Court Opinion

ID: 9930484
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2024-02-06 22:14:36.970418+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:18:25.262514
License: Public Domain

Filed
                                                                                           Washington State
                                                                                           Court of Appeals
                                                                                            Division Two

                                                                                            February 6, 2024

      IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

                                            DIVISION II
    STATE OF WASHINGTON,                                                No. 57099-8-II

                                   Respondent,

            v.                                                   UNPUBLISHED OPINION

    E.A.

                                   Appellant.

           MAXA, P. J. – EA appeals his juvenile court adjudication of guilty of first degree child

rape. Eight-year-old DE told several adults that his 14-year-old cousin EA had sexually

assaulted him multiple times. However, at the child hearsay hearing DE denied that EA had

sexually assaulted him. After considering the Ryan1 factors, the trial court ruled that DE’s child

hearsay statements to the adults were admissible under RCW 9A.44.120(1). Following a trial in

which several witnesses testified about DE’s hearsay statements, the trial court adjudicated EA

as guilty.

           EA argues that the trial court erred in applying the Ryan factors and in admitting DE’s

child hearsay statements. We hold that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in admitting the

child hearsay statements. Accordingly, we affirm EA’s adjudication of guilt.

1
    State v. Ryan, 103 Wn.2d 165, 175-76, 691 P.2d 197 (1984).
No. 57099-8-II

                                              FACTS

Background

       On September 22, 2021, Jack Chilla was supervising his second grade class as they lined

up for lunch when DE attempted to cut in front of some of the other children. When Chilla told

DE that he needed to return to his place in line, DE told Chilla that he had something to tell him

and then disclosed that EA, DE’s cousin, had been sexually abusing him.

       DE subsequently made additional statements regarding sexual abuse by EA to the

school’s counselor Danielle Rosetta, sexual assault nurse examiner Heather McLeod, and

forensic interviewer Deanna Moomjian-Gjovik.

       Based on these statements, the State charged 14-year-old EA with first degree child rape

in the juvenile court. The State moved to admit DE’s hearsay statements under RCW 9A.44.120,

and the case proceeded to a child hearsay hearing.

DE’s Hearing Testimony

       DE was still eight years old at the time of the June 2022 child hearsay hearing. The

prosecutor initially questioned DE about his ability to tell the truth. She asked DE if he

remembered from a prior visit to the courtroom what the most important chair in the room was.

DE responded that it was “[t]he truth chair” and that it was called that “because that’s where you

tell the truth.” Rep. of Proc. (RP) at 47. DE then correctly identified two statements by the

prosecutor that were lies. And DE testified that it was good to tell the truth and bad to lie.

       The prosecutor then asked DE if he remembered talking to anyone about EA. DE

responded that EA had lived with his family but that EA had to move out “because of the lie I

made up.” RP at 52. DE testified that what he told Chilla was a lie and that EA had not touched

                                                  2
No. 57099-8-II

him inappropriately or asked him to keep anything secret. DE also testified that he got “in big

trouble, because I lied about this.” RP at 55.

Chilla’s Hearing Testimony

       Chilla testified that he was employed as a substitute teacher. He stated that he also had

been a substitute teacher in DE’s first grade class. Chilla stated that he liked DE and that DE

was bright, nice, funny, and very shy.

       On September 22, 2021, Chilla was the substitute teacher for DE’s second grade class.

As the children were lining up for lunch, DE suddenly jumped to the front of the line. The other

children complained about DE cutting in line, so Chilla told DE that he needed to return to his

place. DE responded by telling Chilla to bend down because he had something to tell him.

When Chilla bent down, DE said, “My cousin makes me suck his penis.” RP at 60. Chilla

testified that when DE said this, his demeanor was “matter of fact.” RP at 60.

       Chilla stated that DE would not have been in trouble for cutting in line. The only

consequence was that DE would have been sent back to his original place.

       Chilla stated that he immediately reported DE’s disclosure to the school counselor

Rosetta. Chilla escorted DE to Rosetta’s office. When Chilla told DE to repeat what he had said

to Rosetta, DE repeated it.

Rosetta’s Hearing Testimony

       Rosetta testified that Chilla brought DE to her and told her that she needed to talk to DE

because he had told Chilla something serious. At that point, DE stated “that his cousin makes

him suck his penis.” RP at 67. Because Rosetta was in the midst of something else, she sent DE

back to class with Chilla. But she met with DE one-on-one about 20 minutes later. DE did not

act as if he thought he was in trouble.

