In the Interest of B.S. and R.S., Children v. the State of Texas

Court of Appeals
Tenth Appellate District of Texas

10-24-00326-CV

In the Interest of B.S. and R.S., Children

On appeal from the
413th District Court of Johnson County, Texas
Judge David A. Barkley, presiding
Trial Court Cause No. DC-D202301001

CHIEF JUSTICE JOHNSON delivered the opinion of the Court.

MEMORANDUM OPINION

Following a bench trial, the parental rights of D.S. (Father) and T.S.

(Mother) were terminated. The trial court found by clear and convincing

evidence that both Father and Mother had violated Family Code subsections

161.001(b)(1)(D), (E), and (O) and that termination was in the children’s best

interest. See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 161.001(b). Father and Mother appealed.

We will affirm.

Mother’s Appeal

Mother raises six issues in her brief. In her first five issues, she contends

that the evidence was legally and factually insufficient to support the trial
court’s termination findings. In her sixth issue, she contends that the trial

court erred in denying her motion to extend the dismissal deadline of the case.

A. Sufficiency of the Evidence

The standards of review for legal and factual sufficiency of the evidence

in cases involving the termination of parental rights are well established and

will not be repeated here. See In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d 256, 264–68 (Tex. 2002)

(legal sufficiency); In re C.H., 89 S.W.3d 17, 25 (Tex. 2002) (factual sufficiency).

The trial court, as factfinder, is the sole judge of the witnesses’ credibility and

demeanor. In re J.O.A., 283 S.W.3d 336, 346 (Tex. 2009).

Mother argues in her brief that the standard of review should be changed

in parental termination cases because we “should find that the standard of

proof required for parental termination is ‘beyond a reasonable doubt.’”

However, as an intermediate appellate court, we must follow the precedents of

the Texas Supreme Court until the highest court overrules them or the Texas

Legislature supersedes them by statute. See Petco Animal Supplies, Inc. v.

Schuster, 144 S.W.3d 554, 565 (Tex. App.—Austin 2004, no pet.).

1. Predicate Violations

In her first, second, and third issues, Mother contends that the evidence

was legally and factually insufficient to support the trial court’s findings that

she violated Family Code subsections 161.001(b)(1)(D), (E), and (O), and in her

fourth issue, Mother contends that the evidence was legally and factually

In the Interest of B.S. and R.S., Children Page 2
insufficient to support the trial court’s finding that Family Code subsection

161.001(d) did not preclude termination of her parental rights under

subsection 161.001(b)(1)(O). We begin with Mother’s argument that the

evidence was legally and factually insufficient to support the trial court’s

finding that she violated subsection (E).

Termination under subsection (E) requires clear and convincing evidence

that the parent has “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.” TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 161.001(b)(1)(E). To

“endanger” means to expose the child to loss or injury, to jeopardize. Tex. Dep’t

of Human Servs. v. Boyd, 727 S.W.2d 531, 533 (Tex. 1987). The relevant

inquiry under subsection (E) is whether sufficient evidence exists that the

endangerment of the child’s well-being was the direct result of the parent’s

conduct, including acts, omissions, or failures to act. In re E.M., 494 S.W.3d

209, 222 (Tex. App.—Waco 2015, pet. denied).

Scienter is not required for a parent’s own acts to constitute

endangerment under subsection (E). See In re L.S., No. 10-22-00119-CV, 2022

WL 3655395, at *2 (Tex. App.—Waco Aug. 24, 2022, no pet.) (mem. op.). It is

also not necessary to show that the parent’s conduct was directed at the child

or that the child suffered actual injury. Boyd, 727 S.W.2d at 533. The specific

danger to the child’s well-being may be inferred from the parent’s misconduct

In the Interest of B.S. and R.S., Children Page 3
alone. Id. Furthermore, in an analysis under subsection (E), we may consider

conduct both before and after the child’s removal. In re S.R., 452 S.W.3d 351,

360 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2014, pet. denied).

