in the Interest of J.D.H., E.K.H., Z.H.H., Children ( 2014 )


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  •                                    In The
    Court of Appeals
    Seventh District of Texas at Amarillo
    No. 07-13-00293-CV
    IN THE INTEREST OF J.D.H., E.K.H., Z.H.H., CHILDREN
    On Appeal from the 100th District Court
    Donley County, Texas
    Trial Court No. 6931, Honorable Stuart Messer, Presiding
    February 20, 2014
    MEMORANDUM OPINION
    Before CAMPBELL and HANCOCK and PIRTLE, JJ.
    This is an accelerated appeal involving the termination of the parental rights of
    the parents, Andrea and John, to J.D.H., E.K.H., and Z.H.H.                  Each parent is
    represented by their own counsel who has filed a brief with the Court. The trial court
    terminated Andrea’s parental rights pursuant to the Texas Family Code sections
    161.001(1)(E) and (O). See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 161.001(1)(E), (O) (West Supp.
    2013).1 The trial court terminated John’s parental rights pursuant to sections
    161.001(1)(C), (D), (E), (F), (N), and (O). See § 161.001(1)(C), (D), (E), (F), (N), (O).
    1
    Further reference to the Texas Family Code will be by reference to “section
    ____” or “§ ____.”
    Further, the trial court found that termination of each parent’s parental rights was in the
    best interest of the children. See § 161.001(2).
    Andrea perfected her appeal and presents three issues. She contends in her
    second and third issues that the evidence was insufficient to support the trial court’s
    predicate findings by clear and convincing evidence. Further, Andrea contends in her
    first issue that the evidence was insufficient to support the trial court’s finding that
    termination of her parental rights was in the best interest of the children.
    John perfected his appeal and presents the Court with two issues. John’s first
    issue contends that the trial court committed error in entering an order for substituted
    service on John. John’s second issue contends that, because John’s parental interest
    were not terminated in the first suit filed by the Texas Department of Family and
    Protective Services, that the trial court erred in terminating his parental rights because
    there was no material and substantial change in circumstances since the first denial of
    termination.
    Disagreeing with both Andrea and John, we will affirm.
    Factual and Procedural Background
    The Department initially filed a case seeking to terminate Andrea’s and John’s
    parental rights in 2010. The stated reason for termination was the use of drugs in the
    home. John had little or no contact with the Department during the first case and never
    signed a parenting plan nor attempted to complete any of the requirements of the
    Department’s plan. Because Andrea worked diligently at her services, the children were
    ultimately returned to her and the case was dismissed in January 2012. At the time of
    2
    the dismissal, the case against John was also dismissed. However, the 2012 order
    denied John the appointment as possessory conservator and, further, denied John
    possession and access to the children.
    Subsequently, in February 2012, the Department’s investigator received a report
    that Andrea was giving marijuana to J.D.H. During an interview regarding this report,
    Andrea submitted to an oral drug screen which was positive for methamphetamine.
    When confronted with the test results, Andrea admitted that she had used
    methamphetamine. Because of Andrea’s drug use, the children were again removed
    from the home.
    During the Department’s investigation, Andrea reported to the investigator that
    following the children’s return to the home in January, John had stayed at the home for
    a few days.    At trial, the Department’s caseworker, Jessica Lepe, testified Andrea
    admitted that, during the time John was back in the home, she and he used drugs
    together. Additionally, from Andrea the investigator learned that John had physically
    assaulted Andrea. From the record, it is not clear whether the acts of physical violence
    occurred before or during John’s last appearance in the home. However, John’s acts of
    physical violence toward Andrea were documented in separate interviews by Lepe with
    both Andrea and the children. The children reported that they were afraid of John.
    During both the initial case and the new case, Andrea was required to obtain a
    psychological evaluation. Dr. William Hoke performed each evaluation. At the time Dr.
    Hoke saw Andrea in connection with the second case, she was living in the Walker
    House in a drug and alcohol program. However, according to the testimony, Andrea left
    3
    the Walker House program without completing all portions of the program.              In
    connection with the second psychological assessment, Dr. Hoke testified that the
    results revealed that Andrea was amphetamine dependent, a marijuana abuser, and
    suffered from adult antisocial behavior, brief psychotic disorder, depressive disorder,
    and personality disorder borderline with antisocial and paranoid features. Dr. Hoke’s
    recommendation included individual counseling, completion of drug treatment sobriety,
    a 12-step program. If Andrea did not make the required changes, Dr. Hoke saw little
    chance the children could be returned to her due to the significant danger that exposure
    to a drug lifestyle posed.
