                                    In The
                               Court of Appeals
                      Seventh District of Texas at Amarillo

                                    No. 07-13-00298-CV


                   IN THE INTEREST OF M.Y.G., C.R.J., N.R., CHILDREN

                           On Appeal from the 64th District Court
                                   Castro County, Texas
           Trial Court No. A9422-1201, Honorable Robert W. Kinkaid Jr., Presiding

                                    January 31, 2014

                                       OPINION

                  Before CAMPBELL and HANCOCK and PIRTLE, JJ.

       In this accelerated appeal, Amber and Carl1 appeal an order terminating their

respective parental rights to the children. Amber appeals as to all of the listed children

and Carl appeals as to M.Y.G. and C.R.J. The father of N.R. has not appealed the trial

court‘s ruling.


       Amber and Carl each contest the legal and factual sufficiency of the evidence to

support the trial court‘s judgment terminating their respective parental rights for

knowingly placing or knowingly allowing the children to remain in conditions or

       1
         Amber and Carl are pseudonyms for the appealing parents and will be referred
to by these names throughout.
surroundings that endangered their physical or emotional well-being. TEX. FAM. CODE.

ANN. § 161.001(1)(D) (West Supp. 2013).2 Likewise, each contest the legal and factual

sufficiency of the evidence to support the trial court‘s judgment terminating their

respective parental rights for engaging in conduct or knowingly placing the children with

persons who engaged in conduct that endangers the physical or emotional well-being of

the children. § 161.001(1)(E). Finally, each contends that the evidence is legally and

factually insufficient to support the trial court‘s judgment that termination was in the best

interest of the children. § 161.001(2).


       Separately, Carl contends that the evidence was legally and factually insufficient

to support his termination for his knowingly engaging in conduct that resulted in his

conviction for an offense and confinement or imprisonment and inability to care for the

children for not less than two years from the date of filing of the petition.              §

161.001(1)(Q). Additionally, Carl contends that section 161.001(1)(Q) is constitutionally

invalid on its face and as applied in this case.


       We will affirm the judgment of the trial court as to both Amber and Carl.


                           Factual and Procedural Background


       On January 7, 2012, law enforcement officers raided the home of Amber and

Carl. During the raid, marijuana, cocaine, hydrocodone and drug paraphernalia were

found in the home. Both Amber and Carl were arrested. The children were all present

in the home when the raid occurred and their parents were arrested.



       2
        Further reference to the Texas Family Code will be by reference to ―section
____‖ or ―§ ____.‖

                                              2
        As a result of the drug raid, the Texas Department of Family and Protective

Services (Department) opened a negligent supervision file regarding the children.

Assigned to investigate this file was investigator Mario Moreno.              During his

investigation, Moreno confirmed from Amber and Carl that the children were present at

the time of the drug raid. Although Amber and Carl refused to admit to possession of

the drugs found at the home, both admitted to smoking marijuana the day before the

raid.   Eventually, only Carl was charged as a result of the drug raid. However, as a

result of the drug raid, the Department filed a petition for temporary conservatorship and

for termination of Amber and Carl‘s parental rights. Subsequently, Moreno developed a

joint service plan for Amber and Carl. Amber and Carl each reviewed the plan and, at

that time, neither was incarcerated. The plan had specific items that both Amber and

Carl were required to complete, maintain, or refrain from doing.


        The file on the children was then placed in the hands of a Department

conservatorship worker, Kristen McClure, to complete.         Initially, the children were

placed with their paternal grandmother. However, the children were again removed

when in August of 2012, the Department learned that the grandmother had simply

returned the children to Amber and Carl. This action was in contravention of the order

of the trial court that Amber and Carl not have unsupervised visitation with the children.

Prior to the Department finding out that the children were back with Amber and Carl,

neither Amber nor Carl had advised the Department of this fact; in fact, the record

reflects that Amber advised that the children were not living in the marital home.


        In October of 2012, Amber and Carl‘s home was again the scene of a drug raid.

There were four individuals arrested in the home at that time. Those arrested were the

                                            3
relatives of Carl: Ruben, Ishmael, Sr., Ishmael, Jr., and Frank. The drugs seized were

methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana. Neither Amber nor Carl was arrested or

charged as a result of this drug bust.


