in the Interest of A.B.O. and E.B.O., Children ( 2015 )

In The
Court of Appeals
Sixth Appellate District of Texas at Texarkana
No. 06-14-00071-CV
IN THE INTEREST OF A.B.O. AND E.B.O., CHILDREN
On Appeal from the County Court at Law
Lamar County, Texas
Trial Court No. 72199
Before Morriss, C.J., Moseley and Burgess, JJ.
Memorandum Opinion by Justice Moseley
MEMORANDUM OPINION
In this dispute involving the conservatorship of two children, the trial court appointed their
father, David Brian O’Dell (David), and maternal grandmother, Melanie McMurtry, as joint
managing conservators. The trial court further designated McMurtry as the person with the right
to designate the children’s place of residence. David appeals, contending that the trial court erred
in (1) finding that McMurtry had standing to assume joint conservatorship, (2) appointing
McMurtry as the conservator with the exclusive right to determine the children’s primary
residence, in violation of David’s constitutional rights, (3) concluding that McMurtry overcame
the presumption that a fit parent acts in the best interests of his children, (4) concluding that
McMurtry proved that appointment of David as sole managing conservator would significantly
impair the children’s physical health or emotional development, (5) concluding that McMurtry’s
appointment as managing conservator with the exclusive right to determine the children’s
residence was in the children’s best interests, (6) making certain findings of fact that were not
supported by legally or factually sufficient evidence, and (7) entering judgment based on
unsupported factual findings. Because we conclude that the trial court appropriately exercised its
discretion in accordance with Section 156.101 of the Texas Family Code in naming McMurtry as
the children’s managing conservator with the right to determine their residence, we affirm the
judgment of the trial court.
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I. Background
When David and Alisa Jene O’Dell (Jene) were divorced in August 2004, both were
designated as joint managing conservators of their two children, A.B.O. and E.B.O. (the children).
Jene was granted the exclusive right to designate the children’s primary residence.
Following an investigation by Child Protective Services (CPS) in November 2012 of
reported concerns that Jene was using drugs, McMurtry filed a petition in intervention asking that
she be appointed as the children’s sole managing conservator.1 McMurtry claimed that continued
appointment of the parents as joint managing conservators would not be in the best interests of the
children because the appointment would significantly impair the children’s physical health or
emotional development. David filed a motion to deny McMurtry’s requested relief and filed a
counter-petition seeking to modify the parent-child relationship, asking that he be appointed the
conservator with the right to designate the children’s primary residence. Both McMurtry and
David agreed that Jene should not have custody and should only have supervised visitation.
The trial court thereafter issued temporary orders appointing McMurtry and David as the
children’s joint temporary managing conservators and Jene as their temporary possessory
conservator. The court also gave McMurtry the exclusive right to designate the children’s primary
residence. After a final hearing in April 2014, the trial court appointed McMurtry and David as
joint managing conservators and gave McMurtry the right to designate the children’s primary
residence in Lamar County or counties contiguous thereto. Jene was appointed possessory
conservator of the children as supervised by McMurtry. David was ordered to pay child support.
1
After learning that McMurtry filed for custody, CPS took no further action in the case.
3
II. Standing
We initially address the issue of McMurtry’s standing to seek custody of the children under
Sections 102.003 and 102.004 of the Texas Family Code. See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. §§ 102.003–
.004 (West 2014). “Standing is implicit in the concept of subject matter jurisdiction; as such, it is
never presumed and cannot be conferred by waiver or estoppel.” In re M.T.C., 299 S.W.3d 474,
479 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2009, no pet.) (citing Tex. Ass’n of Bus. v. Tex. Air Control Bd., 852
S.W.2d 440, 445–46 (Tex. 1993); In re H.G., 267 S.W.3d 120, 124 (Tex. App.—San Antonio
2008, no pet.)). In reviewing a trial court’s determination of a party’s standing to seek possession
or custody of minor children, we construe the pleadings in favor of the petitioner and look to the
pleader’s intent. M.T.C., 299 S.W.3d at 479. “We review de novo the issue about standing.” Id.
“When standing has been statutorily conferred, the statute itself serves as the proper
framework for a standing analysis.” Everett v. TK–Taito, L.L.C., 178 S.W.3d 844, 851 (Tex.
