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Judge accepts voluntary relinquishments and terminates parental rights in final Caden Ramirez hearing; DFPS named permanent managing conservator
Summary
In a resumed final hearing the judge accepted voluntary affidavits of relinquishment from both parents, terminated their parental rights based on those affidavits, named DFPS as permanent managing conservator and set a first review hearing on Oct. 8
At a resumed final hearing in Palmer County District Court the presiding judge accepted voluntary affidavits of relinquishment from both parents and terminated their parental rights to the child Caden Alex Ramirez. The court named the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) as permanent managing conservator and ordered that any child-support or medical-support arrearages owed to DFPS be set to zero.
Pamela Ferguson, attorney for DFPS, introduced two exhibits identified as voluntary affidavits of relinquishment. Caseworker Mickey Lane testified the relinquishments were filed and that DFPS accepts permanent managing conservatorship pursuant to those documents. The affidavits were admitted into evidence without objection.
Mickey Lane told the court that Caden is placed with a relative in New Mexico, is “doing very wonderful,” and that the placement is expected to consider adoption in the future. Counsel for the parents and the court-appointed guardian ad litem confirmed cooperation during the transition of the child to his current placement.
The judge made explicit findings by clear and convincing evidence that termination of parental rights is in Caden’s best interest and that DFPS made reasonable efforts to reunify the family. The judge ordered DFPS named permanent managing conservator, directed that court-appointed attorneys be dismissed after de novo and appellate time periods expire with limited exceptions, and scheduled a first review hearing for Oct. 8 (9:00 a.m.).
Attorneys and CASA praised the caseworker and volunteers for the transition work. The court record notes the father, Francisco Ramirez III, is incarcerated at Hereford County Jail and had executed a relinquishment. The mother, Leslie Vasquez, also executed a notarized affidavit of voluntary relinquishment of parental rights.
Background and next steps: The court’s termination order rests on the parents’ voluntary affidavits of relinquishment; DFPS is now the permanent managing conservator and will proceed toward permanency planning, including adoption if appropriate. The first review hearing is set for Oct. 8 to monitor the placement and progress toward permanency.