The relevant evidence presented in this case was as follows: Alejandro

Torres, a Family-Based Safety Services (FBSS) caseworker for the Department

of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) in Johnson County, testified that he

first received this case at the beginning of October 2023 from Cook County

FBSS. Cook County had become involved with this family based on concerns

that the family was living in a home without working utilities and based on

concerns about Mother’s and Father’s mental health and history of substance

abuse. Just after Torres received the case, DFPS in Johnson County then

received a report that Father had slit his wrists. Law enforcement was

contacted and responded, but when they encountered Father, they did not

observe any suicidal behaviors. Father also reported that he was not suicidal,

and when Torres saw Father, Torres did not observe any cuts on him. DFPS

investigator Chanci Latson testified that she nevertheless began an

investigation at that time because in addition to the allegation about Father

slitting his wrists, there were concerns about the family’s home environment

and about there being severe sores on the children’s legs. B.S. was three years

old, and R.S. was one year old at the time.

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Latson testified that she first visited the family’s home on October 9,

2023. The family was living in a “run-down RV” belonging to Mother’s aunt.

Mother’s aunt explained to Latson that she had seizures and that the family

had come to help her with her medical issues. During Latson’s visit to the

home, she observed that the children had sores all over their legs and that the

sores appeared to be infected. Torres likewise testified that he was very

concerned about the children at that time because the infected sores were

black. Latson spoke with Mother about the sores, and Mother stated that the

sores had not been treated. Latson therefore told Mother that the children

needed to be taken to the emergency room. Mother initially responded that

the emergency room would not see the children because it was not a medical

emergency, but Latson insisted that the children’s condition was a medical

emergency and that they needed to be seen that day.

Latson testified that the next day, she checked to make sure that the

children had received medical treatment. Mother reported that she had not

taken the children to the emergency room right away because she had run out

of gas. Latson later found out, however, that Mother had been able to go to the

convenience store to buy cigarettes. Torres explained that he had left the home

to go get the family a car seat so that they could go to the emergency room but

that when he returned to the home with the car seat, Mother and Father had

left. Only Mother’s aunt remained at the home with the children. When Torres

In the Interest of B.S. and R.S., Children Page 5
asked Mother’s aunt where Mother and Father had gone, she replied that they

were out getting cigarettes at the gas station.

Torres testified that Mother and the children were nevertheless

eventually taken to the emergency room by a Human Services Technician, a

case aide that assists with tasks such as transport. Latson testified that when

the children were seen in the emergency room, it was determined that the sores

were caused by bug bites that had developed staph infections. The infections

required medical treatment, and once treated, the sores resolved. When asked

at trial if there was any delay in getting medication for the children, Torres

responded that there was not. Still, Latson testified that she had serious

concerns because Mother knew the children had infections yet made the

decision to go to the store to buy cigarettes instead of taking her children to

the hospital.

Latson testified that there were also concerns about the family’s home

environment. Latson learned that at the time of her October 2023 visit, six

people were living in the “run-down RV” belonging to Mother’s aunt. In

addition to Mother, Father, B.S., R.S., and Mother’s aunt, an eighteen-year-old

brother of the children, T.S., was living there as well. Latson explained that

Mother and Father have had a total of thirteen children, including T.S., B.S.,

and R.S., but that Mother and Father do not have possession of any of their

other children. T.S., as an eighteen-year-old, had chosen to come back to live

In the Interest of B.S. and R.S., Children Page 6
with Mother and Father. Mother’s and Father’s previous interactions with

DFPS date back to 2008. In many of those cases, Mother and Father were

uncooperative with DFPS. The cases also included physical neglect and

seemed to Latson to have a pattern that was repeating itself.

Latson continued by testifying that the RV was “[n]ot exactly” sufficient

space for six people. Latson explained that there was very little room in the

RV and that the sleeping conditions for the children were “[n]ot great.”

Mother’s aunt stayed in the bed in the back room of the RV. B.S. slept on a

pull-out couch with T.S., and R.S. slept in a playpen. Latson acknowledged at

trial that a playpen is an appropriate sleeping place for a child of R.S.’s age,

but Latson explained that the playpen had a hole in it, that it was dirty, and

that there were blankets all in it.