App.—Fort Worth 2005, no pet.); see Tex. Dep’t of Protective & Regulatory Servs. v. Sherry, 46
S.W.3d 857, 861 (Tex. 2001). “In the context of a suit affecting the parent-child relationship,
standing is governed by the Texas Family Code, and ‘[t]he party seeking relief must allege and
establish standing within the parameters of the language used in the statute.’” In re S.M.D., 329
S.W.3d 8, 12–13 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2010, pet. dism’d) (quoting H.G., 267 S.W.3d at 124);
see M.T.C., 299 S.W.3d at 480.
McMurtry contends her standing to file suit was established pursuant to Sections
102.003(a)(9) and 102.004(a)(1) of the Texas Family Code. See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN.
§§ 102.003(a)(9), 102.004(a)(1). Section 102.003 of the Family Code sets out the general
4
requirements for filing a suit affecting the parent-child relationship (SAPCR). Section
102.003(a)(9) of the Family Code states that an original SAPCR “may be filed at any time by . . .
a person . . . who has had actual care, control, and possession of the child for at least six months
ending not more than 90 days preceding the date of the filing of the petition.” TEX. FAM. CODE
ANN. § 102.003(a)(9). In its findings of fact, the trial court found that McMurtry “had actual
exclusive care, control[,] and possession of the subject children for more than six months prior to
filing her intervention.” The trial court further concluded that McMurtry had standing to bring
suit.
Although Jene was designated as the managing conservator with the right to determine the
children’s primary residence in the divorce decree, the children did not always reside with her.
Jene frequently lived with her boyfriend, Ron Wiggins, but she would leave when the two fought.
Between 2004 and 2007, the children typically stayed with McMurtry two to three nights a week.
In January 2008, Jene’s relationship with Wiggins became volatile, and Jene was in and out of
Wiggins’ home. The children lived with McMurtry off and on during these times when Jene and
Wiggins quarreled.
By 2010, Jene was living with a different man, and the children were living with McMurtry.
In late 2011, the children returned to their mother for three or four months, and by February 2012,
the children returned to McMurtry’s home. On April 7, 2012, Jene, who had since reunited with
Wiggins, again moved out of Wiggins’ home and, shortly thereafter, took up residence with a
different man. McMurtry testified that the children lived with her continuously from April 7, 2012,
until the petition was filed on December 3, 2012. Although one of the girls visited Jene a few
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times during this timeframe, the children always resided with McMurtry. David acknowledged
that the children lived with McMurtry from March 2012 through November 2012.
This testimony establishes, by a preponderance of the evidence, that McMurtry had “actual
care, control, and possession of the [children] for at least six months ending not more than 90 days
preceding the date of the filing of the petition.” TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 102.003(a)(9); see Dep’t
of Fam. & Protective Servs. v. Alternatives in Motion, 210 S.W.3d 794, 799 (Tex. App.—Houston
[1st Dist.] 2006, (2) pets. denied) (petitioner in SAPCR must prove standing by preponderance of
evidence).2 We, therefore, conclude that based on the record, McMurtry established standing.
III. Analysis
A. Parental Presumption Does Not Apply to this Modification Proceeding
Three of David’s complaints are premised on the assertion that he was entitled to a
presumption in favor of biological parents—as opposed to third parties—in the conservatorship
determination. David’s entitlement to the benefit of this presumption depends on whether
McMurtry’s action in the trial court was an original proceeding, governed by Chapter 153 of the
Texas Family Code, or a modification proceeding, governed by Chapter 156 of the Texas Family
Code. See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. §§ 153.001–.709, 156.001–.409 (West 2014). The parental
presumption in Chapter 153 of the Texas Family Code applies only to original suits and states that
unless the court finds that the appointment of the parent or parents would not be in
the best interest of the child because the appointment would significantly impair
2
Given McMurtry’s standing under Section 102.003(a)(9), she also had standing to file a modification petition. See
TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 156.002(b) (West 2014) (stating person or entity who, at time of filing, has standing to sue
under Chapter 102 may file suit for modification in court with continuing, exclusive jurisdiction). Because we find
that McMurtry had standing to bring her SAPCR in accord with Section 102.003(a)(9), we need not address the issue
of whether she likewise proved standing pursuant to Section 102.004(a)(1). See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN.
§ 102.004(a)(1).
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the child’s physical health or emotional development, a parent shall be appointed
sole managing conservator or both parents shall be appointed as joint managing
conservators of the child.
TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 153.131. This presumption does not, however, apply to modifications.
See In re V.L.K., 24 S.W.3d 338, 342–43 (Tex. 2000); In re Guardianship of C.E.M.-K., 341
S.W.3d 68, 79 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2011, pet. denied) (any subsequent custody proceeding
after original determination of conservatorship is modification and parental presumption does not
apply); In re R.T.K., 324 S.W.3d 896, 900–01 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2010, pet.
denied); In re P.D.M., 117 S.W.3d 453, 457–58 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2003, pet. denied)
(parental presumption does not apply to any subsequent custody proceeding regardless of parties
involved) (citing V.L.K., 24 S.W.3d at 343); see also In re M.N.G., 113 S.W.3d 27, 31–32 (Tex.
App.—Fort Worth 2003, no pet.) (parental presumption does not apply even when modification
proceedings pit parent against nonparent).
David, seeking the benefit of the presumption, contends that Troxel v. Granville, 530 U.S.
57 (2000), stands for the proposition that a parent is always entitled to the parental presumption
when a nonparent seeks conservatorship. David further contends that he is entitled to the parental
presumption, under Section 153.433 of the Texas Family Code (the Grandparent Access Statute).
See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 153.433. Conversely, McMurtry contends that because this is a
petition seeking modification of a previous order that specified conservatorship, not an original
suit pertaining to rights generally determined by parents, David is not entitled to the parental
presumption. We agree with McMurtry. In Troxel, the United States Supreme Court once again
recognized the very strong protections afforded to the parent-child relationship by the Due Process
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Clause of the United States Constitution and found that “so long as a parent adequately cares for
his or her children (i.e., is fit), there will normally be no reason for the State to inject itself into the
private realm of the family to further question the ability of that parent to make the best decisions
concerning the rearing of that parent’s children.” Id. at 68–69. However, once courts have been
asked to intervene to establish legal relationships involving children, the decision in Troxel does
not bar the courts from modifying those relationships. “After a court makes an original custody
determination, a party may move to modify that determination.” V.L.K., 24 S.W.3d at 342 (citing
TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 156.002). Consequently, “once custody . . . is established by court order,
the parental presumption does not apply to any subsequent custody proceeding regardless of the
parties involved.” P.D.M., 117 S.W.3d at 457–58. Because an original custody determination as
to conservatorship of the children was made by the County Court at Law of Lamar County in the
2004 divorce decree, the underlying trial court proceeding was necessarily a proceeding to modify
that original custody determination. This conclusion is based on the Texas Supreme Court’s
opinion in V.L.K., the subsequent interpretation of that opinion, and the language in the Texas
Family Code. See V.L.K., 24 S.W.3d at 342–43; P.D.M., 117 S.W.3d at 457–58; see also TEX.
FAM. CODE ANN. § 156.002.
Although “[t]he presumption that the best interest of the child is served by awarding
custody to the parent is deeply embedded in Texas law,” the presumption, codified in Section
153.131, only applies in original proceedings. V.L.K., 24 S.W.3d at 341, 342–43. In so holding,
the high court recognized “the policy concern that [the] trial court should not change custody
unless it is a positive improvement because of the child’s need for stability.” Id. at 343.
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Accordingly, “‘[b]ecause a change of custody disrupts the child’s living arrangements and the
channels of a child’s affection, a change should be ordered only when the trial court is convinced
that the change is to be a positive improvement for the child.’” Id. (quoting Taylor v. Meek, 276
S.W.2d 787, 790 (Tex. 1955)). By including the parental presumption in original suits, but not in
suits for modification of conservatorship,
the Legislature balanced the rights of the parent and the best interest of the child.
On one hand, “the interest of parents in the care, custody, and control of their
children” has been described as “perhaps the oldest of the fundamental liberty
interests” recognized by the United States Supreme Court. Troxel v. Granville, 530
U.S. 57, 65, 120 S. Ct. 2054, 2060, 147 L. Ed. 2d 49 (2000) (plurality op.) (citing
Meyer v. Nebraska, 262 U.S. 390, 399, 401, 262 U.S. 390, [sic] 43 S. Ct. 625, 626,
67 L. Ed. 1042 (1923)). On the other hand, it is the public policy of this State to
resolve conservatorship disputes in a manner that provides a safe, stable, and
nonviolent environment for the child. TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 153.001(a)(2)
(Vernon 2002) (emphasis added).