       On November 8, 2012, Carl entered a plea of guilty to possession of a controlled

substance, charges that arose in the January drug raid, and was sentenced to serve a

term of confinement of eight years in the Institutional Division of the Texas Department

of Criminal Justice. Carl was incarcerated at the time of the trial.


       On March 28, 2013, after Amber had made significant progress on her service

plan, the children were returned to her as part of a monitored return. However, the

children were quickly removed and placed back in foster care.          The return of the

children to foster care was precipitated by a shoplifting incident at the Dollar General

Store in Dimmitt, Texas. While Amber had two of the children with her, she was seen

inside Dollar General in the general accompaniment of Ishmael, Ruben, and another

person, all three of whom were involved in shoplifting from the store. Ishmael and

Ruben are two of the individuals arrested in the second drug bust at Amber‘s home. No

charges were filed against Amber; however, she did receive a criminal trespass notice.

This incident occurred on March 27, 2013; however, the Department did not learn of this

incident until April 5, 2013, after the children had been returned for a monitored return.

The record reflects that Amber never notified the Department of the incident at the

Dollar General Store.


       In a visit to Amber‘s home shortly after the incident at Dollar General, McClure

discovered two people living in the home who were not approved to be living there.



                                             4
According to McClure, when the children were returned to Amber‘s care, Amber agreed

that no other individuals would live in the home. At that same visit, Amber advised

McClure that all three children were with her but, when confronted with the fact that this

was not true, Amber simply said she lied because she was afraid it would look bad.


        Based upon the continued association with individuals who were involved with

criminal activity and Amber‘s own dishonesty with the Department, the Department

removed the children and Amber was required to begin counseling again with Sonya

Higgins. The new requirement for counseling was to be eight sessions. In the final

analysis, Amber only attended two of the eight sessions. Amber‘s excuse for her non-

attendance at the counseling sessions was that she lacked any transportation.


        The trial court heard the testimony of the Department‘s witnesses and that of

Amber. At the conclusion of the testimony, the trial court found that Amber and Carl

had committed the predicate acts alleged against them and that termination of their

respective parental rights was in the best interest of the children. Accordingly, the trial

court entered an order terminating the parental rights of Amber and Carl, and this

appeal ensued.


        The issues presented by the appeals of Amber and Carl deal with the sufficiency

of the evidence, legally and factually, to support either the predicate acts alleged by the

Department and the best interest finding by the trial court. Additionally, Carl contends

that the section 161.001(1)(Q) is constitutionally invalid on its face and as applied to

him. Disagreeing with Amber and Carl‘s positions, we will affirm the judgment of the

trial court.



                                             5
                                    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

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.

                                              6
       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.


       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

                                             7
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.


                                Applicable Law and Analysis


Predicate Acts


       The trial court found that the evidence supported termination of Amber‘s and

Carl‘s parental rights based upon subsection (D)‘s endangering environment or

conditions and subsection (E)‘s endangering conduct.             See § 161.001(1)(D), (E).

Evidence concerning subsections (D)‘s and (E)‘s statutory grounds for termination is

interrelated; therefore, we will consolidate our review of the evidence supporting these

grounds.3 See In re N.K., 399 S.W.3d 322, 329 (Tex. App.—Amarillo 2013, no pet.); In

re I.G., 383 S.W.3d 763, 770 n.6 (Tex. App.—Amarillo 2012, no pet.). Endangerment of

the child‘s physical or emotional well-being is an element of both subsections (D) and

(E). See § 161.001(1)(D), (E); see also In re N.K., 399 S.W.3d at 329–30.


       ―[E]ndanger‖ means ―to expose to loss or injury; to jeopardize.‖ Tex. Dep’t of

Human Servs. v. Boyd, 727 S.W.2d 531, 533 (Tex. 1987). Although ―‗endanger‘ means


       3
        Indeed, this Court has observed the interrelated nature of evidence that could
support these two statutory grounds for termination: ―Although the focus of subsection
(D) is on the child‘s living environment and not on the parent‘s conduct, parental
conduct may produce an endangering ‗environment.‘‖ In re D.R.J., No. 07-08-00410-
CV, 2009 Tex. App. LEXIS 5231, at *7 (Tex. App.—Amarillo July 8, 2009, pet. denied)
(mem. op.) (citing In re D.T., 34 S.W.3d 625, 633 (Tex.App.—Fort Worth 2000, pet.
denied)). That is not to say, however, that the two subsections require the same
evidence. See In re U.P., 105 S.W.3d 222, 236 n.7 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.]
2003, pet. denied) (discussing the distinctions between subsections (D) and (E)).