                                                 3
No. 57099-8-II

       During Rosetta’s meeting with DE, he told her that EA made him suck his penis, that DE

did not like it, that it was really gross, and that he hoped his cousin would get in trouble. DE also

told Rosetta that his cousin lived in the same house as he did and that his cousin had also

attempted “to put his penis in [my] butt.” RP at 69. DE told Rosetta that he had not disclosed

this to anyone else and that EA had said it was a secret. Rosetta testified that she was concerned

about how anxious DE appeared to be and the intensity with which he was reporting this

information.

       Rosetta ended her conversation with DE and contacted Child Protective Services (CPS).

Officer Britany Stigall then came to the school and met with DE.

       Rosetta testified that this was her first one-on-one contact with DE and that she did not

know him well. But she had never had any experience with DE in which he disclosed something

that was not true. Rosetta denied coaching DE or asking him leading questions during their

conversation.

       Rosetta also testified that after DE’s disclosures but before the hearing, she was in a

parent teacher conference for DE’s brother and DE’s mother would not give her permission to

interact with her children. Rosetta further testified that a short time before the hearing, DE’s

younger brother saw her in the school hallway and he stopped, pointed at her, and said, “I’m not

allowed to talk to you.” RP at 71. Rosetta also testified that at the end of the school year she had

been conducting a lesson in DE’s second grade class and that DE appeared to be upset. At the

end of the lesson, DE raised his hand and said that he was not returning to the school because his

parents did not trust the school.

                                                 4
No. 57099-8-II

Officer Stigall’s Hearing Testimony

         Stigall testified that when she arrived at the school, Rosetta told her about DE’s

allegations. Stigall then talked with DE and asked him about his family and if he felt safe being

at home. DE told her that he had had nightmares about monsters, but he felt safe at home

because he had not had them lately. Stigall did not discuss DE’s disclosures with him. Stigall

had never had any contact with DE before this.

         Stigall testified that she then contacted DE’s mother, told her what was going on, and

asked to speak to her. At DE’s mother’s request, Stigall took DE to his mother’s workplace.

         By the time Stigall and DE got to his mother’s workplace, DE’s little brother already had

arrived on the school bus. Stigall sent the two boys inside so she could speak to their mother

alone.

         Stigall then told DE’s mother about the allegations and explained the investigation

process. Stigall wanted to ensure that DE’s mother had this information so she could keep EA

and DE separate.

         DE’s mother was upset and did not appear to believe DE’s allegations. She told Stigall

that she had been a sexual assault victim, that she knew “what that looks like,” and that she did

not see any signs of abuse in her son. RP at 85. DE’s mother also commented that DE was

never alone with EA, so she was not sure how this could have happened.

         Stigall explained to DE’s mother that children respond to trauma in a variety of ways, so

the fact she did not recognize it did not mean it did not happen. DE’s mother then expressed

concern that DE would be expelled from or be in trouble at school. Stigall reassured her that DE

was not in trouble and told her that all they wanted to do was to find out what had happened and

to keep DE safe.

                                                  5
No. 57099-8-II

       When Stigall advised DE’s mother that CPS would be notified, she became upset. DE’s

mother commented that “where she was from, people don’t take kindly to CPS because they take

people’s children away.” RP at 86. Stigall reassured DE’s mother that it was not their intention

to take DE.

       Initially, DE’s mother also did not want DE to undergo a forensic interview. But Stigall

explained the process and emphasized that this was the best way to figure out what had

happened. Stigall then called the social worker, Colleena Will, and set up the sexual assault

evaluation.

       Stigall also testified about EA’s arrest and EA’s father’s reaction to the arrest. When the

officers arrived to arrest EA, his father, Ron Lindsay, was hostile and told the officers that they

were not taking his child. After they talked with Lindsay for a while and gave him more

information, he delivered EA to Stigall. Stigall testified that Lindsay was present when EA was

interviewed before the arrest and that Lindsay had been very upset with her.

Will’s Hearing Testimony

       Will, the social worker involved in the case, testified that after she received the report of

the abuse allegations, she arrived at DE’s mother’s workplace unannounced. Will had a short

meeting with DE’s mother. Will said that she needed to meet with the children. When DE’s

mother brought DE and his brother out from the back room, they were crying so hard they were

difficult to understand.