The Legislature has determined that when these two interests compete[,] . . . the
child’s interest in stability prevails over the parent’s right to primary possession.
Thus, when statutory requirements are met, the parent’s right to primary possession
must yield to the child’s right to a safe, stable home.
In re C.A.M.M., 243 S.W.3d 211, 216 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2007, pet. denied)
(citation omitted).
Because this case involves a modification of conservatorship, rather than an original suit
affecting the parent-child relationship, David was not entitled to the benefit of the parental
presumption.
9
David contends, though, that both the holding in Troxel, 530 U.S. 57, and Section
153.433(2) of the Texas Family Code require imposition of the parental presumption.3 We
disagree. Troxel was a grandparent visitation case in which the United States Supreme Court
declared a Washington State non-parental visitation statute unconstitutional as applied. Id. at 73.
The Court found that the trial court failed to accord proper weight to decisions made by a fit
custodial parent. Id. at 72. The Court focused on the fact that the mother’s fitness as a parent was
never questioned, yet, no special weight was placed on her decision to limit grandparent visitation.
Id. at 68–69. The United States Supreme Court expressly did not consider whether due process
3
As a result of the Troxel opinion, Section 153.433 of the Texas Family Code was amended to allow reasonable
possession of or access to a grandchild only if:
(1) at the time the relief is requested, at least one biological or adoptive parent of the
child has not had that parent’s parental rights terminated;
(2) the grandparent requesting possession of or access to the child has overcome the
presumption that a parent acts in the best interest of the parent’s child by proving by a preponderance
of the evidence that denial of possession of or access to the child would significantly impair the
child’s physical health or emotional well-being; and
(3) the grandparent requesting possession of or access to the child is a parent of a
parent of the child and that parent of the child:
(A) has been incarcerated in jail or prison during the three-month period
preceding the filing of the petition;
(B) has been found by a court to be incompetent;
(C) is dead; or
(D) does not have actual or court-ordered possession of or access to the child.
TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 153.433. McMurtry’s suit was not brought pursuant to the Grandparent Access Statute. The
petition did not allege entitlement to possession of or access to the children in accord with this statute, and the final
order did not indicate the petition was granted in accord with the terms of this statute. Instead, McMurtry sought
modification of the original custody determination regarding the children.
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requires a showing of harm or potential harm to the child before granting visitation and did not
define the precise scope of the parental due process right. Id. at 73.4
The purposes of a non-parental visitation statute, as explained by Justice O’Connor,
presumes fitness of the custodial parent. See id. at 72. Conversely, “[t]he purposes of the Texas
modification statute are entirely different from a visitation statute, and the modification statute
does not presume fitness of the custodial parent.” In re M.N.G., 113 S.W.3d 27, 33 (Tex. App.—
Fort Worth 2003, no pet.). Additionally, Troxel “does not support the trial court’s placing of the
burden on [the grandparent] to show unfitness of [the parent] or harm or potential harm to the child
as predicates for modification.” Id. As the Austin court observed in Zeifman v. Michels,
The policy behind the requirement of a material and substantial change is to prevent
constant relitigation with respect to children. M.N.G. 113 S.W.3d at 33; Watts v.
Watts, 563 S.W.2d 314, 316 (Tex. Civ. App.—Dallas 1978, writ ref’d n.r.e.)
(requirement of material and substantial change predicated upon doctrine of res
judicata as to best interest of child at time of original decree awarding
conservatorship).
Zeifman v. Michels, 212 S.W.3d 582, 595 (Tex. App.—Austin 2006, pet. denied). The required
showing of a material and substantial change in circumstances “serves a valid purpose of
4
David further contends that the parental presumption discussed in Troxel applies to the present case, in reliance on
Svoboda v. Svoboda, No. 03-09-00189-CV, 2009 WL 3151336, at *1 (Tex. App.—Austin Oct. 1, 2009, no pet.) (mem.
op.). Svoboda, however, involved a petition for grandparent possession and access brought pursuant to Section
153.433 of the Family Code, governing possession of or access to grandchildren. See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN.
§ 153.433. That Section of the Code does require that a grandparent seeking court-ordered possession or access must
overcome the presumption that a parent acts in his child’s best interest. The present case does not implicate the
provisions of the Grandparent Access Statute. Further, to the extent David contends that a grandparent’s failure to
overcome the parental presumption to prove standing constitutes a violation of that parent’s constitutional rights, we
disagree. First, McMurtry proved standing in compliance with Section 102.003(a)(9). See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN.
