A High Plains Child Protection Court judge on Nov. 13 terminated the parental rights of Truzell (sometimes transcribed as Trussell) Moore and alleged father Marvin Price in the case of infant Kiana Johnson and ordered the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) to pursue a home study for the child’s maternal grandmother.

Judge's ruling and legal basis

“I do find by clear and convincing evidence that it is in the best interest of the child, Kiana Johnson, to terminate the parental rights between the child and her mother, Cruzelle [Truzell] Moore, based on Texas Family Code 161.001,” the judge said when announcing the decision and citing multiple subsections of the statute as the legal basis for termination. The judge also found grounds to terminate the alleged father Marvin Price’s rights under the Family Code and to terminate rights of any unknown father for failure to register with the paternity registry.

Why the court terminated rights

DFPS witnesses and documents introduced at the resumed final hearing showed that mother and infant tested positive for amphetamines at delivery and that the mother had subsequent positive drug screens in September and October 2024 (both UA and hair tests filed as business records). DFPS caseworkers testified that the mother did not sustain contact with caseworkers, repeatedly missed required drug screening, and failed to comply with the family plan of services filed in November 2024, which included random drug testing, parenting classes, counseling and an OSR assessment. Sterling Mendoza, the current DFPS caseworker, told the court the department believed termination was in the child’s best interest and confirmed the foster placement was willing to adopt.

Mother’s position and placement requests

At the hearing the mother, Truzell Moore, acknowledged she had not completed the services the department required and said she had misunderstood the status after mediation and thought the case was closed. She asked the court to consider the child’s maternal grandmother, Treva Jones McCoy, for placement and said McCoy had a kidney transplant in January 2025 but was now stable and able to care for the child.

DFPS and foster care testimony

DFPS investigator Becky Amos and caseworker Avery Hoganson testified about the initial report (08/27/2024), removal at birth for drug exposure and the department’s efforts to locate and evaluate family placements. Foster parent Casey McDaniel told the court she has cared for Kiana since removal, described a strong bond and confirmed she is licensed and would like to adopt.

Court orders and next steps

The judge named DFPS permanent managing conservator of the child, dismissed most court‑appointed counsel except the attorney ad litem for the child, and ordered DFPS to complete a home study on Trva Jones McCoy to evaluate her for possible placement (the judge said the home study may be completed even post‑termination if McCoy is willing). The judge scheduled a review hearing for 2026-02-05 on the court’s 9:00 docket and noted applicable appellate time frames for counsel.

What the ruling does and does not do

The court’s order is a final parent-rights termination for the named parents in this hearing record. The judge stated DFPS had made reasonable efforts to return the child but that continuing danger remained. The ruling establishes DFPS custody and allows the department to pursue adoption procedures if placement and adoption plans remain appropriate.

Who spoke (key witnesses and counsel)

- Judge (presiding) — rendered findings and orders.
- Sterling Mendoza — DFPS caseworker, testified department seeks termination and that placement is willing to adopt.
- Becky Amos — DFPS investigator, testified to the positive screens at delivery and removal decision.
- Avery Hoganson — former DFPS caseworker, testified about family plan of service and missed visits/screens.
- Casey McDaniel — foster parent, said she is bonded with the child and wants to adopt.
- Truzell Moore — mother, acknowledged not completing services and requested consideration of her mother for placement.

Why it matters locally

The hearing ended with the court emphasizing DFPS’s role as temporary and then permanent managing conservator and ordering a home study of a family member, reflecting the court’s balancing of child safety, kinship placement preference and the evidentiary threshold required for termination under Texas law. The case highlights recurring issues in the High Plains: drug‑exposure at birth, missed drug‑testing and the role of kinship placement when family health or history complicates immediate placement.

The record

The court’s factual findings and statutory citations were read into the record at the conclusion of testimony (court transcript).