Democratic congressional candidate Katy Padilla Stout is drawing attention in Texas’ 23rd District for her legal representation of a father seeking to restore his parental rights. The father, identified only as J.A. in court filings, had his parental rights terminated after a trial court concluded that he endangered his two children.
Case Background
According to appellate records, a Child Protective Services (CPS) investigation began after a November 7, 2022, complaint that a child, L.A., was heard crying and was allegedly slapped by the father. CPS alleged the slap caused bruising, swelling and redness that required emergency medical evaluation. The father’s court‑ordered family‑service plan also raised concerns about excessive alcohol consumption while caring for the children and alleged domestic disturbances involving intoxication and illegal substances.
The father spent nine of the 13 months of the termination proceeding incarcerated, including a sexual‑assault charge that sent him back to jail in March 2025. He told a conservatorship worker that the alleged incident occurred while he was drunk and that he did not remember it. The trial court, after an April 2025 bench trial, terminated his parental rights, finding clear and convincing evidence that he knowingly placed the children in conditions that endangered their physical or emotional well‑being.
Padilla Stout’s Appeal
Padilla Stout, an attorney and former public‑school teacher, entered the appeal on the father’s behalf. She challenged both the legal sufficiency and the factual basis of the termination. The Fourth Court of Appeals rejected her arguments in a 2‑1 decision, affirming the termination. The majority opinion stated, “Thus, the evidence is legally sufficient to support this finding.”
Justice Lori Massey Brissette dissented, arguing that the majority failed to apply the heightened scrutiny required in parental‑termination cases. She noted that the alleged slap rested on an uncorroborated second‑hand account without an EMS report or child interview, and that the domestic‑violence allegations lacked supporting evidence. Brissette also highlighted the father’s progress on his service plan and would have sent the case back to the trial court for a conservatorship decision.
Political Context
Padilla Stout is running for the U.S. House of Representatives in the 23rd District, facing Republican nominee Brandon Herrera and independent Ben Mendoza in the November 3 general election. Her campaign website emphasizes her roots as a lifelong Texan, a wife, mother, attorney and former teacher, and her commitment to serving families and communities.
The case underscores the broader debate over parental‑rights protections, child‑welfare investigations, and the role of elected officials in shaping family‑law policy. While the appeal was unsuccessful, Padilla Stout’s involvement highlights her willingness to take on contentious legal battles as part of her broader platform.
Response from the Campaign
The Dallas Express reached out to Padilla Stout’s campaign for comment on her representation of the father and the circumstances surrounding the case. No response had been received at the time of publication.
Original reporting: The Dallas Express — read the source article.