    After the second removal, the Department made arrangements for Andrea to
    receive ten individual counseling sessions with Sonya Higgins, a licensed professional
    counselor.   Higgins testified that Andrea attended only four of the sessions, two in
    February 2013 and two in April 2013. Further, Higgins opined that Andrea overcame
    none of the problems that caused the need for individual counseling and did not make
    sufficient progress for the children to be returned to her.
    In addition to not completing the tasks and recommendations of Dr. Hoke,
    Andrea failed to complete her service plan. Specifically, the record demonstrates that
    Andrea failed to complete her individual counseling, did not complete the
    recommendations from her drug and alcohol assessment that she attend Alcoholics
    Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous (AA/NA).
    The children’s therapist, Stephen Jennings, testified regarding his observations
    of the children and the effect that return of the children to Andrea would have on them.
    4
    His testimony may be summed up that, since Andrea did not follow through with her
    individual therapy, AA/NA, and drug treatment, she could not provide the children with a
    safe home. He observed that to return the children to her would result in the regression
    of the children into the chaotic life they had known before.
    Regarding John, the testimony was that the caseworker, Lepe, was never able to
    make personal contact with John. In fact, the trial court signed an order for substituted
    service pursuant to Texas Rules of Civil Procedure 103 and 106(b)(1). See TEX. R. CIV.
    P. 103, 106(b)(1).2 In this case, the trial court designated that service be left with John’s
    mother.
    The record demonstrates that, during the pendency of this second action, John
    was never present in the home and never offered any support for the children. The only
    time John was present in the home was after the first case concluded and he was there
    against the express orders of the trial court that he have no possession or access to the
    children. The Department presented evidence that a service plan was created for John;
    however, since John had no contact with the Department, it was mailed to his mother
    who had advised the Department that she would get his mail to him.
    At the conclusion of the evidence, the trial court found that the Department had
    proven the predicate acts alleged “beyond a reasonable doubt”3 and that it would be in
    2
    Further reference to the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure will be by reference to
    “Rule ____.”
    3
    We construe the trial court’s findings as meaning that the trial court found the
    evidence sufficient under the clear and convincing degree of proof standard defined by
    section 101.007.
    5
    the best interest of the children that both Andrea’s and John’s parental rights be
    terminated. It is from this order that both parents appeal.
    Standard of Review
    The natural right existing between parents and their children is of constitutional
    dimensions. Holick v. Smith, 
    685 S.W.2d 18
    , 20 (Tex. 1985); see Santosky v. Kramer,
    
    455 U.S. 745
    , 758–59, 
    102 S. Ct. 1388
    , 
    71 L. Ed. 2d 599
    (1982). A decree terminating
    this natural right is complete, final, irrevocable, and divests for all time that natural right
    as well as all legal rights, privileges, duties, and powers between the parent and child
    except for the child’s right to inherit. 
    Holick, 685 S.W.2d at 20
    . That being so, we are
    required to strictly scrutinize termination proceedings. In re G.M., 
    596 S.W.2d 846
    , 846
    (Tex. 1980). However, parental rights are not absolute, and the emotional and physical
    interests of a child must not be sacrificed merely to preserve those rights. In re C.H., 
    89 S.W.3d 17
    , 26 (Tex. 2002).
    The Texas Family Code permits a court to terminate the parent-child relationship
    if the petitioner establishes (1) one or more acts or omissions enumerated under section
    161.001(1), and (2) that termination of the parent-child relationship is in the best interest
    of the child. § 161.001. Though evidence may be relevant to both elements, each
    element must be proved, and proof of one does not relieve the burden of proving the
    other. See In re 
    C.H., 89 S.W.3d at 28
    . While both a statutory ground and best interest
    of the child must be proved, only one statutory ground is required to terminate parental
    rights under section 161.001. In re A.V., 
    113 S.W.3d 355
    , 362 (Tex. 2003). Therefore,
    we will affirm the trial court’s order of termination if legally and factually sufficient
    6
    evidence supports any one of the grounds found in the termination order, provided the
    record shows that it was also in the best interest of the child for the parent’s rights to be
    terminated. See 
    id. Due process
    requires the application of the clear and convincing standard of
    proof in cases involving involuntary termination of parental rights.       In re J.F.C., 
    96 S.W.3d 256
    , 263 (Tex. 2002); see § 161.206(a) (West 2008). “‘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.” § 101.007 (West 2008). This standard, which focuses on whether a
    reasonable jury could form a firm belief or conviction, retains the deference a reviewing
    court must have for the factfinder’s role. In re 
    C.H., 89 S.W.3d at 26
    .
