[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6292261,"mediaKeyId","2527249-f6151adcbc3e643d1b62d6a2be143d1b","parentId",2527249,"title","Judge names DFPS temporary managing conservator after Amarillo children removed from home","audioSeconds",9568,"startMs",5313000,"endMs",14881000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2527249-f6151adcbc3e643d1b62d6a2be143d1b&start=5313&end=14881","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2527249-f6151adcbc3e643d1b62d6a2be143d1b/thumbnail_5313000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6292261/Texas/Judge-names-DFPS-temporary-managing-conservator-after-Amarillo-children-removed-from-home","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6292261-48ca52d385aae09cf9fe43d01dd3bfcc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154639&Signature=I3b9mL~wVVd0ICpQTtcvexwm1LQrrYaz7E1iEzrQ6OcV1F9YSrCvBCX9tWvek00wQSfqTWcauph5r-mEGktruXNo56FA-ePtVNB6mpjoxuZZrNhryVcl-wch4ZkMJrzXARvbQorDfhzzM6Ig5vLaZS4lsOmk0WKIhAe4iqMgqX4Vc1J-37j~8d2NsdrZeYrvBNPCAh~pV1ouk9Sz4PAkGYyp9x1hSgOAXGFTkjLW9pCpIMLQzeGpV~lY8j9NtK55A9nPSdf5-HYLjnwgknigmVJGJplBkcFmTgOvZJQ8A~Dd~nHESZaeEI9Qo83IXzTRJXFxUdULhv4N94JNxCCEuA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-03-06T18:57:44Z","article","A Amarillo district judge on Feb. 21 placed four children — Isaiah Jeffries, Blaziana Dunn, Micah Pineda and Kira Jeffries — into the temporary managing conservatorship of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), after a contested hearing in which the court found the evidence showed continued danger if the children were returned to their mother.

The court order followed testimony from DFPS investigators and medical experts about missed pediatric follow-ups, a recent hospitalization for the youngest child and school attendance records showing the two older children missed roughly half the academic year. Judge (name not provided) said the evidence supported naming DFPS as temporary managing conservator and keeping the children in out‑of‑home placement while casework proceeds.

Why it matters: The ruling transfers day‑to‑day decision‑making for the children from the parents to DFPS while the agency manages medical care, schooling and placement. The court also authorized an expedited home‑study of the maternal grandmother’s new residence to determine whether placement there would be appropriate under DFPS supervision.

DFPS investigator Ashley Delgado and caseworker Roshanda Archie testified the investigation began after health‑care providers flagged missed follow‑up care for Isaiah, who was born prematurely and had been treated in the NICU. Dr. Rachel Anderson, a pediatrician, testified she saw Isaiah in clinic after a hospital stay and initially was “a little bit concerned,” that his weight and immune status left him vulnerable. Anderson explained that premature infants are more susceptible to serious infections and that growth faltering (historically called “failure to thrive”) was a concern: “Failure to thrive is actually a little bit of a an older diagnosis. We changed the name to growth faltering,” she said, adding that the child’s weight had improved after caregivers increased feeding and clinic follow‑up.

Archie testified DFPS initially placed the children with maternal grandmother under a safety plan in early February, but staff later learned additional people had moved into the grandmother’s three‑bedroom apartment, increasing total household occupancy substantially. Archie said the apartment itself was “clean and appropriate,” but that the number and identities of new occupants — including at least one adult with an active CPS history — raised safety and supervision concerns.

On schooling, school records introduced at the hearing showed Kira and Micah had missed 56 days of school out of 113 days enrolled; the attendance clerk who testified said roughly half the absences were unexcused. The judge described the volume of missed school as “absolutely inexcusable” and said the older children would require close oversight to catch up academically.

DFPS asked the court to name it temporary managing conservator and to proceed with placement and services. Attorneys for the mother and for relatives emphasized that grandmother had cared for the children, that Isaiah’s weight had improved while in her care and that the mother had provided a signed temporary‑custody agreement to grandmother before the safety plan. Mother’s counsel also noted the mother had recently scheduled mental‑health and intake appointments and had produced negative drug screens in December and February.