Latson further testified that there were concerns about the safety of the

home for the children. The RV was dirty and cluttered. Medications and

cleaning supplies had been left out such that the children could have gotten

into them. Torres also described multiple holes in the ceiling of the home and

a hole in the floor that was covered with plywood. Similarly, Latson described

a large hole in the roof of the RV. Mother’s aunt initially told Latson that the

preacher was coming to patch the hole in the roof; therefore, DFPS gave

Mother and Father some time to have the repairs done, but when Latson

visited the RV again, the preacher had not repaired the RV’s roof. It had also

In the Interest of B.S. and R.S., Children Page 7
been raining quite a bit when Latson visited the RV again, and the family had

placed a plastic tote under the hole in the roof to catch the rainwater. Torres

described the water in the tote as being over a foot high, and Latson described

the water as looking rusty and dirty. Latson also testified that the situation

posed a drowning threat because of B.S.’s and R.S.’s ages. Specifically, Latson

explained that because there was a hole in the playpen where R.S. slept, R.S.

could potentially get out of the playpen and get into the tote during the middle

of the night. Latson confirmed that R.S. was “getting around” and crawling at

that time, and Torres stated that Mother had told him that R.S. had tried to

get into the water.

Latson testified that she ultimately requested that B.S. and R.S. be

removed from Mother’s and Father’s care and be placed in the temporary

managing conservatorship of DFPS after she asked the parents to take a drug

test. Father initially refused to take a drug test. Mother agreed to take a drug

test and tested positive for methamphetamines and amphetamines. Mother

then admitted to Latson that she had used methamphetamines after an

altercation between her and Father. Mother also told Torres that Mother’s

aunt was under the influence of methamphetamines.

Latson testified that soon after the children’s removal, Father then

participated in drug testing as well. Father’s urinalysis results were negative,

but his hair-follicle test results were positive for methamphetamines and

In the Interest of B.S. and R.S., Children Page 8
marijuana. Erin Khan, the primary caseworker after the adversary hearing,

testified that the children were therefore ordered at the adversary hearing to

each be given a hair-follicle drug test. The drug tests were performed in

November 2023, a couple of weeks after the children were removed from

Mother’s and Father’s care. R.S. tested positive for methamphetamines at that

time.

Khan further testified that when she first became the primary

caseworker, she met with the family to develop a service plan for Mother and

Father. Mother and Father cooperated with her in making the service plans,

and after Mother’s service plan was developed, Mother did begin working on

completing her services. Mother began attending intimate partner violence

classes and anger management. Mother completed her psychological

evaluation, attended her mental health assessment, and started substance

abuse counseling. After initially testing positive on her hair-follicle drug test

in November 2023, Mother tested negative on all further drug tests. Moreover,

Mother told Khan that she was employed “doing like handyman jobs,” and

Mother was twice able to provide proof of income from her employment.

Khan also testified, however, that after Mother attended her mental

health assessment, Mother was referred for certain services but was not

consistent with following up with those services. Similarly, Mother started

substance abuse counseling but was twice discharged after missing several

In the Interest of B.S. and R.S., Children Page 9
classes. Additionally, Mother moved from the RV to a home where she was

living with her boss, but according to Khan, Mother’s boss’s home was not an

acceptable place for Mother to live. Khan described the home as having no

ceiling. Kahn stated, “They were sort of trying to replace the ceiling.” Khan

also described the home as having a very strong odor and having so many items

outside that it looked like a hoarder’s house.

Kahn then testified that at the end of March or beginning of April 2024,

Mother started a new job. But in April 2024, Mother’s boss contacted Kahn

and told her that Mother no longer lived in the home with him and was instead

living with Father in a tent outside of the home and using water and electricity

from the home. Mother was then incarcerated in April 2024 after working at

her new job for only about three weeks, and she remained incarcerated at the

time of trial in October 2024. Mother told Khan that while she was

incarcerated, she was working on some parenting classes and substance abuse

classes, but the last visit that Mother had with B.S. and R.S. was on April 10,

2024.