    In reviewing the legal sufficiency of the evidence supporting an order terminating
    parental rights, we look at all the evidence in the light most favorable to the finding to
    determine whether a reasonable trier of fact could have formed a firm belief or
    conviction as to the truth of the allegations sought to be established. See In re 
    J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d at 266
    . “To give appropriate deference to the factfinder’s conclusions and
    the role of a court conducting a legal sufficiency review, looking at the evidence in the
    light most favorable to the judgment means that a reviewing court must assume that the
    factfinder resolved disputed facts in favor of its finding if a reasonable factfinder could
    do so.” 
    Id. In other
    words, we will disregard all evidence that a reasonable factfinder
    could have disbelieved or found to have been incredible. 
    Id. 7 When
    reviewing the factual sufficiency of the evidence supporting a termination
    order, we determine “whether the evidence is such that a factfinder could reasonably
    form a firm belief or conviction about the truth of the [Department]’s allegations.” In re
    
    C.H., 89 S.W.3d at 25
    . In conducting this review, we consider whether the disputed
    evidence is such that a reasonable factfinder could not have resolved the disputed
    evidence in favor of its finding. 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.” 
    Id. Andrea’s Termination
    Predicate Acts of Andrea
    The allegations regarding Andrea were that she engaged in conduct or
    knowingly placed the child with persons who engaged in conduct which endangered the
    physical and emotional well-being of the children. § 161.001(1)(E). Additionally, the
    Department alleged that Andrea failed to comply with the provisions of the court order
    that specifically established the actions necessary for her to obtain the return of the
    children who have been in the temporary managing conservatorship of the Department
    for not less than nine months as a result of the children’s removal under Chapter 262 for
    abuse or neglect. See § 161.001(1)(O).
    Remembering that only one statutory ground is required to terminate parental
    rights under section 161.001, we will address the proof of the predicate act pursuant to
    section 161.001(1)(O). In re 
    A.V., 113 S.W.3d at 362
    . Initially, we observe that a claim
    8
    of substantial compliance with a court order does not defeat a termination based upon
    subsection (O). See In re I.G., 
    383 S.W.3d 763
    , 771 (Tex. App.—Amarillo 2012, no
    pet.). We will review the applicable facts accordingly.
    The record demonstrates that Andrea was provided with the family service plan
    that she was required to complete in order to have the children returned to her. Further,
    Andrea does not contest that she signed the family service plan and, thereby,
    acknowledged that she understood the requirements. Finally, no one is contesting that
    the plan was approved by the trial court and entered as an order of that court.
    Analysis
    The record demonstrates that Andrea was ordered to obtain a psychological
    evaluation from Dr. Hoke. Dr. Hoke, based upon that evaluation, recommended that
    Andrea have individual counseling. Pursuant to this recommendation, the Department
    entered into an agreement with Higgins to provide ten sessions of individual counseling
    to Andrea. However, Andrea only attended four sessions over a three-month period.
    Additionally, Dr. Hoke recommended that Andrea complete alcohol and drug
    counseling. As part of this recommendation, Andrea was to attend AA/NA meetings
    and to provide proof of attendance. Andrea ceased providing proof of attendance at
    AA/NA after February 2013. Under the record before this Court, when we view the
    evidence in the light most favorable to the trial court’s ruling, the evidence is legally
    sufficient to produce a firm conviction or belief in the mind of the factfinder that the
    allegation that Andrea failed to complete her court-ordered services is true. See In re
    
    J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d at 266
    .
    9
    When we review the evidence from the perspective of factual sufficiency, we are
    convinced the evidence is such that a factfinder could reasonably form a firm belief or
    conviction about the truth of the Department’s allegation. See In re 
    C.H., 89 S.W.3d at 25
    . There is contained in the record before this Court no disputed evidence that would
    result in a different result. Accordingly, Andrea’s issue challenging the evidence to
    support the legal and factual sufficiency of the evidence to prove the subsection (O)
    allegation is overruled. Because we need find only one predicate act to support the trial
    court’s order regarding termination, we do not address the evidence to support the
    subsection (E) allegation. See In re 
    A.V., 113 S.W.3d at 362
    .