       Will testified that she interviewed each child separately. She first talked with DE’s

brother and reassured him that he was not in trouble and that she was not trying to take him from

his mother. After he calmed down, they talked about safety and who he felt safe with. When she

                                                  6
No. 57099-8-II

asked about EA, DE’s brother told Will that EA made DE and himself do inappropriate things

and said that EA made them suck EA’s penis.

        Will then met with DE, whom she did not know before this contact. They discussed his

safety and whether he felt safe at home. They did not discuss the allegations.

        DE told Will that he normally lived with his parents, but his father had just been

deployed. He also stated that he lived with EA, EA’s father Lindsay, and a grandmother.

        Will then spoke with DE’s mother, and they were joined by EA’s mother after a few

minutes. They did not discuss what the boys had told Will, but DE’s mother was adamant that

nothing had happened. DE’s mother stated that she would only believe something had happened

if the boys told her so.

        Will attempted to explain to DE’s mother that there are reasons that victims sometimes

first disclose abuse to people who are not their parents and emphasized that it was important for

a child’s parents to believe them. Will also instructed the mothers not to discuss the case with or

around the children so the interviews would be “clean.” RP at 101.

        During this meeting, the mothers warned Will to be careful because Lindsay would be

upset. Sometime later, Lindsay called Will. He was upset, and he yelled, screamed, and swore

at Will. He accused her of lying about EA. And he threatened to have his children make up lies

about Will and her conduct during the investigation.

        When Will attended the forensic interviews, the families were present and they were

loud, upset, and yelling. To avoid creating more conflict, Will remained in the back. The

families were so upset that Will feared for her safety.

                                                 7
No. 57099-8-II

McLeod’s Hearing Testimony

       McLeod is a sexual assault nurse examiner. She saw DE as a patient in September 2021

shortly after he had disclosed the sexual abuse.

       McLeod testified that when she conducted her examinations, she would ask non-leading

questions and that she avoided coaching children for answers. She also testified that children

often delay disclosure or do not disclose sexual abuse for many reasons, including shame,

embarrassment, concern that they will not be believed, concern that they will be blamed for what

happened, fear related to family dynamics, and pressure to protect an offender or others.

       McLeod testified that DE had Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and

that he took medication for this condition. During her examination of DE, he reported that EA

had made him suck his penis and had put his penis “up his butt.” RP at 156. DE reported this

had happened multiple times in multiple places inside the home and that he did not like it. DE

also reported that EA told him to keep it a secret and that EA would give him Kool-Aid or

snacks if he would comply with EA’s requests. DE described how it felt when EA put his penis

in his butt. DE also told McLeod that EA had asked him to suck on his scrotum.

       DE stated that he initially did not want to engage in these activities and that he did not

like it. But DE eventually thought that he and EA were friends, and EA told him that friends do

this when someone asks them to.

       Well into the examination, DE told McLeod that he was telling the truth but nobody

believed him. McLeod told DE that she believed him. McLeod testified that if someone came to

her for medical care, she would “start from a place of believing them” until she saw something

inconsistent that raised a concern,” and she did not see any reason to be concerned about DE’s

veracity during this visit. RP at 164.

                                                   8
No. 57099-8-II

       McLeod also asked DE if he was aware of EA abusing anyone else, and DE said that EA

had forced DE’s brother to suck on EA’s penis. DE stated that when this happened, his brother

wanted to tell, but EA told him that if he told he would not get Kool-Aid and would not be able

to be in the room they were in. DE also told McLeod that his mother had said that EA also had

molested his own sister. McLeod did not interview EA’s sister.

       McLeod also examined DE’s brother. DE’s brother did not disclose sexual abuse by EA.

But DE’s brother told McLeod that DE “was in trouble with their uncle” and that DE had “gotten

him into this mess.” RP at 163. DE’s brother stated that EA had said this was a secret, but DE

had told.

Moomjian-Gjovik’s Hearing Testimony

       Moomjian-Gjovik testified about her forensic interview of DE, which occurred on

September 28. The video of the interview was entered into evidence for purposes of the hearing,

and the trial court reviewed portions of the tape.

       During this interview, DE stated that he was in second grade but that he could not “go to

school anymore, because of something [indiscernible] at school.” RP at 123 (alteration in

original). When Moomjian-Gjovik asked for clarification, DE responded, “Somebody is fishy

and stuff.” RP at 123. Moomjian-Gjovik replied, “Stuff is getting fishy, is that what you said?”

And DE responded, “Yes. That means something mysterious.” RP at 123.