A parent’s drug use may support termination under subsection (E). See

J.O.A., 283 S.W.3d at 345; see also In re R.R.A., 687 S.W.3d 269, 278 (Tex.

2024). Additionally, while mere imprisonment, standing alone, will not

constitute engaging in conduct that endangers the emotional or physical well-

being of a child, it is an appropriate factor to weigh when considering

In the Interest of B.S. and R.S., Children Page 10
endangerment. In re J.F.-G., 627 S.W.3d 304, 312–13 (Tex. 2021).

Furthermore, many factors can support an endangerment finding, including a

parent’s failure to complete a court-ordered service plan, missed visits with the

child, and conduct that generally subjects a child to a life of instability and

uncertainty. In re A.R.M., 593 S.W.3d 358, 371–72 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2018,

pet. denied) (mem. op.).

Here, the evidence showed that when DFPS became involved with this

family, B.S. and R.S. had severe, visible sores on their legs that Mother had

yet to treat. Additionally, before the children’s removal, Mother tested positive

for methamphetamines and amphetamines and admitted that her aunt, with

whom Mother and the children were living at the time, was also under the

influence of methamphetamines. Mother further failed to complete her service

plan. Notably, Mother was twice discharged from substance abuse counseling

after missing several classes. Finally, Mother became incarcerated in April

2024 and remained incarcerated at the time of trial in October 2024.

Considering the foregoing, we conclude that the evidence was legally and

factually sufficient to establish that Mother engaged in conduct that

endangered the physical or emotional well-being of the children. See TEX. FAM.

CODE ANN. § 161.001(b)(1)(E). Moreover, having concluded that the evidence

was legally and factually sufficient to support the trial court’s finding that

Mother violated subsection (E), we need not address Mother’s arguments that

In the Interest of B.S. and R.S., Children Page 11
the evidence was legally and factually insufficient to support the trial court’s

findings that she violated subsections (D) and (O) and that subsection

161.001(d) did not preclude termination of her parental rights under

subsection (O). See In re N.G., 577 S.W.3d 230, 232–33, 237 (Tex. 2019) (per

curiam). We overrule Mother’s first, second, third, and fourth issues.

2. Best Interest of the Children

In her fifth issue, Mother contends that the evidence was legally and

factually insufficient to support the trial court’s finding that termination was

in the children’s best interest.

In determining the best interest of a child, several factors have been

consistently considered, which were set out in the Texas Supreme Court’s

opinion of Holley v. Adams, 544 S.W.2d 367, 371–72 (Tex. 1976). This list is

not exhaustive but simply identifies factors that have been or could be

pertinent in the best-interest determination. Id. at 372. There is no

requirement that all these factors be proven as a condition precedent to

parental termination. See C.H., 89 S.W.3d at 27. The absence of evidence

about some factors does not preclude a factfinder from reasonably forming a

strong conviction that termination is in the children’s best interest. Id. In fact,

while no one factor is controlling, the analysis of a single factor may be

adequate in a particular situation to support a finding that termination is in

In the Interest of B.S. and R.S., Children Page 12
the children’s best interest. In re J.M.T., 519 S.W.3d 258, 268 (Tex. App.—

Houston [1st Dist.] 2017, pet. denied).

The Holley factors focus on the best interest of the children, not the best

interest of the parent. Dupree v. Tex. Dep’t of Protective & Regul. Servs., 907

S.W.2d 81, 86 (Tex. App.—Dallas 1995, no writ). And evidence relating to the

predicate grounds under subsection 161.001(b)(1) may be relevant to

determining the best interest of the children. See C.H., 89 S.W.3d at 28.

Here, Kahn testified that she believes that Mother loves her children and

would like her children returned to her possession. The evidence further

showed that Mother worked on completing her services, including taking some

parenting classes and substance abuse classes. Additionally, after initially

testing positive on her hair-follicle drug test in November 2023, Mother tested

negative on all further drug tests.

