Candidate case surfaces

Katy Padilla Stout, the Democratic nominee in Texas' 23rd District, represented a father appealing the termination of his parental rights.

Campaign biography cited

Her campaign presents her as a lifelong Texan, mother, attorney, former teacher, and advocate for children and families in the district.

“My life has been defined by a firm commitment to serving the children, families, and communities”

Court role identified

Court records list Padilla Stout as attorney for J.A., father of two children. The docket does not say whether she was appointed or privately retained.

CPS complaint began case

The case began after a 2022 complaint that a child was crying, two slaps were heard, and the father was the only other person in the room.

Abuse concerns detailed

State officials alleged the father slapped the child hard enough to cause bruising, swelling, and redness near the eye, requiring EMS evaluation.

Alcohol concerns grew

The service plan cited worries that the father drank excessively while caring for the children, putting them at risk of injury or death.

“putting them in imminent danger of injury or death”

Jail time weighed heavily

The appellate opinion said the father was incarcerated for nine of the 13 months in the termination case. A sexual assault charge sent him back to jail before trial.

Termination was affirmed

After an April 2025 bench trial, the court terminated his parental rights. The Fourth Court of Appeals rejected the appeal in a 2-1 decision.

“the evidence is legally sufficient to support this finding”

Dissent saw gaps

Justice Lori Massey Brissette dissented, saying key claims lacked support and the case deserved another look on conservatorship. The Texas Supreme Court denied review.