Opinion
No. 05-17-01482-CV
02-15-2018
IN THE INTEREST OF C.E.C., A MINOR CHILD
On Appeal from the 255th Judicial District Court Dallas County, Texas
Trial Court Cause No. DF-08-10464
ORDER
Appellant's brief in this termination of parental rights case is overdue. Our records do not indicate that appellant is represented by counsel. Accordingly, we ORDER the trial court to conduct a hearing to determine why appellant's brief has not been filed. In this regard, the trial court shall make appropriate findings and recommendations and determine whether (1) appellant desires to prosecute the appeal, (2) why appellant's brief has not been timely filed, and (3) whether appellant is entitled to court-appointed counsel. If the trial court finds that appellant is entitled to court-appointed counsel, we ORDER the trial court to appoint an attorney to represent appellant in the appeal. If the trial court finds that appellant is not entitled to court-appointed counsel, the trial court shall determine whether appellant will retain counsel to represent him in the appeal and, if so, the name, State Bar number, and contact information for retained counsel. We ORDER the trial court to transmit a record of the proceedings, which shall include written findings and recommendations, to this Court within TWENTY DAYS of the date of this order.
This appeal is abated to allow the trial court to comply with the above order. The appeal will be reinstated twenty days from the date of this order or when the findings are received, whichever is earlier.
/s/ CAROLYN WRIGHT
CHIEF JUSTICE