On the other hand, evidence of past misconduct or neglect can be used to

measure a parent’s future conduct. See Williams v. Williams, 150 S.W.3d 436,

451 (Tex. App.—Austin 2004, pet. denied); Ray v. Burns, 832 S.W.2d 431, 435

(Tex. App.—Waco 1992, no writ) (“Past is often prologue.”); see also In re V.A.,

No. 13-06-00237-CV, 2007 WL 293023, at *5–6 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi–

Edinburg Feb. 1, 2007, no pet.) (mem. op.) (considering parent’s past history of

unstable housing, unstable employment, unstable relationships, and drug

usage). And we have already concluded above that the evidence was legally

In the Interest of B.S. and R.S., Children Page 13
and factually sufficient to establish that Mother engaged in conduct that

endangered the physical or emotional well-being of the children. Furthermore,

the evidence showed that Mother was living in a tent when she was arrested

in April 2024. Mother was then incarcerated from that time until the time of

trial in October 2024 and remained incarcerated at the time of trial. Mother’s

last visit with B.S. and R.S. was therefore on April 10, 2024, and Kahn

explained that she would not be able to place the children with Mother at the

time of trial because there was nowhere for Mother to take the children.

Alternatively, Kahn testified that B.S. and R.S. were in a foster

placement together in Johnson County at the time of trial and were doing

“exceptionally well.” B.S. and R.S. were only four and two years old,

respectively, at the time of trial—too young to express their desires. Kahn

explained that when B.S. was first removed from Mother’s and Father’s care,

he was unable to communicate or express any of his needs; however, because

of the foster parents and their diligence with B.S.’s appointments, B.S. was in

a “really great place” by the time of trial where he only required behavior

therapy and some speech therapy. There were initial concerns that B.S. may

have a form of autism, and the pediatrician recommended that they wait,

continue services for B.S., and then retest him. But because B.S. had excelled

and developed so much over the past year while in the care of the foster

parents, there was no need to retest B.S. B.S. was still delayed in his speech,

In the Interest of B.S. and R.S., Children Page 14
which they were continuing to work on, but he was otherwise developmentally

on target for a four-year-old. Likewise, R.S. was “pretty far behind”

developmentally when the children were first removed from Mother’s and

Father’s care. R.S. had bowlegs and had to have physical therapy for several

months. However, at the time of trial, R.S. had graduated from physical

therapy and was only required to wear braces on her ankles. R.S. was also

potty-training and able to express what she needs. She was developmentally

on target for her age. Thus, if Mother’s and Father’s parental rights were

terminated, the plan was to move forward with the current placement to

achieve adoption.

There is a strong presumption that it is in the child’s best interest to

preserve the parent-child relationship. In re L.M., 104 S.W.3d 642, 647 (Tex.

App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2003, no pet.). However, considering all the evidence

here in the light most favorable to the trial court’s finding and considering the

evidence as a whole, we hold that a reasonable factfinder could have formed a

firm belief or conviction that termination of Mother’s parental rights was in

the children’s best interest. Accordingly, we overrule Mother’s fifth issue.

B. Motion to Extend

In her sixth issue, Mother contends that the trial court erred in denying

her motion to extend the dismissal deadline of the case. We review a trial

court’s decision to deny an extension of the dismissal date under an abuse-of-

In the Interest of B.S. and R.S., Children Page 15
discretion standard. In re A.J.M., 375 S.W.3d 599, 604 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth

2012, pet. denied).

Section 263.401 of the Family Code provides in pertinent part:

(a) Unless the court has commenced the trial on the merits or
granted an extension under Subsection (b) or (b-1), on the
first Monday after the first anniversary of the date the court
rendered a temporary order appointing the department as
temporary managing conservator, the court’s jurisdiction
over the suit affecting the parent-child relationship filed by
the department that requests termination of the parent-
child relationship or requests that the department be named
conservator of the child is terminated and the suit is
automatically dismissed without a court order. . . .

(b) Unless the court has commenced the trial on the merits, the
court may not retain the suit on the court’s docket after the
time described by Subsection (a) unless the court finds that
extraordinary circumstances necessitate the child remaining
in the temporary managing conservatorship of the
department and that continuing the appointment of the
department as temporary managing conservator is in the
best interest of the child. If the court makes those findings,
the court may retain the suit on the court’s docket for a
period not to exceed 180 days after the time described by
Subsection (a).