§ 102.003(a)(9). Second, the Texas Supreme Court has determined that standing is determined without reliance on
the parental presumption. Shook v. Gray, 381 S.W.3d 540, 543 (Tex. 2012) (per curiam).
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significantly limiting the trial judge’s discretion and prevents the modification statute from being
unconstitutionally broad.” M.N.G., 113 S.W.3d at 34.
Accordingly, we overrule each of David’s points of error premised on either his purported
entitlement to the parental-fitness presumption or on McMurtry’s purported failure to rebut this
presumption.5
B. Standard of Review
“We review a trial court’s decision regarding custody, control, and possession matters
involving a child under an abuse of discretion standard.” In re A.L.W., 356 S.W.3d 564, 566 (Tex.
App.—Texarkana 2011, no pet.) (citing Gillespie v. Gillespie, 644 S.W.2d 449, 451 (Tex. 1982));
see In re P.M.G., 405 S.W.3d 406, 410 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2013, no pet.). “A trial court
abuses its discretion when its ruling is arbitrary, unreasonable, or without reference to any guiding
rules or legal principles.” A.L.W., 356 S.W.3d at 566 (citing K–Mart Corp. v. Honeycutt, 24
S.W.3d 357, 360 (Tex. 2000) (per curiam); Holtzman v. Holtzman, 993 S.W.2d 729, 734 (Tex.
App.—Texarkana 1999, pet. denied)).
“Under the abuse-of-discretion standard, alleged legal insufficiency and factual
insufficiency of the evidence are not independent grounds of error, but are merely factors in
assessing whether the trial court abused its discretion.” In re S.A.E., No. 06-08-00139-CV, 2009
WL 2060087, at *2 (Tex. App.—Texarkana July 17, 2009, no pet.) (mem. op.); see P.M.G., 405
5
These points of error include point of error number one (alleging trial court error in application of modification and
conservatorship statutes in manner that violated David’s constitutional rights as a parent), point of error number three
(alleging trial court error in concluding that McMurtry overcame the parental presumption), and point of error number
four (alleging trial court error in concluding that naming David as sole managing conservator or to have both parents
as joint managing conservators would significantly impair the children’s physical health or emotional development).
12
S.W.3d at 410. “Where a sufficiency review ‘overlaps the abuse of discretion standard[,] . . . we
engage in a two-pronged inquiry.’” In re C.R.J., No. 06-13-00053-CV, 2014 WL 199209, at *4
(Tex. App.—Texarkana Jan. 17, 2014, no pet.) (mem. op.) (quoting S.A.E., 2009 WL 2060087, at
*2). “[W]e ask if the trial court had sufficient information on which to exercise its discretion and
whether it erred in its application of that discretion.” S.A.E., 2009 WL 2060087, at *2 (citing
Giron v. Gonzalez, 247 S.W.3d 302, 306 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2007, no pet.)).
Because David did not bear the burden of proof at trial, we analyze the legal sufficiency
issue as a “no-evidence” challenge. See Giron, 247 S.W.3d at 306 (citing Croucher v. Croucher,
660 S.W.2d 55, 58 (Tex. 1983)). “We must view the evidence in a light that tends to support the
finding of the disputed fact and disregard all evidence and inferences to the contrary.” Bradford
v. Vento, 48 S.W.3d 749, 754 (Tex. 2001) (citing Weirich v. Weirich, 833 S.W.2d 942, 945 (Tex.
1992)).
“In assessing factual sufficiency, we are to consider all of the record evidence, not just the
evidence supporting the judgment.” In re G.R.W., 191 S.W.3d 896, 899 (Tex. App.—Texarkana
2006, no pet.) (citing Mar. Overseas Corp. v. Ellis, 971 S.W.2d 402, 406–07 (Tex. 1998)). We
set aside findings “only if they are so contrary to the overwhelming weight of the evidence as to
be clearly wrong and manifestly unjust, shock the conscience, or clearly demonstrate bias.” C.R.J.,
