Judge names department temporary managing conservator, adjudicates Patrick Muhendo father of child in High Plains hearing

Presiding Judge in High Plains Child Protection Court on Jan. 23 ordered the Texas child‑welfare department to serve as temporary managing conservator of 4‑year‑old Karen Muska and adjudicated Patrick Muhendo as the child’s legal father, saying the evidence presented in the hearing supported both steps.

The ruling followed testimony that Karen reported being hit repeatedly and that a prior child‑welfare investigation had occurred; the judge said there was a continuing danger to return the child to the mother and that the department lacked enough information about the father’s Tennessee home to release the child to him immediately.

The judge opened the decision by saying, “I find the evidence is sufficient to name the department as temporary managing conservator of the child,” and added that the department must use reasonable efforts to reunify the family. The judge also ordered that mother receive therapeutic visits “as soon as we get that set up,” and allowed supervised visits with Muhendo to be scheduled, noting visits would likely be virtual unless he can travel to the jurisdiction.

Why it matters: the court’s orders control where the child will live and how parents…