Saying Goodbye: Judge Garcia retires after more than 30 years of service
Spotlight: Judge Richard Garcia
The Honorable Judge Richard Garcia, associate judge for the 225th District Court here in Bexar County, ended his 33-year legal career at the Bexar County Children’s Court. He officially retired on April 30, 2021.
Judge Garcia received his Doctor of Juris from St. Mary’s University in 1979. After practicing law in the public sector for several years, he returned to public service as the Assistant District Attorney for Child Protective Services handling Child Abuse and Neglect cases in July 1988.
In February 1990, The Honorable Judge Richard Garcia was unanimously approved by the Bexar County District Judges and appointed as an Associate Judge, to handle Family law matters. In 2005, Judge Garcia was assigned to serve in the Bexar County Children’s Court. A position he considers both a calling and a privilege as he strived to bring justice to the most innocent of victims – the children.
His impact on the child welfare system will not soon be forgotten. Everyone that has had the privilege to work in his courtroom will miss his dedication, compassion, incredible humor and contagious smile. During his tenure he has sworn in hundreds of CASA Volunteers. His wisdom and words always seemed to inspire Volunteers to best advocate for the children. “His passion and calling shined through every word he spoke. There wasn’t one swearing in that he didn’t almost make me cry.” said Leticia Hernandez, VP of Recruitment and Training.
“Judge Garcia has always had a tremendous amount of respect for CASA, CASA recommendations and our overall mission.” said Dennis Ramsey, tenured CASA supervisor, “Even when our recommendations didn’t align, he was respectful and professional.” To Judge Garcia, every case that went through his court, was treated as if these were his own children, and that is exactly how he referred to them, “his kids”.
"He valued the information that CASA Volunteers were able to bring forth on their CASA court reports and he was always looking to see that his kids were thriving" recalls Allison Martinez, VP of Programs. Judge Garcia was constantly pushing everyone around him to seek the best for his kids. He was constantly asking the tough questions and ensuring that he had the most up to date information on his cases. He truly valued the information and insight that our Volunteers would bring to him through their court reports.
Today we pay tribute to his dedication, commitment, and professionalism. "We can only hope and pray that the next Judge to preside in Children's Court will show the empathy and love for the foster children we serve that was embodied in every decision Judge Garcia made "states Angela White, CASA CEO & President. The impacts he has made during his tenure are countless and his legacy will continue to influence everyone that works in the child welfare system.
In December 2024, CPS received a referral reporting that Demitri and Maria were living under a bridge along with their three children, Santiago, Mary, and Jose. The Department sought removal of the siblings due to numerous concerns including substance use by all members of the family unit, unsanitary living conditions, malnourishment, and other safety risks. It was later discovered that the children had a significant gap in their education and medical care, and that the two oldest children had juvenile justice involvement. The parents also had an extensive history with CPS. A few months after removal, CASA Advocates, Alejandro Trevino and Lauren Wise, were appointed to the case, quickly becoming a consistent and trusted presence in the lives of the Santiago (16), Mary (15), and Jose (13). During their first meeting, the siblings expressed a deep desire to stay together and eventually reunite with their parents, emphasizing that they had always been together as a family. Unfortunately, shortly after that initial encounter, Santiago and Mary were placed in a Residential Treatment Center (RTC) located hours away from Jose. Multiple placement changes followed, creating ongoing instability that further complicated their healing process. From the beginning, the CASA Advocates have worked tirelessly to ensure that the children’s services remain uninterrupted despite the frequent transitions. They continue to collaborate with CPS, the children’s attorney ad litem, and various placements to ensure the siblings’ voices are heard and their best interests prioritized. Alejandro and Lauren attend every staffing, court hearing, service plan meeting, and Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE) meeting while always advocating for stability, connection, and permanency. Understanding the critical importance of sibling relationships, the advocates made it their mission to preserve the children’s bond. They arranged for regular sibling contact, both virtually and in-person, overcoming logistical challenges caused by distance and restrictive placement protocols. At one point, Alejandro and Lauren personally facilitated a sibling visit, traveling a total of 638 miles to ensure the children could spend the time together. It was a powerful act of care, giving the siblings a moment of normalcy and joy in an otherwise turbulent time. For nearly the entirety of the case, the children have been separated from one another and far from their hometown. In the face of prolonged separation, instability, and emotional distress, Alejandro and Lauren’s efforts have played a key role in preserving the siblings’ emotional connection and sense of family. Because of their unwavering commitment, the siblings are now living in the same city again and are showing improvement in their academics and health. While the future remains uncertain and family reunification is still unclear, the advocates continue to hold hope that the siblings can at least be reunited with one another and return to San Antonio. This story is a powerful reminder that even in the face of tremendous challenges, the love between siblings and the dedication of caring advocates can foster hope, healing, and the promise of a brighter future.
Deborah Hom