                                               8
more than a threat of metaphysical injury or the possible ill effects of a less-than-ideal

family environment, it is not necessary that the conduct be directed at the child or that

the child actually suffers injury.‖ Id.; see In re P.E.W., 105 S.W.3d 771, 777 (Tex.

App.—Amarillo 2003, no pet.) (observing that child ―need not develop or succumb to a

malady‖ in order to prove endangering conditions). In our review, we not only look at

evidence regarding the parent‘s active conduct, but we also consider evidence showing

the parent‘s omissions or failures to act. In re A.B., 125 S.W.3d 769, 777 (Tex. App.—

Texarkana 2003, pet. denied).         The Texas Supreme Court has reiterated that

endangering conduct is not limited to actions directed toward the child: ―It necessarily

follows that the endangering conduct may include the parent‘s actions before the child‘s

birth, while the parent had custody of older children, including evidence of drug usage.‖

In re J.O.A., 283 S.W.3d 336, 345 (Tex. 2009); see In re T.N., 180 S.W.3d 376, 383

(Tex. App.—Amarillo 2005, no pet.)


Analysis of Carl‘s Arguments


         Carl‘s position on appeal seems to be that the evidence does not show any direct

harm to the children and, thus, the Department has not proved endangerment. This

coupled with the fact that Carl has made significant strides in his efforts to provide

supervision and a safe environment for the children prior to his incarceration means that

the Department has not met its burden of proving the predicate behavior by clear and

convincing evidence. See In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d at 263; see § 161.206(a) (West

2008).




                                             9
       However, Carl‘s position simply ignores certain facts. First, Carl minimizes the

effect of his conviction for possession of a controlled substance. The record further

reflects that the children were present in the home when a drug raid occurred and Carl

was arrested and that marijuana and cocaine were found in the home. Even after his

arrest for possession of controlled substances, Carl had his family in the home when

several members were in possession of various controlled substances. We know this to

be because the record reflects that a second drug raid on Carl‘s home resulted in the

arrest of several members of his family for various drug offenses. Even if we assume

that Carl is correct and the record shows no actual injury to any child, this is of no avail

to him. The law does not require that a child suffer actual injury; rather, it is enough

when the parental conduct produces an endangering environment. See In re D.R.J.,

2009 Tex. App. LEXIS 5231, at *8. In fact, a parent‘s abuse of drugs while having

custody of children supports termination under section 161.001(1)(E). See In re J.O.A.,

283 S.W.3d at 346. Additionally, unlawful conduct by persons who live with the child or

with whom the child must associate on a regular basis is a part of the child‘s conditions

or surroundings for purposes of section 161.001(1)(D). See In re C.L.S.E.H., No. 02-

10-00475-CV, 2011 Tex. App. LEXIS 6853, at *11 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth, no pet.)

(mem. op.) (citing In re D.T., 34 S.W.3d at 632).


       Thus, the record demonstrates that Carl was not providing proper supervision or

a safe environment for the children. Therefore, the trier of fact could form a firm belief

or conviction that Carl‘s parenting fostered an endangering environment and he allowed

or took part in endangering conduct.      In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d at 266. Accordingly,




                                            10
Carl‘s issues regarding the legal and factual sufficiency of the evidence to support

termination under section 161.001(1)(D) and (E) are overruled.


       Carl contends that he had made substantial progress on his ability to provide a

safe environment for the children prior to his incarceration. While it is true that Carl did

many of the tasks required of him by the court, another fact is equally true. Carl does

not contend he completed the plan, and the Department does not allege failure to

complete the plan as a predicate ground for termination of Carl‘s parental rights. It was

up to the trier of fact to weigh this fact of Carl‘s efforts in deciding whether to terminate

his parental rights. It should be remembered that had the Department alleged section

161.001(1)(O) as a ground for termination partial compliance is not sufficient to defeat

such an allegation. In re I.G., 383 S.W.3d at 771.


       Because only one of the statutory predicate grounds for termination need be

proved to support a termination order, we do not reach Carl‘s issue regarding section

161.001(1)(Q). See In re A.V., 113 S.W.3d at 361. Accordingly, we express no opinion

regarding Carl‘s issue on that subject.