    Best Interests of the Children
    There is a strong presumption that a child’s interest is best served by preserving
    the conservatorship of the parents; however, clear and convincing evidence to the
    contrary may overcome that presumption. In re R.R., 
    209 S.W.3d 112
    , 116 (Tex. 2006)
    (per curiam). The Texas Supreme Court has recognized a non-exhaustive list of factors
    that are pertinent to the inquiry whether termination of parental rights is in the best
    interest of the child: (1) the desires of the child, (2) the emotional and physical needs of
    the child now and in the future, (3) the emotional and physical danger to the child now
    and in the future, (4) the parental abilities of the individuals seeking custody, (5) the
    programs available to assist these individuals to promote the best interest of the child,
    (6) the plans for the child by these individuals or by the agency seeking custody, (7) the
    stability of the home or proposed placement, (8) the acts or omissions of the parent
    which may indicate that the existing parent-child relationship is not a proper one, and (9)
    any excuse for the acts or omissions of the parent. See Holley v. Adams, 
    544 S.W.2d 10
    367, 371–72 (Tex. 1976); see also § 263.307 (West 2008) (providing extensive list of
    factors that may be considered in determining child’s best interest). In examining the
    best interest of the child, we may consider evidence that was also probative of the
    predicate act or omission.    See In re 
    C.H., 89 S.W.3d at 28
    .         The best interest
    determination may rely on direct or circumstantial evidence, subjective facts, and the
    totality of the evidence. In re N.R.T., 
    338 S.W.3d 667
    , 677 (Tex. App.—Amarillo 2011,
    no pet.).
    The Department need not prove all nine Holley factors, and the absence of
    evidence relevant to some of those factors does not bar a finding that termination is in
    the child’s best interest, especially in the face of undisputed evidence that the parental
    relationship endangered the child. See In re 
    C.H., 89 S.W.3d at 27
    . No one Holley
    factor is controlling, and evidence of one factor may be sufficient to support a finding
    that termination is in the child’s best interest. In re A.P., 
    184 S.W.3d 410
    , 414 (Tex.
    App.—Dallas 2006, no pet.)       The evidence supporting the predicate grounds for
    termination may also be used to support a finding that the best interest of the children
    warrants termination of the parent-child relationship. In re D.S., 
    333 S.W.3d 379
    , 384
    (Tex. App.—Amarillo 2011, no pet.).
    Analysis of Best Interests Factors4
    In order to properly analyze the best interest of the children, we should review
    the factual background of the case. In addressing this factual background, we need
    also to remember that the trial court’s removal of the children from Andrea’s care in
    4
    We note that John has not challenged the evidence to support the trial court’s
    finding that it is in the best interest of the children to terminate his parental rights.
    11
    February 2012 was the second removal of these children. The children were returned
    to Andrea in January 2012 after she had made significant progress in addressing her
    drug issues and her parenting abilities. Yet, within a 30-day span the Department felt
    compelled to go back and, for the safety of the children, remove them from Andrea’s
    care.
    The initial impetus for the second removal was a report that, not only was Andrea
    using drugs, but she was also offering them to J.D.H. This allegation was not proved;
    however, the investigation spawned by the allegation revealed that Andrea had returned
    to her practice of using methamphetamine while the children were in the home. Further,
    the record details that the children were living in a chaotic environment where there was
    little parental control offered or accepted.
    The testimony of the Home Life Supervisor from Presbyterian Children’s Home,
    Kimber Thomas, was very demonstrative regarding the effect the children’s home life
    was having on them. Thomas recounted that all three of the children were defiant when
    they first arrived at Presbyterian. Further, each of them was aggressive toward other
    children and the staff.     In fact, the two older children had to be removed from
    Presbyterian and sent to a secure and more structured environment. During the period
    that the children were at Presbyterian, Thomas noted that, after each visit with Andrea,
    the children, each of them, would become more aggressive and less responsive to
    control.
    Jennings, the children’s counselor, testified that he held some visitation events
    with the children and Andrea. In describing the visitation sessions, Jennings used the
    12
    terms chaotic and unstructured. Further, Jennings opined that Andrea seemed to lack
    the ability or willingness to do much with the children’s conduct. Jennings observations
    were, for the most part, a result of the first intervention by the Department because,
    although Andrea was ordered to return for further family therapy after the children were
    returned to her, she failed to do so.