       Moomjian-Gjovik then asked DE what was mysterious about what was happening at

school. DE responded that it was about what he had said and that he would be attending a

different school. Moomjian-Gjovik asked DE what he had said, and DE stated that he had said

that EA had put his penis in DE’s butt and mouth.

                                                     9
No. 57099-8-II

         Moomjian-Gjovik then asked DE where the sexual contact had happened. DE responded

that it had occurred in the room EA and Lindsay shared. Moomjian-Gjovik then asked DE to tell

her about the first time EA put his penis in DE’s mouth. DE could not remember when the first

incident occurred, but he stated that it happened in an upstairs bathroom when he, his brother,

and EA were playing hide and seek. DE also stated that it usually happened in EA’s and

Lindsay’s room.

         Moomjian-Gjovik asked DE when EA stopped asking him to suck on his penis, and DE

responded that it did not stop. DE stated that he did not want to do it, but EA said he would give

DE Kool-Aid. DE said that he wanted the Kool-Aid and that EA would also let him have a

snack.

         EA told DE that it was a secret. DE also described how it felt and said that it happened

“like a 100 or a lot of times.” RP at 140.

         Moomjian-Gjovik also asked DE to tell her more about when EA put his penis in his butt

and what it felt like. DE responded that EA did not do that often and that he did not remember

the first time, but it happened in Lindsay’s room. DE also described what it felt like and said

that he had asked EA to stop but he did not listen.

         When Moomjian-Gjovik asked DE about who lived in his house, DE responded that his

mother and father did and then stated that his father was in the Army but was returning “because

I stopped him from [his] work.” RP at 130. Moomjian-Gjovik asked DE to clarify how he

stopped his father’s work and who told him this. DE responded that his mother had told him and

that his father was returning because of the case.

                                                 10
No. 57099-8-II

DE’s Father’s Hearing Testimony

           DE’s father testified that he had witnessed DE making up stories. But he further testified

that DE was eight years old and that he did not know any child that age who did not make up

stories.

           DE’s father also testified that DE responded differently to getting into trouble depending

on the situation. But he stated that DE “tend[ed] to redirect his statements towards something

else.” RP at 170. DE would also attempt “to lie his way out of things to not get into trouble, but

he [wasn’t] very good at it.” RP at 170. If DE was caught lying, they would impose more

punishment.

           DE’s father also testified that EA had been living in the same house with DE since 2018.

Before this event, DE’s father had not seen any indication of abuse between EA and DE. He

stated that the two children were very different. DE was interested in playing and was extremely

active, but EA liked video games and rarely left his room.

           DE’s father denied telling DE what to say or what not to say regarding his allegations and

stated that they had only asked DE “to hold himself accountable and to be truthful.” RP at 172.

DE’s father had no concern about letting DE and EA be together in the future.

           DE’s father also testified that DE had never disclosed any abuse to him and that he would

have reported it if DE had done so. He stated that there was zero tolerance for sexual violence in

their home. And he testified that sexual abuse had occurred in his wife’s family, that his wife

was a victim, and that they did not want it to happen to their children.

DE’s Mother’s Hearing Testimony

           DE’s mother described DE as hyper. She testified that they had problems with him

“try[ing] to lie to [them] a lot of the times, but [they] have been working on that.” RP at 179.

                                                   11
No. 57099-8-II

She stated that DE was just hyper and very imaginative and that he sometimes overused his

imagination.

       DE’s mother also stated that DE frequently got in trouble and that if he got caught, he

would “usually tr[y] to lie his way out of it.” RP at 181. But she stated that if he got caught

lying “he takes his discipline, whether it be grounding or losing one of his favorite toys, with

grace.” RP at 181.

       DE’s mother testified that when she learned about DE’s disclosures, she was shocked and

could not understand how it happened because EA and DE were never alone together. She also

testified that DE told his father that he had lied about his accusations. But DE had never told her

why he had lied. DE’s mother denied coaching DE.

       DE’s mother also testified that Lindsay was her brother. She stated that Lindsay had to

quit his job to support EA after DE made his accusations. She also testified that after DE made

his disclosures, EA had to live with his mother. When EA moved, his sister moved into DE’s

residence.

       DE’s mother denied telling DE that he had stopped his father from working. She stated

that although she had told DE that his father was coming home, she did not tell him why. But

she commented that DE probably could have figured out the reason by himself.

