRS had to show that appellant's conduct was the source of danger to the children. Appellant argues that TDPRS presented no competent evidence indicating appellant's incarceration was a result of a course of conduct that endangered the children.

"Endanger" as that term is used in the statute, means more than a threat of metaphysical injury or the possible ill effects of a less-than-ideal family environment. Texas Dept. of Human Services v. Boyd, 727 S.W.2d 531, 533 (Tex.1987). It is not necessary that the conduct be directed at the child or that the child actually suffers injury. Id. Instead, "endanger" means to expose to loss or injury; to jeopardize. Id. Thus, there is no merit to appellant's contention TDPRS had to show appellant's conduct endangered the children.

Imprisonment of a parent, standing alone, does not constitute "engag[ing] in conduct ... which endangers the emotional or physical well-being of the child," TEX. FAM.CODE ANN. § 161.001(1)(E) (Vernon Supp.1998), but it certainly is a factor for consideration by the trial court on the issue of endangerment. Boyd, 727 S.W.2d at 533. If the evidence, including the imprisonment, shows a course of conduct which has the effect of...