....

(b-2) When considering under Subsection (b) whether to find that
extraordinary circumstances necessitate the child remaining
in the temporary managing conservatorship of the
department for a case in which the court orders a parent to
complete a substance abuse treatment program, the court
shall consider whether the parent made a good faith effort to
successfully complete the program.

In the Interest of B.S. and R.S., Children Page 16
(b-3) A court shall find under Subsection (b) that extraordinary
circumstances necessitate the child remaining in the
temporary managing conservatorship of the department if:

(1) a parent of a child has made a good faith effort to
successfully complete the service plan but needs
additional time; and

(2) on completion of the service plan the court intends to
order the child returned to the parent.

TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. §263.401.

Mother contends that the trial court erred in finding that no

extraordinary circumstances existed to necessitate that B.S. and R.S. remain

in the temporary managing conservatorship of DFPS. Mother argues that the

trial court should have found extraordinary circumstances due to her

“incarceration and her great efforts to take every class offered during her

incarceration.” But “[a] parent’s [confinement or] incarceration is generally

considered to be the parent’s fault and not an extraordinary circumstance.” In

re M.S., 602 S.W.3d 676, 680 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2020, no pet.) (quoting In

re A.S., No. 12-16-00104-CV, 2016 WL 5827941, at *2 (Tex. App.—Tyler Sept.

30, 2016, no pet.) (mem. op.)). “Further, when a parent, through her own

choices, fails to comply with a service plan and then requests an extension of

the statutory dismissal date in order to complete the plan, the trial court does

not abuse its discretion by denying the extension.” A.S., 2016 WL 5827941, at

*2. Here, a major reason why B.S. and R.S. came into DFPS’s care was

In the Interest of B.S. and R.S., Children Page 17
substance abuse. Yet even in the months before Mother was incarcerated, she

was failing to attend substance abuse treatment. Mother completed her

substance abuse assessment but was then discharged from two different

substance abuse treatment programs for not attending.

Therefore, we conclude that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in

finding that no extraordinary circumstances existed and in denying Mother’s

motion to extend the dismissal deadline. See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. §263.401.

Mother’s sixth issue is overruled.

Father’s Appeal

Father’s counsel has filed an Anders brief, asserting that he diligently

reviewed the record and that, in his opinion, the appeal is frivolous. See Anders

v. California, 386 U.S. 738, 87 S.Ct. 1396, 18 L.Ed.2d 493 (1967); In re E.L.Y.,

69 S.W.3d 838, 841 (Tex. App.—Waco 2002, order) (per curiam) (applying

Anders to termination appeal). Counsel’s brief meets the requirements of

Anders; it presents a professional evaluation demonstrating why there are no

arguable grounds to advance on appeal. See In re Schulman, 252 S.W.3d 403,

406 n.9 (Tex. Crim. App. 2008) (“In Texas, an Anders brief need not specifically

advance ‘arguable’ points of error if counsel finds none, but it must provide

record references to the facts and procedural history and set out pertinent legal

authorities.”); Stafford v. State, 813 S.W.2d 503, 510 n.3 (Tex. Crim. App.

1991). Father’s counsel has carefully discussed why, under controlling

In the Interest of B.S. and R.S., Children Page 18
authority, there is no reversible error in the trial court’s order of termination.

Counsel has informed us that he has examined the record and found no

arguable grounds to advance on appeal, served a copy of the Anders brief on

Father, informed Father of his right to review the appellate record and to file

a pro se response, provided Father with a form motion for pro se access to the

appellate record, and notified Father of his right to request counsel to file a

petition for review on his behalf with the Texas Supreme Court should we

declare his appeal frivolous. See Anders, 386 U.S. at 744, 87 S.Ct. at 1400;

Kelly v. State, 436 S.W.3d 313, 319–20 (Tex. Crim. App. 2014); Stafford, 813

S.W.2d at 510 n.3; High v. State, 573 S.W.2d 807, 813 (Tex. Crim. App. [Panel

Op.] 1978); see also Schulman, 252 S.W.3d at 408–09. By letter, we also

notified Father of his right to review the appellate record and to file a pro se

response and informed Father how to obtain a copy of the appellate record if

he wished to obtain it. Father has not filed a pro se response.