    Higgins, Andrea’s counselor, was appointed to counsel Andrea in the second
    case.   Andrea was to have attended ten sessions of personal counseling but only
    attended four. Based on Higgins’s dealings with Andrea in those four sessions, Higgins
    opined that Andrea could not establish and maintain a safe environment.          Further,
    Higgins stated that in the short time she dealt with Andrea, Andrea had not made any
    progress on the underlying problems and issues. As a result of these opinions, Higgins
    felt that the best interest of the children would be served by termination of Andrea’s
    parental rights.
    In describing Andrea, the psychologist, Dr. Hoke, described her as defensive and
    unwilling to take responsibility for any of the problems that she had. One of the tests
    administered to Andrea resulted in her being classified as a psychopathic deviate.
    According to Hoke, this means that Andrea has really strong antisocial tendencies, is
    very impulsive, has difficulty in accepting responsibility, and will generally seek to get
    her own needs met first. As more directly on point, Hoke testified that Andrea would
    have a very difficult time putting her children’s needs before her desires. Additionally,
    Hoke characterized these personality characteristics as very difficult to change. We will
    now apply the evidence to some of the Holley factors.
    13
    Desires of the Children
    While there is not direct evidence that the children do or do not want to return to
    their mother, there was some testimony that sheds some light on this issue.           The
    children’s therapist, Jennings, testified that the day before the hearing there was a
    phone visit amongst the children.       During this conversation the children expressed
    knowledge that Andrea could not care for them and that they were pretty resolved to
    this situation. Insofar as it is indicative of the children’s desires, this evidence would
    tend to demonstrate that the children have no desire to return to their mother and would
    therefore weigh in favor of the trial court’s decision.
    The Emotional and Physical Needs of the Children Now and in the Future
    The Emotional and Physical Danger to the Children Now and in the Future
    The evidence supporting the predicate grounds for termination may also be used
    to support a finding that the best interest of the children warrants termination of the
    parent-child relationship. In re 
    D.S., 333 S.W.3d at 384
    . Further, evidence of past
    deeds of misconduct or neglect may foretell a parent’s future conduct.          
    Id. The factfinder
    may infer that a parent’s past conduct of endangering the well-being of the
    children may recur in the future if the children are returned. In re D.L.N., 
    958 S.W.2d 934
    , 934 (Tex. App.—Waco 1997, pet. denied). In fact, a parent’s abuse of drugs while
    having custody of children supports termination under § 161.001(1)(E).         See In re
    J.O.A., 
    283 S.W.3d 336
    , 345 (Tex. 2009). This evidence strongly supports the trial
    court’s decision that termination is in the best interest of the children.
    14
    The Parenting Ability of the Individuals Seeking Custody
    The Programs Available to Assist the Party Seeking Custody
    The record before us indicates that Andrea’s home could best be described as
    chaotic.   Even when Andrea was visiting the children in a supervised visitation
    surrounding, her ability to parent the children was described as chaotic. That Andrea
    knew what steps would be required to demonstrate her ability as a parent was readily
    demonstrated by the fact that, in the initial removal of the children from the home,
    Andrea successfully completed the Department’s plan of services and had the children
    placed back into the home. But the most troubling evidence regarding Andrea’s ability
    to parent these children was the psychological testimony of Hoke. Hoke testified that
    Andrea would have a very difficult time putting the needs of the children before her own
    desires and, further, that such a behavior is extremely hard to overcome.         Finally,
    Andrea was offered ten sessions of individual counseling, during which she could have
    worked on these issues, yet she only attended four sessions. Failure to avail oneself of
    the programs offered in the past can be used to infer that the parent lacks the ability to
    motivate herself to improve in the future. In re W.E.C., 
    110 S.W.3d 231
    , 245 (Tex.
    App.—Fort Worth 2003, no pet.). All of this evidence and the reasonable inferences
    that might be derived from the evidence strongly support the trial court’s decision that
    termination is in the best interest of the children.
    Plans for the children
    Suffice it to point out that Andrea did not show up for trial, had not paid any
    support for the children, and, in the period immediately before the final hearing, had
    15
    minimal contact with the children. These facts strongly support the trial court’s decision
    regarding the best interest of the children.
    From a review of these Holley factors, it is clear that the trial court had sufficient
    testimony and facts before it upon which to find by clear and convincing evidence that
    termination was in the best interests of the children. In re 
    J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d at 266
    .
    Accordingly, Andrea’s issue to the contrary is overruled.
