Opinion ID: 6928543
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Statements to CPS caseworker

Text: In admitting the girls’ statements to the CPS caseworker, the trial court found indicia of reliability because (1) more than one person was present when the statements were made; (2) some responses were spontaneous; (3) neither girl had a motive to lie and they had relationships of trust with the adults. It noted that leading questions had been asked of B.A. but concluded that direct questions are sometimes appropriate for difficult child witnesses and that the girl’s answers were consistent with her other spontaneous statements. The district court agreed with these findings. Although we are troubled by the use of leading questions, 9 this does not necessarily render B.A.’s responses untrustworthy. See United States v. George, 960 F.2d 97, 100 n. 2 (9th Cir.1992); Myers, supra, § 4.5 at 229-39. The consistency of the girl’s statements with her earlier statements is the critical reliability factor here. We conclude that it provided a particularized guarantee of trustworthiness.