Supreme Court

Case: 24-0881    
24-0881
10/17/2024
Second Petition for Review/Cause under Rule 53.1
IN THE INTEREST OF K.N., K.L., K.L., AND K.L., CHILDREN 
 
Appellate Briefs
Date▲▼Event Type▲▼Description▲▼RemarksDocument
04/02/2026Amicus Curiae Brief receivedReceived (instead of filed) Amicus Brief received from Texas Lawyers for Children.
02/17/2026Amicus Curiae Brief receivedReceived (instead of filed) Amicus Curiae Brief received on behalf of Institute for the Advancement of Justice & Human Rights submitted by Robert M. O'Boyle of Austin, Texas.
01/07/2026Amicus Curiae Brief receivedReceived (instead of filed) Amicus Curiae Brief received on behalf of the Texas Association of Family Defense Attorneys submitted by Julia Catherine Hatcher of the Law Office Of Julia C. Hatcher of Galveston, Texas.
01/05/2026Amicus Curiae Letter ReceivedReceived (instead of filed) Amicus Curiae Letter received on behalf of Celia M. Wood of the Law Offices of Cecilia M. Wood of Austin, Texas.
01/05/2026Amicus Curiae Brief receivedReceived (instead of filed) Amicus Curiae Brief received on behalf of the Texas Public Policy Foundation submitted by Robert Henneke of the Texas Public Policy Foundation of Austin, Texas.
01/05/2026Post submission brief filedPetitioner Post Submission Brief filed on behalf of C.N.
01/05/2026Post submission brief filedRespondent Post Submission Brief filed on behalf of the Texas Department of Family Services.
01/05/2026Supplemental Brief filedEvent related to subsequent petition filed in case. Supplemental Brief filed on behalf of R.L.
01/02/2026Amicus Curiae Brief receivedReceived (instead of filed) Supplemental Amicus Brief received on behalf of the Family Freedom Project submitted by Chris L. Branson of the Chris Branson Law Firm PLLC of Houston, Texas.
11/24/2025Amicus Curiae Brief receivedReceived (instead of filed) Amicus Curiae Brief received on behalf of the Family Freedom Project submitted by Chris L. Branson of The Chris Branson Law Firm PLLC of Houston, Texas.
07/21/2025Reply BriefPetitioner Reply Brief on the Merits filed on behalf of R.L.
07/07/2025Brief on the MeritsPetitioner's Reply Brief Petitioner's Reply Brief on the Merits filed on behalf of C.N.
06/20/2025Brief on the MeritsRespondent Response Brief on the Merits filed on behalf of Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
05/01/2025Brief on the MeritsPetitioner Petitioner's Brief on the Merits filed on behalf of C.N.
05/01/2025Brief on the MeritsEvent related to subsequent petition filed in case. Petitioner's Brief on the Merits filed on behalf of R.L.
01/24/2025Response to PetitionRespondent Response to Petition for Review filed on behalf of Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
11/25/2024Petition for Review (Parental Termination)Petitioner Petition for Review filed on behalf of R.L.
11/04/2024Petition for Review (Parental Termination)Petitioner Petition for Review filed on behalf of C.N.    
Case Events
Date▲▼Event Type▲▼Disposition▲▼RemarksDocument
12/10/2024Case forwarded to Court 
12/10/2024Case forwarded to Court 
12/05/2025Supreme Court requests parties to file additonal briefs  Court ordered supplemental briefing due no later than 4:00 p.m., Monday, January 5, 2026.
12/05/2025Record Received (See Remarks) 
12/05/2025Phone call from Clerk's Office  Call made to Seventh Court of Appeals.
12/03/2025Oral argument   Argued on behalf of Petitioner by Michael J. Sharpee; Argued on behalf of Respondent by Cory Scanlon
12/03/2025Oral argument   Argued on behalf of Petitioner by Michael J. Sharpee; Argued on behalf of Respondent by Cory Scanlon
11/26/2024Response Waiver filed  Response Waiver filed on behalf of Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
11/25/2024Petition for Review (Parental Termination)  Petition for Review filed on behalf of R.L.
11/24/2025Amicus Curiae Brief received  Amicus Curiae Brief received on behalf of the Family Freedom Project submitted by Chris L. Branson of The Chris Branson Law Firm PLLC of Houston, Texas.
11/18/2025Oral Argument Submission Form from Attorney received  Oral Argument Submission Form submitted on behalf of C.N. Oral Argument will be presented by Michael J. Sharpee of Sharpee Law Firm, Inc. of Amarillo, Texas.
11/18/2024Response Waiver filed  Response Waiver filed on behalf of R.L.
