[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-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",[32,75,86],{"_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",6179780,"mediaKeyId","5123636-eaf325080fa491cf7c440081457c5feb","parentId",5123636,"title","Court names DFPS temporary conservator, orders expedited home study for preferred relative in Isaiah Gonzalez matter","audioSeconds",3162,"startMs",10714080,"endMs",13876900,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5123636-eaf325080fa491cf7c440081457c5feb&start=10714&end=13876","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5123636-eaf325080fa491cf7c440081457c5feb/thumbnail_10714080.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6179780/Texas/Court-names-DFPS-temporary-conservator-orders-expedited-home-study-for-preferred-relative-in-Isaiah-Gonzalez-matter","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6179780-06858c32e0c6c89469532250a6080dbd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771009743&Signature=NDKBBItihlPeol49OpzLi0rbq7CSDhxCRUMdZhZohAAelxW6U3lYM0yoQJjA8crhyH4VMNysShpT4ZF5sVaIIynVlWHy07RbbUTxtuo7V742QNvUcbqHR6s4e9-ihKqI01H644h-XDEDwiP~6KwBVcT4E5roBfJ1TqNiFKFJKqkC-c-KiaaeGIYZu5Slyklcrl2~eRH6cMGsB42pd0eJ7ViyS3eHDbVVck1TFZzA7b6tOrM8aCvcVEh-fuZAqum3j5UQDRa2AZk9dacPNPaUmRDRnraHoLOqv7tOkrbcu0JovJuGGUOqHd4u~TM3RjT9O-ly7nqSYhgqEJgVNzh~tw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-07-01T21:58:16Z","article","A judge in the High Plains Child Protection Court found that the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) should be named temporary managing conservator of Isaiah Gonzalez after DFPS investigators reported difficulty confirming a preferred relative placement and outstanding safety questions.

DFPS permanency staff told the court that they had attempted to contact the father’s preferred relative, Britney Denny, at her home and were unable to complete a full assessment because Denny had been away. DFPS worker Amy Ellis testified that Denny then texted the department and disputed investigators’ statements, but investigators were unable to complete a face-to-face home study. DFPS and Saint Francis permanency staff also said they had received other possible relative names from the father, Anthony Otero Bunker, to evaluate for placement.

DFPS requested—and the judge ordered—an expedited home-study on Britney Denny to resolve whether she can safely provide placement. The judge named DFPS temporary managing conservator of Isaiah and named the father as a possessory conservator; the court said it found returning the child to the father would present a continuing danger at this time but directed DFPS to use reasonable reunification efforts.

The judge also ordered a drug screening for the father (urinalysis) to be completed by noon the following day and set a status hearing for July 22, 2025. The judge said if the expedited home study for Denny does not support placement, DFPS should pursue evaluation of other relatives the father has identified.

DFPS and Saint Francis staff emphasized that Denny said she was willing to care for Isaiah but that questions remain about her household composition, financial stability and recent moves. Both the father and Denny testified in the hearing: Denny confirmed she was willing to submit to a home study and a drug test; the father stated he had provided a list of relatives for DFPS to evaluate. The judge ordered DFPS to proceed promptly with background and safety checks and report at the next hearing.

The court’s order put DFPS in charge of immediate placement decisions while directing an expedited inquiry into the preferred relative’s home and the father’s suitability to resume custodial care.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Potter County Docket 7-1-25","oneSentenceSummary","Judge named the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services temporary managing conservator of Isaiah Gonzalez, directed an expedited home study of relative Britney Denny, ordered drug testing for the father and set a status hearing to continue placement planning.","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":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6179785,"Court terminates rights of both parents in Delphinia Meeks case; DFPS named permanent managing conservator",0,2666494,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5123636-eaf325080fa491cf7c440081457c5feb&start=2666&end=2666","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5123636-eaf325080fa491cf7c440081457c5feb/thumbnail_2666494.jpg","/articles/6179785/Texas/Court-terminates-rights-of-both-parents-in-Delphinia-Meeks-case-DFPS-named-permanent-managing-conservator","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6179785-067ccc066b61960a7cf3aa4c1e281dfa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771009743&Signature=otUDi4NLsXRl7UtUZFTzt47a8v3hut8amMDqBMFPppUwg1U0F-Q3nHAZ0RPGw~87uK~3a2G4GLeDXhaUGl3pUvjVy8Yw-9BjYBUnhhpYWrl2r~vUJr7ulFMTfcbwQzsWwQrehPo4aG8Q45AyfUpMjyriTel11vYV7b8sjW3SWgvC0DzGG0ivFosxSynHHdO2WU0-H4mEGjgYMMZyXmr45yYqyP-njwqAzXHo4wC0rmyAdmuV9Us2lcjgAiFX5DnXuM1aSzORzB-BQFzYGpFze6gqnvahWHQD8k7kulmB9qy~mbwfZXmeTEb2XlXgmOhRk5sO3mOaaAvX9J0-YkkUBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A judge in the High Plains Child Protection Court terminated the parental rights of both parents in the case concerning Delphinia (Delfina) Meeks and named the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) permanent managing conservator.

