Judge Keeps Child in DFPS Custody, Orders Service Plan and Interstate Home‑study for Father’s Out‑of‑State Move

The High Plains Child Protection Court continued the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services as temporary managing conservator of 99583, Karen Mosca, and made the family service plans an order of the court.

The judge said the department should remain the temporary managing conservator because “there would be a continuing danger to return the child home at this time,” and ordered the family service plans filed as an order of the court. The court set a return status for June 17, 2025, on the 9:00 a.m. docket.

DFPS caseworkers told the court that the child is doing well in placement and has adjusted to a new school and current caregivers. DFPS worker Sylvia Garcia reported that both parents had signed service plans and that therapeutic, supervised visits are being arranged: visits with the father were expected to begin “next week,” while therapeutic visits with the mother were scheduled to begin once a therapist’s sessions were in place. Garcia said a therapist, Dirk Mullen, “has something set up for this week” to begin therapeutic visits.

The father, Patrick Mahindo, told the court he has moved to a new apartment and said the move occurred “on Monday.” DFPS explained it had not yet located Tennessee providers for some father services and that some services could be provided virtually through Texas. The court and parties discussed initiating an ICPC home study to evaluate the father’s Tennessee residence if placement with him is requested; the judge advised that the ICPC takes time and should be started if the parents intend to request placement out of state.

The court also addressed logistics for supervised virtual visits and directed DFPS to attempt options such as scheduling visits during the child’s lunch or arranging weekend supervision if necessary. The court reiterated to both parents the legal consequences of failing to complete ordered services, stating that failure to work service plans “could mean termination of your parental rights.”

The court continued the child in the department’s care, ordered the family service plans as an order of the court, and scheduled the next hearing for June 17, 2025, at 9:00 a.m.

(Ending) The court recorded that DFPS should use reasonable efforts to reunify the family and that staff should pursue an ICPC home study if the father requests placement across state lines; no return of the child was ordered at this hearing.