11/13/2025Oral Argument Submission Form from Attorney received  Oral Argument Submission Form submitted on behalf of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. Oral Argument will be presented by Cory Scanlon of Office of the Attorney General of Texas of Austin, Texas.
11/05/2024Letter Filed  Letter filed on behalf of C.N.
11/05/2024Response Waiver filed  Response Waiver filed on behalf of Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
11/04/2024Petition for Review (Parental Termination)  Petition for Review filed on behalf of C.N.    
10/17/2024Motion for Extension of Time to File Petition for Review disposedFiling granted Motion for Extension of Time to file Petition for Review is granted. Petition for Review is due November 25, 2024.
10/17/2024Motion for Extension of Time to File Petition for Review filed  Unopposed Motion for Extension of Time to file Petition for Review filed on behalf of R.L.
10/17/2024Court reporter/recorder's record 
10/17/2024Supplement to Clerk's/Reporter's Record 
10/17/2024Supplement to Clerk's/Reporter's Record 
10/17/2024Clerk's Record 
09/12/2025Miscellaneous motion disposed. See Remarks.Filing granted Respondent's Unopposed Motion to Set Argument in Different Month granted
09/12/2025Case set for oral argumentCase set for oral argument This cause has been set for oral argument at 9:00 a.m., December 3, 2025. Time allotted to argue: 20/20 minutes
09/12/2025Case set for oral argumentCase set for oral argument This cause has been set for oral argument at 9:00 a.m., December 3, 2025. Time allotted to argue: 20/20 minutes
09/10/2025Miscellaneous Motion  Motion to Set Argument in a Different Month than Sky Marketing Corp. filed on behalf of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
09/05/2025Petition for Review disposedFiling granted The date and time for oral argument are yet to be determined.
09/05/2025Petition for Review granted 
09/05/2025Petition for Review disposedFiling granted The date and time for oral argument are yet to be determined.
09/05/2025Petition for Review granted 
07/21/2025Reply Brief  Reply Brief on the Merits filed on behalf of R.L.
07/17/2026Mandate issued  Mandate & Cost Bill Issued
07/11/2025Motion to Exceed Word Limit disposedFiling granted Motion to Exceed Word Limit is granted.
07/07/2025Motion to Exceed Word Limit  Motion to Exceed Word Limit filed on behalf of C.N.
07/07/2025Brief on the Merits  Petitioner's Reply Brief on the Merits filed on behalf of C.N.
07/07/2025Motion for Extension of Time disposed.Filing granted Motion for Extension of Time to file Petitioner's Reply Brief on the Merits is granted. Reply Brief on the Merits is due July 22, 2025. Further requests for extensions of time for this filing will be disfavored.
07/07/2025Motion for Extension of Time to File Brief filed  Unopposed Motion for Extension of Time to file Petitioner's Reply Brief on the Merits filed on behalf of R.L.
06/20/2025Brief on the Merits  Response Brief on the Merits filed on behalf of Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
06/05/2026Court approved judgment sent to attorneys of recordIssued
06/05/2026Dissenting opinion issued.Issued Justice Bland filed an opinion dissenting in part, in which Justice Lehrmann and Justice Huddle joined.
06/05/2026Concurring Opinion issued.Issued Chief Justice Blacklock filed a concurring opinion.
06/05/2026Opinion issuedIssued
06/05/2026Opinion issuedCourt of Appeals' judgment affirm and reverse in part; remand to court of appeals The Court affirms in part and reverses in part the court of appeals' judgment and remands the case to that court. Justice Hawkins delivered the opinion of the Court, in which Chief Justice Blacklock, Justice Devine, Justice Busby, Justice Young, and Justice Sullivan joined, and in which Justice Lehrmann, Justice Bland, and Justice Huddle joined except as to Part V.
(6/5/2026 12:07:03 PM) 240881d.pdf, 240881c.pdf, 240881.pdf, 24-0881.jmt.pdf
05/16/2025Motion to dismiss disposedFiling granted Motion to Withdraw Motion to Abate is granted.
05/13/2025Miscellaneous Motion  Motion to Lift Abatement filed on behalf of R.L.
05/07/2025Motion for Extension of Time disposed.Filing granted Motion for Extension of Time to file Respondent's Brief on the Merits is granted. Respondent's Brief on the Merits is due June 20, 2025. Petitioners' Reply Briefs are due July 7, 2025. Further requests for extensions of time for this filing will be disfavored.
05/07/2025Motion for Extension of Time to File Brief filed  Unopposed Motion for Extension of Time to file Respondent's Brief on the Merits filed on behalf of Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
05/01/2025Brief on the Merits  Petitioner's Brief on the Merits filed on behalf of C.N.
05/01/2025Brief on the Merits  Petitioner's Brief on the Merits filed on behalf of R.L.