       DE’s mother also denied telling her boys that CPS was going to take them away as a

result of DE’s disclosures, that “something fishy” was going on at the school, that she mistrusted

school staff, or that they could not talk to school staff or to CPS. RP at 190. But she admitted

that she was concerned that CPS would remove her children as a result of the allegations. And

she further admitted that she would “break a rule” to keep her children from being taken away

because she believed that she would be protecting them. RP at 193.

                                                 12
No. 57099-8-II

Trial Court’s Ruling

       After hearing argument, the trial court stated that the court “in [t]his proceeding is,

according to the statute, trying to decide whether or not there was sufficient [indicia] of

reliability for a child under the age of 10 describing a sex act that was performed.” RP at 202-

03. It then addressed the Ryan factors, which are intended to assist the courts in determining the

admissibility of child hearsay statements.

       Based on Ryan factors 1 through 5, the trial court concluded that DE’s hearsay statements

were admissible. The court made no findings related to factors 6 through 9.

       The trial court then issued written findings of fact and conclusions of law regarding the

child hearsay statements. As it did in its oral ruling, the court found that Ryan factors 1 through

5 weighed in favor of admitting the hearsay statement. And it did not address factors 6 through 9

other than to acknowledge in factor 7 that DE was available for cross-examination.

       The trial court concluded that DE’s statements to Chilla, Rosetta, Will, McLeod, and

Moomjian-Gjovik were admissible. The court also concluded that the admitted portions of the

forensic interview also were admissible at trial under RCW 9A.44.120.

Bench Trial

       During the bench trial, DE again denied that EA had sexually abused him. DE also

testified that he had gotten in trouble because his allegations were a lie. He further testified that

he had lied about EA because his uncle and grandmother had been fighting because his

grandmother was stealing things and accusing the other family members of doing so.

       Chilla, Rosetta, Stigall, Will, McLeod, and Moomjian-Gjovik testified consistently with

their testimonies at the child hearsay hearing. The trial court also admitted the video of

Moomjian-Gjovik’s forensic interview, which it had watched during the child hearsay hearing.

                                                  13
No. 57099-8-II

        EA’s only witness was EA. EA denied sexually assaulting DE. But he admitted that he

would occasionally be left alone with DE and DE’s brother when their parents ran short errands.

        The juvenile court adjudicated EA guilty of first degree child rape. EA appeals the

adjudication of guilt.

                                              ANALYSIS

        EA argues that the trial court erred when it ruled that DE’s hearsay statements were

admissible under RCW 9A.44.120(1). We disagree.

A.      LEGAL PRINCIPLES

        RCW 9A.44.120(1) states that the otherwise inadmissible hearsay statements of a child

witness under the age of 10 are admissible in a criminal case when (1) the statements describe

sexual or physical abuse of the child; (2) the court finds that the time, content, and circumstances

of the statements provide sufficient indicia of reliability; and (3) either the child testifies at the

proceedings or the child’s statements are supported with corroborative evidence of the act. State

v. Kennealy, 151 Wn. App. 861, 880, 214 P.3d 200 (2009).

        In determining whether the child witness’s statements are reliable, the trial court

considers nine factors known as the Ryan factors. Kennealy, 151 Wn. App. at 880. These

factors are

        (1) whether there is an apparent motive to lie, (2) the general character of the
        declarant, (3) whether more than one person heard the statement, (4) the spontaneity
        of the statements, (5) the timing of the declaration and the relationship between the
        declarant and the witness, (6) whether the statement contained express assertions
        of past fact, (7) whether the declarant’s lack of knowledge could be established
        through cross-examination, (8) the remoteness of the possibility of the declarant’s
        recollection being faulty, and (9) whether the surrounding circumstances suggested
        the declarant misrepresented the defendant’s involvement.

Id. (footnote omitted). For the child hearsay statements to be admissible, the trial court must find

that these factors are substantially met, but all nine factors need not be satisfied. Id. at 881. And

                                                   14
No. 57099-8-II

“[n]o single Ryan factor is decisive and the reliability assessment is based on an overall

evaluation of the factors.” Id. at 881.

       Because the trial court has the opportunity to see and to evaluate the child and the other

witnesses, it is in the best position to determine the reliability of child hearsay statements. State

v. Pham, 75 Wn. App. 626, 631, 879 P.2d 321 (1994). As a result, “[t]he trial court is

necessarily vested with considerable discretion in evaluating the indicia of reliability.” State v.

