in the Interest of E.M., S.M., J.M. and O.M., Children

OPINION

RODRIGUEZ, Justice.

Appellant, father of E.M., S.M., J.M., and O.M., appeals from the district court’s 2 refusal to conduct a hearing de novo on his appeal of an associate judge’s ordeT terminating his parental rights. We affirm.

In January 2000, the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services (TDPRS) initiated a proceeding to terminate appellant’s parental rights to his four children. An associate judge was appointed to conduct the proceeding. See Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 201.001(a) (Vernon Supp. 2001). After hearing the case, the associate judge signed an order involuntarily…