There are seven grounds for termination of parental rights because of abandonment.

The following factors can affect which, if any, of the grounds for abandonment might apply:

  •   The place where a child is left

  •   How long a parent is gone

  •   What the parent said (or did not say) when leaving the child

  •   Whether the mother is pregnant when a father leaves

  •   Whether the parent provides for the child during the time the child is left.

A specific abandonment ground is applicable in the case of a child left safely at a designated emergency infant care provider (that is, a Baby Moses case).

The constructive abandonment referenced in §161.001External Link(b)(1)(N) does not refer to a parent physically leaving a child behind, but rather to the failure of a parent of a child in foster care to:

  •   stay in contact with the child; and

  •   take steps to provide the child with a safe environment.

Texas Family Code §161.001External Link(b)(1)(A),(B),(C),(G),(H),(N),(S)