The court found the combination of (1) the mother’s inconsistent engagement with court‑ordered services and medical appointments, (2) the ongoing medical risk to Isaiah given his prematurity and prior hospitalization, and (3) the children’s prolonged school absences justified naming DFPS temporary managing conservator and continuing the out‑of‑home placements. The judge said: “I do find the evidence is sufficient to name the department as the temporary managing conservator” and ordered continued oversight while the agency pursues services and placement planning.

The judge directed DFPS to run an expedited home study of the maternal grandmother’s current address and left open the possibility of placement there if the study, lease status and a transportation plan were satisfactory. The court set a status hearing for Apr. 22, 2025, at 9:00 a.m.

The order preserves parents’ rights to work services and to seek reunification; the judge said credit will be given for any work a parent has already completed in the underlying case but emphasized the need for “more progress with respect to stability.”

What’s next: DFPS will continue as temporary managing conservator, pursue the expedited home study, and work with parents and relatives on services and placement options. The court will revisit the status of services and placement on Apr. 22, 2025.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Potter County Docket 3-6-25","oneSentenceSummary","A Amarillo district judge on Feb. 21 placed four children — Isaiah Jeffries, Blaziana Dunn, Micah Pineda and Kira Jeffries — into the temporary managing conservatorship of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), after a contested hearing in which the court found the evidence showed continued danger if the children were returned to their mother.","taxTitle","High Plains Child Protection Court, District Court Judges, Judicial, Texas","taxId",66318,"location","Texas","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6292251,"Father seeks finalization after mother signals relinquishment in permanency hearing",510,4350000,4860000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2527249-f6151adcbc3e643d1b62d6a2be143d1b&start=4350&end=4860","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2527249-f6151adcbc3e643d1b62d6a2be143d1b/thumbnail_4350000.jpg","/articles/6292251/Texas/Father-seeks-finalization-after-mother-signals-relinquishment-in-permanency-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6292251-7234c58b08cba792ede4f1226b63d2ce/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154639&Signature=ETOFgfaXWgd4Gdpu-es4kXkV2UDnUasYussA~SzKZKCZaFZowehVKEDM92gNpfz~Te2luXG2Y1e-~6S0c0SfDSKE1FPp7IR624UUNF36EiapKjNXcQy8j~vynoJN72EWrvyubwjxNXwh~yOXjFPxRX6HyPZOKQNppkPVs9XdIe9~rgRBF7tDPgaTnNc4mz5zO4h5sUaF85MNWAjiCVTGRmHwYfVZ9jcvNYF0aNDr3O-N0YVqhZO5GXxzIErU3X7tPmaj8ynDJIhf0Exx2v9MyHTvTqJL5BohoZzaMryAjvpF6IIbZe1hYvZ70Nh3p2nqH9nHZXemZgtUADyTTXiTiA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A judge continued the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services’ role as managing conservator and kept 8‑year‑old Alexi Olivares placed with her father, Alan Olivares, after attorneys said the mother, Samantha Medina, wishes to proceed with a relinquishment of parental rights and the ad litem for the child did not object.

DFPS attorney Daniel Traill told the court the child had been returned to the father and that family interactions and school performance were positive since placement. Tori Cook, the DFPS worker on the case, said Alexi “is doing very well in the home” and reported improved grades and dental follow‑up; she said Alexi had moved from a previous school to River Road and had a strong relationship with her therapist.

Mother’s counsel (Miss Grant) told the court her client wanted to proceed with relinquishment; counsel said the prior attempt to prove relinquishment had been delayed by a child‑support concern raised by the ad litem. The father, through counsel, confirmed he supported a relinquishment and asked the court to redirect child‑support payments to him if the finalization was completed.

Ad litem Stacy Zavala said she did not object to relinquishment and she endorsed an earlier final because the child was doing well in the father’s home. The court set a final hearing for Apr. 22, 2025, at 9:00 a.m., and ordered the department to continue as managing conservator and the child’s placement with the father pending the final.

