In the Interest of J.J., a Child v. the State of Texas
CourtTexas Court of Appeals, 2nd District (Fort Worth)
Date FiledAugust 31, 2026
Docket02-26-00381-CV
StatusPublished
📰 News Coverage: Read the LAWS.com news report on this case
Full Opinion
In the
Court of Appeals
Second Appellate District of Texas
at Fort Worth
___________________________
No. 02-26-00381-CV
___________________________
IN THE INTEREST OF J.J., A CHILD
On Appeal from the 325th District Court
Tarrant County, Texas
Trial Court No. 325-768391-25
Before Bassel, Womack, and Wallach, JJ.
Memorandum Opinion by Justice Bassel
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Appellant Mother appeals from the trial court’s judgment terminating her
parent–child relationship with her minor child, J.J., and awarding permanent
managing conservatorship of J.J. to the Texas Department of Family and Protective
Services after J.J. was removed from Mother’s care and tested positive for
amphetamine and methamphetamine. See Tex. Fam. Code § 161.001(b)(1)(D), (E),
(N), (b)(2). We affirm.
Mother’s appointed appellate counsel has filed a motion to withdraw and a
brief stating that after thoroughly reviewing the appellate record, she “has been unable
to identify any legally non-frivolous grounds for appeal.” See Anders v. California, 386
U.S. 738, 744, 87 S. Ct. 1396, 1400 (1967); see also In re K.M., 98 S.W.3d 774, 776–77
(Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2003, order) (holding that Anders procedures apply in cases
terminating parental rights), disp. on merits, No. 2-01-349-CV, 2003 WL 2006583, at
*1–3 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth May 1, 2003, no pet.). The brief meets the Anders
requirements by presenting a professional evaluation of the record and demonstrating
why there are no arguable grounds to be advanced on appeal. Further, Mother’s
counsel (1) provided Mother with copies of the motion to withdraw and Anders brief
and a form pro se motion to access the appellate record with instructions on how to
file it and (2) informed Mother of her right to file a pro se response and her right to
file a pro se petition for review with the Texas Supreme Court if this court agrees that
her appeal is frivolous.
2
Although given the opportunity to do so, neither Mother nor the Department
of Family and Protective Services has filed a response.
When an Anders brief is filed, we must independently examine the record to
determine if any arguable grounds for appeal exist. In re C.J., 501 S.W.3d 254, 255
(Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2016, pets. denied). Our examination should consider the
record, the briefs, and any pro se response if one is filed. In re L.B., No. 02-19-00407-
CV, 2020 WL 1809505, at *1 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Apr. 9, 2020, no pet.).
After careful review, we agree with Mother’s counsel that there are no arguable
grounds for appeal in this case. We affirm the trial court’s judgment terminating the
parent–child relationship between Mother and J.J. Mother’s counsel remains
appointed in this case through any proceedings in the Supreme Court unless
otherwise relieved of these duties. See Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 107.016; In re P.M., 520
S.W.3d 24, 27 (Tex. 2016) (order).
/s/ Dabney Bassel
Dabney Bassel
Justice
Delivered: August 31, 2026
3