Analysis of Amber‘s Arguments


       Our review of the record reveals that the facts regarding the two drug raids which

were discussed under the section of this opinion regarding Carl are applicable to Amber

with the exception that the individuals arrested at the time of the second raid were Carl‘s

relatives and not Amber‘s. That factual distinction aside, we are still faced with the

children residing in a home where drugs were apparently routinely present.




                                             11
       In addition to those facts, the trial court had before it testimony that directly

implicated whether Amber could or would change her method of parenting to provide for

more suitable supervision and direction of the children so as to eliminate the

endangering aspects of the home life. Specifically at issue are two incidents that either

occurred shortly after the Department allowed the children to return to Amber under a

monitored return or the Department found out about shortly after the monitored return.


       The incident at the Dollar General Store occurred before the monitored return,

but the Department did not find out about it until after the monitored return. Amber

contends that she did not participate in the shoplifting at the Dollar General Store and

did not know about it. However, it is worth observing that the individuals who were

directly involved in the incident were some of the same individuals who were arrested at

the time of the second drug raid. Amber‘s testimony was not that she was not at the

Dollar General when the shoplifting took place, but rather, she did not participate in or

know about it. In connection with investigating the shoplifting incident, the Department

went to Amber‘s residence to visit with her about it and discovered that two people were

living in the home with Amber of whom the Department had no knowledge and not

approved to be there. This was in violation of the Department‘s agreement with Amber

that no other individuals would be living in the home. Further, at that same meeting

Amber was asked where the children were, and she advised the Department

caseworker that all three were at home when, in fact, M.Y.G. was not at home. These

incidents reflect upon the credibility of Amber‘s testimony before the trial court.

Remembering that the trial court was acting as the factfinder and, as such, is the sole

judge of the credibility of the witnesses and the weight to be given their testimony, these


                                            12
incidents of less-than-truthful statements by Amber undercut her allegations of no

knowledge about the events at the Dollar General Store. See City of Keller v. Wilson,

168 S.W.3d 802, 819 (Tex. 2005).


      In the final analysis, we are faced with a situation regarding Amber where drugs

are in the home and drug usage occurs when the children are in the home. Despite

contending that she has changed and those influences are no longer present, Amber

continues to associate with the same people who provided the impetus for the second

drug raid. Although she claims no knowledge of or participation in the shoplifting, the

trial court has heard testimony about Amber‘s less-than-truthful dealings with the

Department. Under this factual scenario, the trial court could have chosen to believe

the Department‘s version of the events and totally discounted Amber. See id. In so

doing, the factfinder could have formed a firm belief or conviction that Amber created an

endangering environment and engaged in endangering conduct.             In re J.F.C., 96

S.W.3d at 266. Accordingly, Amber‘s issues regarding the legal and factual sufficiency

of the evidence to support termination under section 161.001(1)(D) and (E) are

overruled.


                              Best Interest 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



                                           13
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

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


                                            14
warrants termination of the parent-child relationship. In re D.S., 333 S.W.3d 379, 384

(Tex. App.—Amarillo 2011, no pet.).


Analysis


       Before beginning the analysis, a recounting of the testimony needs to be set forth

as it impacts the best interest of the children. The record before this Court is one of

drug possession, drug dealing, and drug usage by Carl, with Amber‘s knowledge and

participation in at least the drug usage. All of this occurred in the home with the children

present. Subsequently, Carl‘s family was in the home when another drug raid ensued,

again with the children apparently present. After the children were removed to the

paternal grandmother, she turned them back over to the parents who knew they were

not to have unsupervised visitation or custody of the children as per their agreement

with the Department.     Yet, no effort was made to advise the Department of this

development.


       Carl was subsequently sent to ID-TDCJ for eight years and will have no

meaningful contact with the children during that period. The caseworker testified that,

although Carl took steps to complete the family plan prior to incarceration, he has not

been able to complete any further services.            Additionally, and probably more

importantly, Carl has not made any efforts to make any arrangements for the care of the

children should they be returned to the family. Instead, Carl has apparently left all of

these arrangements up to Amber.