04/30/2025Response to Motion filed  Response in Opposition to R.L.'s Opposed Motion to Abate filed on behalf of Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
04/29/2025Motion to Abate filed  Motion to Abate filed on behalf of R.L.
04/28/2025Notice of Appearance  Notice of Appearance of Counsel filed on behalf of Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.  Mr. Cory Scanlon will serve as lead counsel.
04/28/2025Call received  Call received regarding status of case.
04/22/2025Call received  Call received from counsel regarding motion for extension of time.
04/14/2025Motion for Extension of Time disposed.Filing granted Motion for Extension of Time to file Petitioner's Brief on the Merits is granted. Petitioner's Brief on the Merits is due May 1, 2025. Further requests for extensions of time for this filing will be disfavored. Response Brief is due May 21, 2025. Reply Brief is due June 5, 2025.
04/14/2025Motion for Extension of Time to File Brief filed  Unopposed Motion for Extension of Time to file Petitioner's Brief on the Merits filed on behalf of C.N.
04/04/2025Brief on the Merits Ordered  Brief on the merits requested: Petitioner's brief due no later than April 21, 2025; Response brief due May 1, 2025; Reply brief due May 9, 2025.
04/02/2026Amicus Curiae Brief received  Amicus Brief received from Texas Lawyers for Children.
02/17/2026Amicus Curiae Brief received  Amicus Curiae Brief received on behalf of Institute for the Advancement of Justice & Human Rights submitted by Robert M. O'Boyle of Austin, Texas.
01/31/2025Motion to Exceed Word Limit disposedFiling granted Motion to Exceed Word Limit for Response to Petition for Review is granted.
01/24/2025Motion to Exceed Word Limit  Motion to Exceed Word Limit filed on behalf Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
01/24/2025Response to Petition  Response to Petition for Review filed on behalf of Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
01/10/2025Supreme Court of Texas Requested Response  Requested responses to both petitions for review due no later than January 27, 2025.
01/07/2026Amicus Curiae Brief received  Amicus Curiae Brief received on behalf of the Texas Association of Family Defense Attorneys submitted by Julia Catherine Hatcher of the Law Office Of Julia C. Hatcher of Galveston, Texas.
01/05/2026Amicus Curiae Letter Received  Amicus Curiae Letter received on behalf of Celia M. Wood of the Law Offices of Cecilia M. Wood of Austin, Texas.
01/05/2026Amicus Curiae Brief received  Amicus Curiae Brief received on behalf of the Texas Public Policy Foundation submitted by Robert Henneke of the Texas Public Policy Foundation of Austin, Texas.
01/05/2026Post submission brief filed  Post Submission Brief filed on behalf of C.N.
01/05/2026Post submission brief filed  Post Submission Brief filed on behalf of the Texas Department of Family Services.
01/05/2026Supplemental Brief filed  Supplemental Brief filed on behalf of R.L.
01/02/2026Amicus Curiae Brief received  Supplemental Amicus Brief received on behalf of the Family Freedom Project submitted by Chris L. Branson of the Chris Branson Law Firm PLLC of Houston, Texas.
Calendars
Set Date▲▼Calendar Type▲▼Reason Set▲▼Remarks▲▼
07/17/2026Case StoredCase stored.e-stored
Parties
Party▲▼Party Type▲▼Representative▲▼
Texas Association of Family Defense AttorneysAmicus CuriaeMs. Julia Hatcher
Wood, Cecilia M.Amicus CuriaeMs. Cecilia M. Wood
Family Freedom ProjectAmicus CuriaeMr. Chris Branson
Institute for the Advancement of Justice & Human RightsAmicus CuriaeMr. Robert M. O'Boyle
Texas Public Policy FoundationAmicus CuriaeMr. Andrew Brown
Mr. Chance D. Weldon
Mr. Robert E. Henneke
N., C. PetitionerMr. Michael Sharpee
Texas Department of Family and Protective ServicesRespondentMs. Vicki Kozikoujekian
Atty. Gen. W. Kenneth Paxton Jr.
Mr. Brent Webster
Mr. Aaron Nielson
Ms. Rebecca L. Safavi  
Ms. Glenna Anne Cordray
Mr. Cory Scanlon
L., R. PetitionerJay Michelsen
K.N., K.L., K.L., AND K.L., ChildrenOther interested party Taylor Harris
Texas Lawyers for ChildrenAmicus CuriaeMs. Tiffany Elizabeth Crouch Bartlett
Kristen A. Bell
Ms. Barbara J. Elias-Perciful
Court of Appeals Information:
Affirmed  
719 SW3d 388, 09-19-24 
7th Court of Appeals 
Honorable Brian P. Quinn 
Trial Court Information
223rd District Court 
Gray 
Honorable Phil N. Vanderpool 
40,562