    John’s Termination
    Substituted Service on John
    John’s first issue contends that the order for substituted service on John was
    issued in error because the service was ordered left with John’s mother. Under John’s
    theory, the error was that service was left with a person who was interested in the
    outcome of the case. To support this argument, John cites the Court to Texas Rule of
    Civil Procedure 103. See Rule 103. Rule 103 describes who may serve “Process—
    including citation and other notices, writs, order, and other papers issued by the court.”
    
    Id. The rule
    then describes three categories of individuals who may serve process.
    After this list, the rule states, “But no person who is a party or interested in the outcome
    of a suit may serve any process in that suit.”        
    Id. A review
    of the record clearly
    demonstrates that John’s mother did not serve any process on herself or any other
    person. Whether she was a party interested in the outcome of the suit at the time she
    was served with substituted service on John is a matter open for discussion. However,
    that is not John’s issue. John has simply misread the rule, and his position finds no
    support in the law. Accordingly, John’s first issue is overruled.
    16
    During oral arguments John’s attorney signaled intent to abandon the issue
    described above. From that point, John’s counsel started arguing that the trial court
    lacked personal jurisdiction over John because of defective substituted service.
    Subsequently, John filed a motion to file a “Supplemental Brief” and, in fact, submitted
    the proposed supplemental brief to the Court. After receiving the motion and proposed
    brief, this Court requested a response to the motion from the Department.               The
    Department submitted a response which essentially argued that the Court should deny
    the motion because John was, in fact, filing a “Reply Brief” that attempted to raise an
    issue not previously presented to the Court in contravention of Rule 38.3 of the Texas
    Rules of Appellate Procedure and cases construing that rule. See TEX. R. APP. P. 38.3;
    see also Marin Real Estate Partners, L.P. v. Vogt, 
    373 S.W.3d 57
    , 72 (Tex. App.—San
    Antonio 2011, no pet.) (holding issues raised for the first time in reply brief may not be
    considered, except in exceptional cases); Fox v. City of El Paso, 
    292 S.W. 247
    , 249
    (Tex. App.—El Paso 2009, pet. denied). In this case, John has presented the Court
    with no exceptional circumstances, and John has not even averred this was an issue
    that could not have been raised on original submission. Accordingly, we have denied
    the motion to supplement.5
    5
    Were we to allow the “supplemental brief” to be considered it would be of no
    avail to John because, on this issue of personal jurisdiction, the facts reflect that a valid
    order for substituted service was entered. Had counsel for John wished to contest this
    issue, the proper vehicle would have been by a special appearance through Rule 120a.
    Counsel did not avail himself of this and, in fact, participated throughout the trial by
    questioning witnesses and, finally, by making a final argument to the trial court. These
    actions established the trial court’s personal jurisdiction over John. See In re P.Y.M.,
    No. 04-13-00024-CV, 2013 Tex. App. LEXIS 9803, at *7 (Tex. App.—San Antonio Aug.
    7, 2013, pet. denied) (mem. op.)
    17
    Change of Circumstances
    John’s second issue contends that there was no material and substantial change
    in circumstances since the denial of the Department’s request to terminate John’s
    parental rights in the first action. The Department counters that John is misconstruing
    the statute when he argues that the change in circumstance is related only to him. For
    purposes of this opinion only, we will assume without deciding that the facts of this case
    are governed by section 161.004(a). See § 161.004(a) (West 2008).
    Section 161.004 provides in part as follows:
    (a) The court may terminate the parent-child relationship after
    rendition of an order that previously denied termination of
    the parent-child relationship if:
    (1) the petition under this section is filed after the order
    denying termination was rendered;
    (2) the circumstances of the child, parent, sole-managing
    conservator, possessory conservator, or other party
    affected by the order denying termination have
    materially and substantially changed since the
    date that the order was rendered; . . . .
    § 161.004(a)(1), (2).
    From the language of the statute, it is clear that a material and substantial
    change of any affected party will be sufficient for the purposes of proceeding forward in
    the termination.     Under the facts presented in this case, Andrea relapsed into
    methamphetamine use after the children were returned to her. This would be more than
    sufficient. See In re 
    N.R.T., 338 S.W.3d at 679
    . Further, there was the additional factor
    of John moving back into the home after the trial court’s order of dismissal held that he
    18
    was to have no possessory interest or access to the children. Either of these events
    would provide the requisite “material and substantial change” under section 161.004.
    Accordingly, John’s second issue is overruled.
    Conclusion
    Having overruled the issues presented by Andrea and John, we affirm the
    judgment of the trial court.
    Mackey K. Hancock
    Justice
    Pirtle, J., concurring and dissenting.
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