Upon receiving an Anders brief, we must conduct a full examination of

all the proceedings to determine whether the appeal is wholly frivolous.

Penson v. Ohio, 488 U.S. 75, 80, 109 S.Ct. 346, 349–50, 102 L.Ed.2d 300 (1988).

An appeal is “wholly frivolous” or “without merit” when it “lacks any basis in

law or fact.” McCoy v. Court of Appeals, 486 U.S. 429, 438 n.10, 108 S.Ct. 1895,

1902 n.10, 100 L.Ed.2d 440 (1988). We have reviewed the entire record and

counsel’s brief and have found nothing that would arguably support an

In the Interest of B.S. and R.S., Children Page 19
appeal. 1 See Bledsoe v. State, 178 S.W.3d 824, 827–28 (Tex. Crim. App. 2005)

(“Due to the nature of Anders briefs, by indicating in the opinion that it

considered the issues raised in the briefs and reviewed the record for reversible

error but found none, the court of appeals met the requirements of Texas Rule

of Appellate Procedure 47.1.”); Stafford, 813 S.W.2d at 509.

Conclusion

In light of the foregoing, we affirm the trial court’s order of termination. 2

1 Father’s counsel reviewed the sufficiency of the evidence supporting the trial court’s findings

under subsections 161.001(b)(1)(D) and (E) and determined that it would be frivolous to attack the
findings. We also conclude that the evidence is sufficient to establish that Father violated subsection
(E). See N.G., 577 S.W.3d at 237 (holding due process and due course of law requirements mandate
appellate court detail its analysis if appellate court affirms termination on either subsection (D) or
(E)). As stated above, many factors can support an endangerment finding, including a parent’s failure
to complete a court-ordered service plan, missed visits with the child, and conduct that generally
subjects a child to a life of instability and uncertainty. A.R.M., 593 S.W.3d at 371–72. A parent’s
failure to remain drug free while his rights to his child are in jeopardy may also support a finding of
endangering conduct under subsection (E). See Vasquez v. Tex. Dep’t of Protective & Regul. Servs., 190
S.W.3d 189, 196 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2005, pet. denied). Here, in addition to the evidence
detailed above, the evidence showed regarding Father specifically that after the children were removed
from Mother’s and Father’s care and the service plans were developed, Father set up several classes
required by the service plan, but he did not attend those classes or otherwise complete any of the
service plan. Father was also in and out of jail during the pendency of this case. On one occasion in
February 2024, after just being released from jail, Father participated in a visit with B.S. and R.S.
Father’s visits were then placed on hold, however, because Father took a hair-follicle drug test that
was positive. Father explained to Khan at that time that he had ingested methamphetamines while
incarcerated after trading commissary for the drugs. In April 2024, Father was then incarcerated
again and remained incarcerated at time of trial in this case in October 2024. The February visit with
B.S. and R.S. was therefore Father’s sole visit with the children after the children’s removal from
Mother’s and Father’s care.

2 We also remind Father’s appointed appellate counsel that if Father, after consulting with

counsel, desires to file a petition for review, counsel is still under a duty to timely file with the Texas
Supreme Court “a petition for review that satisfies the standards for an Anders brief.” In re P.M., 520
S.W.3d 24, 27–28 (Tex. 2016) (per curiam); see In re G.P., 503 S.W.3d 531, 535 (Tex. App.—Waco 2016,
pet. denied); see also TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 107.016.

In the Interest of B.S. and R.S., Children Page 20
MATT JOHNSON
Chief Justice

OPINION DELIVERED and FILED: March 27, 2025
Before Chief Justice Johnson,
Justice Smith, and
Justice Harris
Affirmed
[CV06]

In the Interest of B.S. and R.S., Children Page 21