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Judge Keeps Child in Temporary DFPS Custody, Cites Ongoing Safety Concerns; Family Pursuing Therapy
Summary
At a Zoom permanency review, the court continued the Department of Family and Protective Services' temporary managing conservatorship and the child's current placement, citing continuing danger if the child returned home. Case participants reported steady progress in therapy and visitation but said reunification remains uncertain.
A juvenile court continued the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services' (DFPS) temporary managing conservatorship and the child's current placement after a review hearing conducted by Zoom, the judge said. The court found a continuing danger to return the child home and set a final docket for Sept. 18 at 9:00 a.m.
The ruling follows reports from DFPS and court-appointed advocates that the child has shown progress in placement but is not yet ready for reunification. Daniel Trout of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services and Tasia McIntyre, DFPS permanency specialist, told the court the child has had no incident reports and is “doing well.” McIntyre said, “She's not ready to go home, but, man, is she making strides.”
The child’s attorney ad litem, Tracy Riley, told the court she remained uncertain whether reunification could be achieved because of unresolved issues from the case’s early allegations and a lack of direct contact with the parents. “I... I'm still a little bit unclear as to whether or not, you know, what our ultimate goal is and whether or not we're going to be able to pull that off,” Riley said.
Janelle Garrett of CASA and Claudia King, the assigned advocate, reported that both parents have continued individual therapy and are participating in post-adoption services. Garrett said the family has been ‘‘reaching out’’ and that she has seen progress, but she and other participants said family therapy recommendations will guide next steps. DFPS staff said family therapy is underway with Priscilla Davis, who is also the child's individual therapist.
Participants described increasing engagement by both parents: McIntyre said the mother has consistently cooperated and the father has started participating more in visits, including an in-person visit. The child and parents have also exchanged care packages, and the child has asked for continued parental engagement.
Counsel and CASA reported a recurring request from the child that the parents offer an apology related to earlier claims in the case. McIntyre and CASA staff said that issue is being addressed through therapeutic services rather than as a direct court requirement. Court and service providers agreed sibling visits and sibling therapy should continue; the court noted a prior sibling-case ruling directing that sibling therapy remain in place.
The judge said an extension of the case was likely given the family’s needs and the court’s concern about safety, but added that if the parties are ‘‘anywhere close to trying reunification’’ by the Sept. 18 hearing the court would consider adjustments. The court instructed that the department's temporary managing conservatorship continue and that the child's placement remain in place.
No formal vote or public objection was recorded. The judge closed the hearing after setting the next status date and asking parties to continue services and monitoring.
Less critical details: participants said monthly post-adoption support meetings are occurring at the CASA office and that sibling therapy is continuing. Specific timelines for family-therapy recommendations were not provided during the hearing.
