Opinion
01-23-00691-CV 01-23-00692-CV
01-23-2024
IN THE INTEREST OF J. O. A. M. AKA J. M. AND P. S. R. M., CHILDREN IN THE INTEREST OF O.P.-W. JR. AND A. O. P.-W., CHILDREN
On Appeal from the 312th District Court Harris County, Texas Trial Court Case Nos. 2022-13719 and 2017-45835
ORDER
Veronica Rivas-Molloy, Judge
S.T.N. ("Mother") is appealing orders issued in separate suits affecting the parent-child relationship.
Trial Court Cause Number 2017-45835: On September 1, 2023, the trial court issued a "Decree for Termination" terminating Mother's and A.R.M.'s parental rights to J.O.A.M. AKA J.M. and P.S.R.M.
Trial Court Cause Number 2022-13719: On September 1, 2023, the trial court issued an "Order Modifying Prior Order" which removed Mother and A.O.P.W. ("Father") as A.O.P.-W. Jr. and A.O.P.-W.'s joint managaing conservators, named A.W. as the children's sole managing conservator, and appointed Mother and Father as the children's possessory conservators.
On September 21, 2023, Mother filed timely notices of appeal challenging the September 1, 2023 orders issued in trial court cause number 2017-45835 (appellate cause number 01-23-00692-CV) and trial court cause number 2022-13719 (appellate cause number 01-23-00691-CV).
Mother's briefs in 01-23-00691-CV and 01-23-00692-CV were both due on January 2, 2024. On January 2, 2024, Mother filed a brief in 01-23-00692-CV. The Department's brief was due 20 days later on January 22, 2024. Mother has not filed a brief in 01-23-00691-CV.
On January 17, 2024, the Department filed an "Unopposed First Motion for Extension of Time" requesting, for both pending cases, an "extension of the current deadline for filing of the Department's responsive briefs from the January 22, 2024, filing date, to twenty days from when Mother's brief in the 01-23-00692-CV case is filed."
Cause Number 01-23-00691-CV
The Department's motion for an extension of time to file its brief in 01-23-00691-CV is granted in part and denied in part. The Department's brief in 01-23-00691-CV is due on or before February 6, 2024.
Because this an appeal of a suit for termination of the parent-child relationship, the Court is required to bring this appeal to final disposition within 180 days of the date the notice of appeal was filed so far as reasonably possible. See Tex. R. Jud. Admin. 6.2, reprinted in Tex. Gov't Code, tit. 2, subtit. F app. Consequently, no further extensions of time to file the brief will be granted. See Tex. R. App. P. 38.6(d).
Cause Number 01-23-00692-CV
Mother has not filed a brief in this cause number. By separate order, Mother has been ordered to file her brief by January 29, 2024. The Department's motion for an extension of time to file its brief in 01-23-00692-CV is granted. The Department's brief in 01-23-00692-CV is due 20 days from the filing of Mother's brief in 01-23-00682-CV, or no later than February 19, 2024.
Because this an appeal of a suit for termination of the parent-child relationship, the Court is required to bring this appeal to final disposition within 180 days of the date the notice of appeal was filed so far as reasonably possible. See Tex. R. Jud. Admin. 6.2, reprinted in Tex. Gov't Code, tit. 2, subtit. F app. Consequently, no further extensions of time to file the brief will be granted. See Tex. R. App. P. 38.6(d).
It is so ORDERED.