Opinion ID: 2023556
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Testimony of A.E.'s Parents.

Text: At trial, defendant's counsel also objected to the testimony of A.E.'s parents relating the statements A.E. initially made to them describing the abuse. This court has held that the erroneous admission of hearsay is presumed to be prejudicial unless the contrary is established affirmatively. State v. Rice, 543 N.W.2d 884, 887 (Iowa 1996). However, we will not find prejudice if the admitted hearsay is merely cumulative. See State v. McGuire, 572 N.W.2d 545, 547 (Iowa 1997). All of the information contained in A.E.'s parents' testimony was repeated either by the social workers or in the testimony of A.E. herself. Therefore, we find that the testimony of A.E.'s parents was merely cumulative and therefore not prejudicial. Our disposition of this issue makes it unnecessary to determine whether A.E.'s parents' statements were admissible under rule 801(d)(1)(B).