       Regarding Amber, the record indicates a pattern of poor choices and less-than-

honest dealings with the Department. Initially, there was the aforementioned regaining


                                            15
possession of the children from the paternal grandmother against the express directions

of the court and the Department. Next, the act of hiding this information does not speak

well for Amber. After that incident, she appeared to be completing the steps necessary

to regain custody of the children and, in fact, subsequently was allowed custody on a

monitored return.   Yet, before the monitored return even took place, Amber was

involved in the shoplifting incident at Dollar General. Though Amber protests she knew

nothing about the shoplifting, the fact that those involved were the same family

members arrested in her home during the second drug raid brings in to question her

candor and her ability to make sound judgments. Additionally, again Amber failed to

apprise the Department of the incident at Dollar General.       After this incident, the

children were again placed in the Department‘s care, and Amber was required to

reinitiate counseling. She was asked to attend eight sessions. The record establishes

that she attended only two sessions. Amber subsequently contended that she did not

attend the other sessions because she did not have transportation. Yet, during the time

she failed to attend counseling, Amber had requested her visitation with her children be

moved to another date so that it would not conflict with her counseling. In testimony at

the final hearing, Amber had only the most vague plans about moving to Lubbock to get

away from the negative past. However, she had made no inquiries about a job or a

place to live. The caseworker testified that the home Amber was living in was not clean

and did not have food to support Amber and three children.        All of this brings the

stability of any arrangements Amber might claim to be making into serious question.




                                           16
Desires of the Children


       The desires of the children are the first Holley factor listed, and we shall consider

it first. The trial court heard testimony that the children want to return to their parents.

While we must certainly factor in the children‘s desires, those desires are not allowed to

overrule their physical safety and emotional health. See In re R.M., No. 07-12-00412-

CV, 2012 Tex. App. LEXIS 10239, at *19-20 (Tex. App.—Amarillo Dec. 12, 2012, no

pet.) (mem. op.) (citing In re W.S.M., 107 S.W.3d 772, 773 (Tex. App.—Texarkana

2003, no pet.)). Thus, we will consider the children‘s request; however, such a request

militates only slightly against the trial court‘s best interest finding.


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 next two Holley factors will be considered together. As previously noted, the

evidence that proves the predicate acts may also be used to support the trial court‘s

best interest finding. In re D.S., 333 S.W.3d at 384. Further, a parent‘s future conduct

may be measured by his or her past conduct. Id. The record clearly supports that the

emotional and physical needs of the children were not being met in the past and, in fact,

those needs were in danger. The record further supports a conclusion that neither Carl

nor Amber have any definitive plans regarding the children in the future.              Carl,

apparently because of his current incarceration status, has voiced no plans. Amber has

voiced only the most general and vague plans. The problem with accepting Amber‘s

vague plans at face value is that her conduct demonstrates an inability to follow through

with any plans or to stop the behaviors that have led to the current situation. It is

recognized that past behavior may be used to measure a parent‘s future conduct when

                                               17
making a best interest determination. See In re D.S., 333 S.W.3d at 384. Therefore,

the emotional and physical needs in the past and the future and the emotional physical

danger in the past and the future strongly support termination as in the best interest of

the children. We are also reminded that it is up to the factfinder to resolve conflicts in

testimony. See In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d at 266. These two Holley factors are strongly

weighed in favor of the trial court‘s ruling regarding the best interest of the children.


Stability of the Home or Proposed Placement


       The issue of the stability of Carl and Amber‘s home was thoroughly discussed in

the previous portion of this opinion. There is virtually no stability in the home of Carl

and Amber. The case worker testified that the only way to seek true permanency was

through adoption and that this should occur sooner rather than later. This, in turn,

supports a finding that the best interest of the children would be served by termination.


The Parties‘ Plans for the Children


       Again, the record demonstrates that Carl has no real plans and that Amber‘s

plans are vague at best. Her fall back plan, obtaining a job at the cafeteria where the

children attend school, was at best illusory. Amber had not sought employment and did

not testify to any facts that she would be able to gain that employment.                    The

Department‘s plans were far more definite and more suitable to permanency for the

children.   The Department had located two potential adoptive families who were

interested in adopting the children. This factor strongly supports that termination is in

the best interests of the children.




                                              18
       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, Carl‘s and Amber‘s issues to the contrary are overruled.


                                        Conclusion


       Having overruled all of Carl‘s and Amber‘s issues regarding the sufficiency of the

evidence to support termination and the best interests of the children, we affirm the

judgment of the trial court.




                                                  Mackey K. Hancock
                                                      Justice




                                             19