2014 WL 199209, at *5 (citing Cain v. Bain, 709 S.W.2d 175, 176 (Tex. 1986) (per curiam)).
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C. Application of Statutory Requirements
The court may modify an order that provides for the appointment of a conservator of a
child, that provides the terms and conditions of conservatorship, or that provides for the possession
of or access to a child if modification would be in the best interest of the child and
(1) the circumstances of the child, a conservator, or other party affected
by the order have materially and substantially changed since the earlier of:
(A) the date of the rendition of the order; or
(B) the date of the signing of a mediated or collaborative law
settlement agreement on which the order is based;
(2) the child is at least 12 years of age and has expressed to the court in
chambers as provided by Section 153.009 the name of the person who is the child’s
preference to have the exclusive right to designate the primary residence of the
child; or
(3) the conservator who has the exclusive right to designate the primary
residence of the child has voluntarily relinquished the primary care and possession
of the child to another person for at least six months.
TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 156.101(a).
Here, the trial court concluded that “there have been substantial and material changes in
the circumstances of the parties and children to sustain a modification of the prior order.” On
appeal, David does not challenge this conclusion. Instead, he challenges the court’s best-interest
determination in connection with the modification under Section 156.101(a). See TEX. FAM. CODE
ANN. § 156.101(a).6
6
David’s best-interest challenge relates to the following legal conclusions made by the trial court:
(3) That the appointment of David Brian O’Dell as sole managing conservator or continuing
to have both parents as joint managing conservators would significantly impair the children’s
physical health or emotional development.
14
Although the Family Code does not list factors to be considered in determining a child’s
best interest in a modification proceeding, the Texas Supreme Court has set out the following
nonexclusive list of factors to be considered in deciding the issue:
(A) the desires of the child; (B) the emotional and physical needs of the child now
and in the future; (C) the emotional and physical danger to the child now and in the
future; (D) the parental abilities of the individuals seeking custody; (E) the
programs available to assist these individuals to promote the best interest of the
child; (F) the plans for the child by these individuals or by the agency seeking
custody; (G) the stability of the home or proposed placement; (H) the acts or
omissions of the parent which may indicate that the existing parent-child
relationship is not a proper one; and (I) any excuse for the acts or omissions of the
parent.
Holley v. Adams, 544 S.W.2d 367, 372 (Tex. 1976) (citations omitted).
Both children were interviewed in chambers by the trial court. Thirteen-year-old A.B.O.
indicated her desire to live with McMurtry because she is A.B.O’s “go-to person.” If A.B.O. needs
anything, she goes to McMurtry. A.B.O. further explained that McMurtry supported her and
E.B.O., she buys their school clothes, takes them to their sporting events, and pays E.B.O’s
telephone bill. McMurtry is there when the children need her. A.B.O. is not as close to David as
she is to McMurtry. Eleven-year-old E.B.O. testified that she wanted to live with McMurtry
because McMurtry has been there for her all of her life. Speaking of McMurtry, E.B.O. testified,
“[S]he was a better mom than my actual mom.” Also, E.B.O. felt as though there would be times
(4) That naming Melanie McMurtry as a joint managing conservator of the children is in the
best interest of the children.
(5) That naming Melanie McMurtry as the conservator with the exclusive right to designate
the primary residence of the children is in the best interest of the children.
Because conclusion of law number three relates to evidence required to rebut the parental-fitness presumption and
because that presumption does not apply here, we limit our discussion solely to the best-interest determination.
15
in her life that she would need a female mentor. E.B.O. indicated that she would rather talk to
McMurtry because she always listens, and E.B.O. can express her feelings to McMurtry. E.B.O.
would feel uncomfortable, nervous, and sad living with David. The first Holley factor weighs in
favor of placing the children with McMurtry.
McMurtry has been the children’s primary caregiver throughout their life. At the children’s
request, McMurtry brought the children to her home when they were living with their mother and
her boyfriend. She has ensured their attendance at school, has been diligent in making sure the
children receive their education, and has maintained contact with school officials and the school
counselor. McMurtry provides most of the children’s clothing, food, and shelter and makes sure
the children are involved in their school activities and rodeo. McMurtry provides stability for the
children.