Why it matters: The possible relinquishment moves a permanency plan toward finalization and would terminate the mother’s parental rights if proven; the court must still ensure the child’s best interests, address child‑support redirection if appropriate, and enter final orders at the scheduled hearing.

What’s next: The court set Apr. 22, 2025, for a final hearing and directed DFPS to continue supervisory responsibilities; counsel and the ad litem will appear to resolve final orders and any outstanding child‑support matters.","At a permanency hearing the court agreed to continue the child’s placement with the father and set an earlier final hearing after the mother indicated willingness to relinquish parental rights; DFPS remains managing conservator and the court set an April 22, 2025 final date.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6292256,"Judge continues services, schedules next compliance hearing in Montez child‑welfare case",1125,2860000,3985000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2527249-f6151adcbc3e643d1b62d6a2be143d1b&start=2860&end=3985","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2527249-f6151adcbc3e643d1b62d6a2be143d1b/thumbnail_2860000.jpg","/articles/6292256/Texas/Judge-continues-services-schedules-next-compliance-hearing-in-Montez-childwelfare-case","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6292256-8ae338f95f913c02f68f0403b21c50e8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154639&Signature=R5uR9NnfA4Nma7E8-oXZUt7IEVKsW6aOiJtTimv5y5FdVSt1PW9AYMfO0MDJQI4UnvB0IMXt05DJhRJO9x7wEcUtjVAL0GfttT8az9b-78U-eQ7znSTjppIO274FjPicWYzaAH237PI5PbzNCILgyyE20QEoJy5y18xk7Da8j5SEF5asQUTpSPwkaNhpwF-EpXxmfwXJ6VeLxqyqfeR~0OFqQxM6c91kmbbCbxVCkGf34JL-MBiBy3PZNUaL1u~k1d7k9ZCe2W1MFtt1ctl3tXxxjqTzYD5h0htZxn35q4NKP72EmgaPHEDrOBAoUsGNzW5or5KTZqoe4pl-qz5F2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A judge continued court‑ordered services and set the next compliance hearing for June 3, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. in the case of the Department of Family and Protective Services v. April Montez, after DFPS reported partial progress and outstanding concerns about safety‑plan compliance and communication between parties.

DFPS caseworker Liliana Bridal (Araiza) told the court that April Montez had begun services, attended some classes and tests, and that screenings had been negative. Bridal reported that April had completed several parenting and counseling sessions and that “she's been very cooperative,” but that staff had ongoing concerns about behavioral issues and safety‑plan violations, including reports of contact between the mother and children outside the approved arrangements.

The department described steps toward expanding contact — the caseworker said staff were preparing a new safety plan that would allow unsupervised contact four hours per week if signed — but noted that Montez had refused to sign two other proposed safety plans pending consultation with counsel. DFPS also reported concerns that the father had allowed at least one child to exchange electronic messages with the mother in violation of prior restrictions.

A court‑appointed representative for the children, Stacy Zavala, said the children were doing well in school and that she had “no concerns at this point” after meeting with them. Counsel for the mother, Lorraine Lucero, said her client was present and had “no questions” at the hearing.

The judge continued the previously ordered services and scheduled the next compliance hearing for June 3, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. The court noted that if DFPS or the parties present an agreed order of dismissal before that date, the case could resolve earlier.

Why it matters: The continued oversight keeps DFPS in a supervising role and preserves the court’s ability to modify contact or placement if safety issues persist. The case highlights recurring themes in child‑welfare hearings: balancing reunification efforts with child safety and requiring adherence to safety plans.

What’s next: DFPS will continue to monitor compliance, pursue signed safety plans where appropriate, and will report progress at the June 3, 2025 compliance hearing.","A compliance hearing in the Department of Family and Protective Services' case involving April Montez resulted in continuation of previously ordered services and a return date of June 3, 2025; DFPS reported mixed progress, new safety plans and concerns about unsupervised contact between mother and children.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Judge names DFPS temporary managing conservator after Amarillo children removed from home

Father seeks finalization after mother signals relinquishment in permanency hearing

Judge continues services, schedules next compliance hearing in Montez child‑welfare case