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Judge names DFPS temporary managing conservator, adjudicates father in Amarillo-area child-welfare hearing
Summary
In a High Plains Child Protection Court hearing conducted by Zoom, the judge named the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services as temporary managing conservator of infant Izzy Lucero, adjudicated Ricky Lucero Jr. the child’s father, ordered observed drug tests for both parents and directed a home study of the paternal grandmother.
A judge in the High Plains Child Protection Court ordered on the record that the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services be named temporary managing conservator of infant Izzy Lucero, adjudicated Ricky Lucero Jr. as the child’s father and set conditions for reunification, including observed urine tests for both parents before 4 p.m. the same day.
The judge said, “I will find the evidence is sufficient to name the Department of Family and Protective Services as the temporary managing conservator of the child, Izzy Lucero,” and added the court “will use reasonable efforts to reunify the family.” The court also ordered that parents have no in-person visitation with the child until they produce negative observed urine analyses (UAs).
Daniel Trapp of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services told the court, “Yes, your honor. We have an agreement as to the department being named temporary managing conservator.” Trapp also requested observed UAs because of previously received hair-follicle results and said the department would not seek child support or medical support at this time.
Mother Samantha Cortez, who appeared in the Zoom hearing, told the court, “Yes, ma'am. I have to work services in order to get her back.” Father Ricky Lucero Jr. spoke during the hearing and said he wanted the child placed with family; at one point he also said, “I ain't going,” when discussing drug testing.
The court directed DFPS to arrange a home study on the paternal grandmother and said the agency should collect other relatives’ names and contact information in case the grandmother is not an approved placement. The record shows the paternal grandmother previously had a denied placement or home study; the court ordered DFPS to attempt a new home study while prioritizing other relatives if available.
The judge set a status hearing for July 8 and instructed court staff and DFPS to coordinate transport and testing logistics; the court warned that failure to appear for the ordered observed UA would be deemed a positive result. DFPS counsel and the court discussed that the child had been moved from Lubbock to Canadian, Texas, and that virtual visits should be arranged while the parents work toward meeting requirements for in-person contact.
No child support or medical-support orders were issued at the hearing. The court expressly declined to change appointed counsel for the mother in the record, noting the mother’s appointed attorney, Mister Taylor, had not been reached that morning and should appear at the status hearing.
The judge closed by reminding the parents to maintain contact with DFPS and their attorneys, to attend the drug test before the 4 p.m. deadline, and to provide any additional relatives’ information for placement consideration.
