In the Interest of A.M., J.M., and K.W., Children v. the State of Texas

Summary

The Texas Court of Appeals, Second District, affirmed the termination of a mother’s parental rights to three children. The court held that legally and factually sufficient evidence supported findings of conduct-based endangerment under Texas Family Code section 161.001(b)(1)(E) and that termination was in the children’s best interest. The evidence included the mother’s longstanding relationships with abusive men, exposure of the children to domestic violence, and instability despite recent remedial efforts.

Holdings

1. The evidence was legally and factually sufficient to support the finding that Mother engaged in a voluntary, deliberate, and conscious course of conduct that endangered the children's physical or emotional well-being.
2. The evidence was legally and factually sufficient to support the finding that termination of Mother's parental rights was in the children's best interest.

Questions Presented

1. Whether legally and factually sufficient evidence supported the predicate finding that Mother engaged in conduct or knowingly placed the children with persons whose conduct endangered their physical or emotional well-being under Texas Family Code section 161.001(b)(1)(E).
2. Whether legally and factually sufficient evidence supported the finding that termination of Mother's parental rights was in the children's best interest under Texas Family Code section 161.001(b)(2).

Disposition

affirmed