DFPS investigator and permanency staff described injuries that led to the department’s involvement, the child’s medical evaluation and photos admitted into evidence, and the parents’ legal status. Investigator Casey Swihart testified she observed bruises, scratches, burns and blisters on the child during a hospital assessment and authenticated photographs admitted as exhibits. Prosecutors admitted a certified copy of an indictment charging the mother with injury to a child; the mother later pled and is on deferred adjudication.

DFPS counsel and permanency staff told the court the father, Keith Meeks, executed an affidavit of voluntary relinquishment on June 13, 2025. Saint Francis Ministries permanency staff testified the department supports termination of father’s rights based on the signed affidavit and supports termination of the mother’s rights based on the criminal case and other statutory grounds. The mother, Tessa Helms, testified in court about services she has started, employment, housing and visitation with the child.

The judge announced a bench finding that termination was supported by clear and convincing evidence under Texas Family Code §161.001(b)(1) (statutory grounds including conviction/deferred adjudication) and §161.001(b)(2) (best interest). The judge said: “I do find by clear and convincing evidence that it is in the best interest of the child, Delphinia Meeks, to terminate the parental rights between the child and the mother, Tessa Helms, based on Texas Family Code section 161.001 subsection (b)(1), the d, the e, the l grounds… and the best interest under 161.001(b)(2).”

The court named DFPS permanent managing conservator for Delphinia, and the judge said appointed attorneys and the GAL would remain in place for statutory appeal periods. The court set a first review hearing for Sept. 11, 2025, at 9:00 a.m.

The record includes investigation photographs, the indictment and plea documents for the mother, and the father’s signed affidavit of relinquishment (admitted as a filed exhibit).","Judge found by clear and convincing evidence that terminating parental rights of both parents in the Delphinia Meeks case was in the child’s best interest; father Keith Meeks signed an affidavit of voluntary relinquishment and the mother, Tessa Helms, pled to an injury-to-a-child charge and is on deferred adjudication.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6179789,"Judge terminates father’s parental rights in Imani and Janai Sims case",1257,26295,1284164,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5123636-eaf325080fa491cf7c440081457c5feb&start=26&end=1284","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5123636-eaf325080fa491cf7c440081457c5feb/thumbnail_26295.jpg","/articles/6179789/Texas/Judge-terminates-fathers-parental-rights-in-Imani-and-Janai-Sims-case","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6179789-1f4fdd1f5cd19d420fc8784e4cec7c47/orig.mp4?Expires=1771009743&Signature=fjd7fiSfFyABROZGg7Osdms4rpzM5~F-wj6lCxx9q3X0z7uGenxoVcixe~5qK8KJgsoZjntH9nmAtgeuP9dtvSn9rmYKAfN--ZViXoZat~hTUhTwWItVkyNhu7SQ8liZfM8rZtTp5vynEd-2UoUvjAljHoVk-H69PjFqVARQnR~vesVkns-aWPj143g2Nz-VgmfgJV-WqyPrG~fKloGMNG-7Dz8F1nJxj67WTbomWKsnN3NpctYoGve8DPuZ2iyPlFphynQh~oJ--x~L8DW4YH1s9BI2a8lFAeWKr~233cWijkiSYWS3thglAYwj3UsA2wYcv4dRIDJjfZvI4TRDzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A judge in the High Plains Child Protection Court terminated the parental rights of James Sims as to his daughters, Imani and Janai Sims, after finding by clear and convincing evidence that termination was in the children’s best interest.

The Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) and the permanency specialist for the case told the court that Sims had been served and was not present for the final hearing. DFPS introduced certified copies of indictments and plea documents showing Sims had pled to deferred adjudication on criminal charges, including indecency with a child and multiple counts of sexual assault of a child, and had been placed on 10 years’ deferred adjudication with terms prohibiting contact with persons under 17.

The department’s permanency specialist, Jordan Alford of Saint Francis Ministries, testified that the girls had not had contact with their father since the termination-related proceedings and that one child, Janae, is placed with her older sister in Oklahoma while the other, Imani, is in foster care in the Houston area. Alford told the court the sister wants to adopt Janae and might take Imani in the future if Imani’s behavior improves.

After reviewing the evidence and the certified plea and order documents admitted as exhibits, the judge announced: “I do find by clear and convincing evidence that it is in the best interest of Imani Sims and Janai Sims to terminate the parental rights between those two children and their father, James Sims, based on Texas Family Code section 161.001 subsections (b)(1) and (b)(2), and the l provisions.” The court then named DFPS as permanent managing conservator of both children.

The court scheduled the next review hearing for Sept. 11, 2025, at 9:00 a.m.

The record shows the decision relied on certified criminal plea and deferred-adjudication documents admitted into evidence and testimony from the permanency specialist and DFPS counsel describing current placements and the parents’ status. The judge’s order replaces the prior conservatorship arrangements and directs DFPS to manage permanency planning moving forward.","The court found by clear and convincing evidence that terminating James Sims’s parental rights to his daughters, Imani and Janai Sims, is in the children’s best interest and named the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services permanent managing conservator.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Court names DFPS temporary conservator, orders expedited home study for preferred relative in Isaiah Gonzalez matter

Court terminates rights of both parents in Delphinia Meeks case; DFPS named permanent managing conservator

Judge terminates father’s parental rights in Imani and Janai Sims case