C.J., 148 Wn.2d 672, 686, 63 P.3d 765 (2003).

       Accordingly, we review a trial court’s decision to admit child hearsay statements for an

abuse of discretion. Kennealy, 151 Wn. App. at 879. “A trial court abuses its discretion when its

evidentiary ruling is manifestly unreasonable or is based on untenable grounds or reasons.” Id.

However, “[w]e may uphold a trial court’s evidentiary ruling on the grounds the trial court used

or on other proper grounds that the record supports.” Id. When the trial court errs by

misapplying the Ryan factors, the appellate court may affirm the admissibility of child hearsay

statements “when the reliability of the statements at issue is apparent from the record.” State v.

Stevens, 58 Wn. App. 478, 487, 794 P.2d 38 (1990).

       We review a challenge to a trial court’s findings of fact to determine if substantial

evidence supports them. State v. Homan, 181 Wn.2d 102, 105-06, 330 P.3d 182 (2014).

Substantial evidence is evidence that is sufficient to persuade a fair-minded person of the truth of

the premise stated. Id. at 106. The party challenging the finding of fact bears the burden of

demonstrating that the finding is not supported by substantial evidence. State v. Smith, 185 Wn.

App. 945, 957, 344 P.3d 1244 (2015). We review challenges to the court’s conclusions of law de

novo. Homan, 181 Wn.2d at 106.

                                                 15
No. 57099-8-II

B.      FINDING OF FACT 5

        EA argues that the trial court’s finding of fact 5 shows that the court erroneously believed

that the child’s credibility is part of the Ryan analysis. We disagree.

        Finding of fact 5 stated, “The Court considered whether there was a sufficient indicium

of reliability to determine whether a child under the age of 10 describing a sex act that was

performed.” Clerk’s Papers (CP) at 38.

        RCW 9A.44.120(1) provides that under certain circumstances hearsay statements made

by a child under 10 years old that describe acts of sexual contact performed on or with the child

by another are admissible if the court finds “that the time, content, and circumstances of the

statement provide sufficient indicia of reliability.” Finding of fact 5 appears to be an attempt to

reflect the trial court’s opening statement during its oral ruling in which it acknowledged RCW

9A.44.120(1). In its oral ruling, the court stated, “So the Court, in [t]his proceeding is, according

to the statute, trying to decide whether or not there was sufficient [indicia] of reliability for a

child under the age of 10 describing a sex act that was performed.” RP 202-03.

        Although the written finding may have been poorly drafted, we conclude that finding of

fact 5 demonstrates only that the trial court was considering the requirements of RCW

9A.44.120(1), not that the court misunderstood the Ryan analysis.

C.      APPLICATION OF RYAN FACTORS

        EA argues that the trial court erred in applying the Ryan factors, and that a proper

application leads to the conclusion that DE’s hearsay statements were not admissible under RCW

9A.44.120(1). We disagree.

                                                  16
No. 57099-8-II

       1.     Factor 1: Apparent Motive to Lie

       The trial court addressed the first Ryan factor, whether EA had an apparent motive to lie,

in finding of fact 6.a. Finding 6.a stated,

       i.       There is not a strong motive to lie by D.E.
       ii.      Avoiding a punishment for cutting in line and making up an allegation of a
                sex offense is disproportionate, even in a child’s mind, for trying to escape
                whatever punishment might come from cutting in line.
       iii.     Therefore, the Court does not find a strong motive to lie.
       iv.      This factor weighs in favor of admission of D.E.’s statements.

CP at 38.

       EA argues that finding of fact 6.a shows that the trial court applied the wrong legal

standard because factor 1 does not (1) require a strong motive to lie before the court can find that

this factor weighs against admission of the child hearsay statements, or (2) require the court to

assess whether the statement is a proportionate reaction.

       EA is correct that factor 1 does not require a “strong” motive to lie. This factor requires

that the trial court consider only whether the declarant had an apparent motive to lie. Keneally,

151 Wn. App. at 880. But the remainder of finding 6.a shows that this error was irrelevant to the

court’s determination that factor 1 weighed in favor of the admission of DE’s hearsay statements.

       In finding 6.a.ii the trial court concluded that the accusation of abuse was so

disproportionate to the potential punishment for attempting to cut in line – DE having to return to

his place in line – that it was not reasonable to conclude that DE made the statement for the

purpose of avoiding punishment. The trial court can consider the reasonableness of the potential

motive when examining this factor and whether a response is proportionate or disproportionate is

relevant to reasonableness. See State v. Leavitt, 111 Wn.2d 66, 74, 758 P.2d 982 (1988)

(although testimony suggested the child had a motive to lie, this potential motive was not

persuasive because it was not reasonable).

