Judge orders hair and urine drug screens for both parents, schedules mediation and trial in child-welfare case

At a review hearing the judge ordered both parents of Caden Ramirez to submit hair and urine drug screens between noon and 4 p.m. and continued the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services as the child’s temporary managing conservator.

Pamela Ferguson, regional attorney for the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, said the department had initiated an Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) for a possible kinship placement in New Mexico; permanency staff reported the prospective placement’s licensing was tentatively expected in May. Permanency specialist Christina Hunter said the child was "doing really well in placement" and gaining weight.

The court discussed parental compliance. The mother, identified in court as Ms. Vasquez, acknowledged missing prior screens and said she had a transportation issue during snow; the judge replied, “failure to attend that and go to that. It's deemed a positive result,” and ordered both parents to provide hair and urine samples. Hunter agreed she could arrange authorizations so Ms. Vasquez could complete screening the same day and the judge told counsel to set tests between noon and 4 p.m.; staff noted 4 p.m. is the latest the testing site will accept specimens.

The judge said virtual visits could be reinstated for the mother if she appeared for the ordered drug screen; positive results would delay in-person visits. The court also ordered mediation to be completed by June 15, 2025, and said the case is set for trial on July 9, 2025, on the 9:00 a.m. docket. The department was continued as temporary managing conservator and the judge made an on-the-record finding that returning the child to either parent posed a continuing danger because neither parent had complied with service plans.