Although the evidence was clear that David was committed to the children and cared for
them and that he regularly exercised his visitation rights with the children, it is also apparent that
the children have formed a strong bond with McMurtry. Jene, who was the children’s managing
conservator with the right to determine their residence, failed to provide the children with a stable
environment. After the divorce, Jene developed drug problems and lived with different men,
bringing her children to live with her. The children disliked this unstable and unwholesome
lifestyle, and they called on McMurtry to bring them into her home. And, as any loving
grandparent would do, McMurtry brought the children into her home, cared for them, and provided
them needed stability. Because McMurtry has been their primary caretaker since shortly after the
divorce, the children look to her as the source of stability in their lives. McMurtry has always
16
encouraged the children to visit David and to have a relationship with him. The children do not
have a strong bond with David, and McMurtry expressed her willingness to have the children
participate in counseling to understand how to bond with their father. Nothing in the record
indicates that David has ever abused or neglected the children.
Based on this evidence, however, we cannot determine that the trial court abused its
discretion in determining that the children’s best interests were served by naming McMurtry as
their joint managing conservator with the exclusive right to determine their residence.
D. Sufficient Evidence Supported the Trial Court’s Factual Findings
David contends that the following findings are without sufficient evidentiary support:
 “That Melanie McMurtry had actual exclusive care, control and possession
of the subject children for more than six months prior to filing her
intervention.”
 “That Melanie McMurtry has effectively been the primary caretaker of the
subject children for most of their lives.”
 “That the subject children have little bond with their father, David Brian
O’Dell.”
We have previously reviewed the evidence regarding the first challenged finding in
connection with our standing analysis. The evidence is sufficient to support this finding. We
likewise conclude the evidence is sufficient to support the second challenged finding. From the
time the children were quite young, they recall going to spend the night with McMurtry three or
four times a week, and she has been their primary caretaker for most of their lives. David told the
CPS investigator that the children were normally with their grandmother and that the children lived
with McMurtry after March 2012. Kathy Floyd, a licensed professional counselor appointed by
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the court, testified that the children lived with McMurtry most of their lives. A.B.O., when
interviewed by the trial court, stated that she lived with McMurtry most of the time. E.B.O.
likewise testified that she and her sister lived with McMurtry, but they visited their mother.
David further contends that the trial court abused its discretion in finding that the children
have little bond with him. Although David has never missed a weekend visitation with his
children, the children apparently do not feel close to him. David has certainly spent time with the
children—he has taken them to Broken Bow during a spring break from school, has taken them to
a monster truck show, and has attended some of their rodeos. The children nevertheless feel
emotionally distanced from their father. They describe their relationship with David as a three on
a scale of one to ten. When interviewed in chambers, the children indicated that when they visited
David, he primarily spent his time watching television. They described minimal interaction with
him. Other witnesses testified, though, that the children enjoyed being with their father and that
David is a very caring and concerned parent. Having heard the entirety of the testimony, and
having been in the best position to judge the credibility and demeanor of the witnesses, we cannot
say the trial court abused its discretion in entering this finding.7
7
David complains of the following additional findings:
5. That Melanie McMurtry executed and attached an affidavit on knowledge or belief that
contained, along with supporting facts, the allegation that denial of possession of or access
to the children would significantly impair the children’s physical health or emotional well-
being.
6. That the facts stated in the affidavit were true and were sufficient to support the relief
requested.
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In his final issue, David contends that the trial court erred by entering judgment based on
findings not supported by the evidence. We have analyzed the findings as relevant to this
modification proceeding and find that each is well supported in the record.
IV. Conclusion
We affirm the trial court’s judgment.
Bailey C. Moseley
Justice
Date Submitted: April 6, 2015
Date Decided: May 12, 2015
7. That naming David Brian O’Dell as the conservator with the exclusive right to determine
the primary residence of the subject children would significantly impair the children’s
health or emotional development.
8. That David Brian O’Dell intends to completely deny Melanie McMurtry possession of or
access to the children.
Because these findings relate either to David’s purported entitlement to the parental presumption or to McMurtry’s
purported failure to rebut this presumption and because we have previously determined that the parental presumption
does not apply to this modification proceeding, we need not analyze the evidentiary sufficiency of these findings.
David further complains of the following finding:
That Melanie McMurtry is a parent of a parent of the children and that parent of the children has
been incarcerated in jail or prison during the three-month period preceding the filing of the petition;
found by a court to be incompetent; is dead; or does not have actual or court-ordered possession of
or access to the children.
After the trial court entered findings of fact and conclusions of law, David requested this additional finding. We need
not address the evidentiary sufficiency of this finding because it relates solely to the Grandparent Access Statute,
which, as explained earlier in this opinion, is not relevant to this modification proceeding.
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