                                                 17
No. 57099-8-II

       The avoidance of punishment certainly can provide a motive to lie. See Ryan, 103 Wn.2d

at 168, 176 (the desire to avoid punishment for having candy was a motive to lie). But the trial

court’s determination that under the facts of this case lying about sexual abuse would be an

unreasonable response to being chastised for cutting in line was within the court’s discretion.

       We conclude that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in applying factor 1 despite

misstating the factor.

       2.    Factor 2: General Character of the Declarant

       The trial court addressed the second Ryan factor, DE’s general character, in finding of

fact 6.b. Finding 6.b stated,

       i.      D.E. testified in front of the court, was very hard to understand, and was
               difficult to follow.
       ii.     D.E. suffers from ADHD for which he is medicated. Despite that
               medication D.E. was still very difficult to follow at times.
       iii.    However, he was able to explain through questioning to the Court that it
               was wrong to tell lie[s], what the difference was between a falsehood, or a
               non-falsehood, or a lie or a truth, and understood that it was wrong to tell a
               lie.
       iv.     D.E. was able to recall simple matters with some detail, not good at times,
               which is not surprising based on his age which makes it difficult to discern
               time.
       v.      D.E. was able to discern certain events that were important to him, certain
               toys that were important, and when approximately he received those toys.
       vi.     The Court does find that the declarant’s general character was one that was
               of a competent nature to testify and no inherent deceitful nature that was
               testified to other than normal behavior by someone of D.E.’s age[.]
       vii.    D.E.’s character was not one that causes concern that his disclosures were
               inherently unreliable.
       vii[i]. This factor weighs in favor of admission of D.E.’s statements.

CP at 38-39 (emphasis added).

       EA argues that findings 6.b.vi and 6.b.vii demonstrate that the trial court applied an

incorrect standard because this factor did not require the court to find that the child had an

inherently deceitful nature or that the child’s character was one that causes concern that the

                                                 18
No. 57099-8-II

disclosures were inherently unreliable. And he asserts that these standards required levels of

untrustworthiness that were too high. He argues that the court should have assessed only DE’s

general reputation and character for truthfulness.

       The second Ryan factor is the declarant’s general character. Kennealy, 151 Wn. App. at

880. “When assessing a child’s general character, [the courts] look to whether the child has a

reputation for truthfulness.” Id. at 881. A reputation is “the estimation in which one is generally

held: the character commonly imputed to one as distinct from real or inherent character.”

WEBSTER’S THIRD NEW INTERNATIONAL DICTIONARY 1929 (2002). Because one’s reputation

can be distinct from one’s inherent nature, the trial court’s reference to DE’s “inherent” nature in

finding 6.b.vi and “inherently” unreliable in finding 6.b.vii was incorrect.

       But the record shows that DE did not have a reputation for untruthfulness at school. And

it also shows that although DE may have told some lies at home, his father testified that his

behavior at home was similar to that of other children of the same age. These facts are sufficient

to support the conclusion that DE’s reputation for truthfulness was not such that it made his

disclosures unreliable.

       EA also argues that it was error for the trial court to evaluate DE’s testimonial

competence in finding 6.b.vi. EA contends that a child witness’s testimonial competency is a

separate determination that is not relevant to any of the Ryan factors.

       In C.J., the Supreme Court held that testimonial competency is not a prerequisite to

admissibility of child hearsay under RCW 9A.44.120. 148 Wn.2d at 683-84. The trial court’s

discussion of DE’s testimonial competence is irrelevant to factor 2. But the inclusion of this

extraneous analysis is irrelevant.

                                                 19
No. 57099-8-II

       Although the trial court erred in one aspect of its analysis of factor 2, we conclude that

this factor either weighs in favor of admissibility or is neutral. But as noted above, no one factor

is determinative. Kennealy, 151 Wn. App. at 880.

