Opinion ID: 2382311
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: hearsay testimony of the social worker

Text: Appellant argues that the trial court erred in permitting hearsay testimony from a social worker, Charlotte Trent, about L.T.'s explanation for her initial denial of the sexual abuse. We disagree. During L.T.'s testimony, she stated that Trent had spoken with her in 1992 about any possible abuse. L.T. testified that at that time she told Trent that Appellant was not sexually abusing her. Subsequently, Appellant called Trent as his first witness, who reiterated the contents of her 1992 report. On cross-examination, Trent further stated that she spoke with L.T. again after Appellant's arrest. Appellant objected and moved to exclude any conversations between Trent and L.T. after Appellant's arrest. Following a hearing in chambers, the court concluded that Appellant's emphasis on L.T.'s prior inconsistent statement made the explanation given to Trent relevant. Thus, finding that Appellant had opened the door, the court permitted Trent to testify that L.T. told her she had lied in 1992 because Trent was a stranger and L.T. did not want to wreck her mother's life. L.T. also told Trent that she did not divulge the abuse out of fear that Appellant would kill her mother and brother. Appellant contends that Trent's testimony as to L.T.'s statements was inadmissible hearsay. Appellant correctly notes that no exception to the rule against hearsay exempts social workers or the results of their investigations. Souder v. Commonwealth, Ky., 719 S.W.2d 730, 734 (1986). However, we are unaware of a rule which would exclude evidence otherwise admissible simply because the witness is a social worker. In Cabinet for Human Resources v. E.S., Ky., 730 S.W.2d 929 (1987), we held that factual observations, as distinguished from opinions and conclusions, expressed in a social worker's report were admissible under the business records exception to the hearsay rule. This exception encompasses Trent's testimony as well, because she only testified as to a factual observation, L.T.'s explanation, which was given to her. At no point did Trent testify as to whether she believed L.T. either in 1992 or after Appellant's arrest. Finally, Appellant cannot demonstrate that he was prejudiced by Trent's testimony. When L.T. testified, she admitted to lying to Trent in 1992, and provided an explanation as to why she did so. Therefore, Trent's testimony, which Appellant argues should not have been admissible, was merely cumulative of the testimony L.T. had previously given. Cavins v. Commonwealth, Ky., 639 S.W.2d 766 (1982). No reversible error occurred.