       3.     Factor 3: Whether More Than One Person Heard the Statement

       The trial court addressed the third Ryan factor, whether more than one person heard the

statement, in finding of fact 6.c. CP 39. Finding 6.c stated:

       i.       No one person at one time heard the statements that were testified to. However,
                there were a number of individuals that heard the same disclosure that were
                very similar in nature, [i]f not somewhat identical. These statements were
                testified to by the original substitute teacher, the school counselor, the sexual
                assault evaluation nurse, and during the forensic interview.
       ii.      Multiple individuals heard very similar, even though not the exact same
                disclosure, that were only different in time, being made.
       iii.     This factor weighs in favor of admitting D.E.’s statements.

CP at 39.

       EA argues that DE’s statements to Rosetta and the later adults do not denote reliability

because they were the result of DE being told to repeat what he told Chilla. But DE did more

than repeat what he said to Chilla. Each time DE talked about the abuse he provided the same

information and he elaborated on this information and provide additional information. This

demonstrates that DE was not just telling the later adult what he had originally said to Chilla.

And when a child tells similar stories to several individuals over time, “the hearsay statement is

more reliable.” Kennealy, 151 Wn. App. at 883.

       We conclude that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in applying factor 3.

       4.       Factor 4: Spontaneity

       The trial court addressed Ryan factor 4, whether the statements were spontaneous, in

finding of fact 6.d. Finding 6.d stated:

       i.       The original disclosures by D.E. appear to have been made spontaneously,
                jarringly so.

                                                   20
No. 57099-8-II

       ii.     The Court finds it difficult to connect how the instruction to get in line, or get
               back in line, would result in a disclosure of this nature. However, that is what
               D.E. testified to and the Court finds that is what the facts reflect show, that the
               disclosure was spontaneous in nature.
       iii.    Additionally, the video of forensic interview, and the discussion of going to
               school, and the testimony from D.E. that he would not be going to that school
               anymore, because of his disclosures, was spontaneous. There was no coaching,
               or leading questions, which broached the subject of the disclosures until the
               child broached those disclosures. This finding was focused only on the
               disclosures that were made by D.E.
       iv.     This factor weighs in favor of admitting the statements that D.E. made.

CP at 39-40.

       EA argues that DE’s original statement to Chilla was not spontaneous because,

considered in context, it is clear that DE was making the statement as a way of deflecting

attention away from himself and not, as the court found, as a spontaneous disclosure. But as the

trial court found when addressing factors 1 and 4, DE’s disclosure of sexual abuse was so

entirely unrelated to his behavior or the potential consequences of his behavior, that the

argument that DE made the allegations to deflect attention away from his transgression is not

reasonable.

       EA also argues that DE’s responses to Moomjian-Gjovik’s questions were not

spontaneous because her questions were leading. “[S]tatements made in response to questioning

are spontaneous so long as the questions are not leading or suggestive.” Kennealy, 151 Wn. App.

at 883. Moomjian-Gjovik’s questions when she interviewed DE were open ended and did not

suggest that DE should respond with a statement about sexual conduct.

       We conclude that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in applying factor 4.

       5.      Factor 5: Timing of Statements and Relationship Between Declarant and Witness

       The trial court addressed Ryan factor 5, the timing of the statements and the relationship

between the declarant and the witness, in finding of fact 6.e. Finding 6.e stated:

                                                  21
No. 57099-8-II

       i.      D.E. was unable to put any type of book-end on the timing that was involved.
               However, D.E. did testify that all of the related parties were living together at
               the time.
       ii.     D.E. was subject to cross-examination and did not affirm, and did disavow, the
               statements that were made, and there are likely reasons for that. However, this
               Court does find that the trier of fact should have that information when it is
               making its determination regarding whether or not these incidents did occur,
               beyond a reasonable doubt.

CP at 40.

       EA argues that the trial court erred as a matter of law because it addressed whether the

accusations matched the charging period rather than whether DE’s relationship to those he

disclosed to and found that the circumstances established trustworthiness.

       The trial court’s finding regarding timing is vague and does not really address when the

disclosure was made in relation to when the sexual abuse occurred. Factor 5 also requires the

trial court to “consider when the child’s statement was made to a hearsay witness and what the

witness’s relationship is to the child.” Kennealy, 151 Wn. App. at 884. The trial court’s findings

on this factor did not address DE’s relationship with those he made the disclosures too. And

finding 6.e.ii has nothing to do with this factor. Accordingly, EA is correct that this finding is

erroneous in that is does not really analyze factor 5.

       But we can determine, based on this record, that this factor weighs in favor of

admissibility of the child hearsay statements. Kennealy, 151 Wn. App. at 879; Stevens, 58 Wn.

App. at 487. DE’s disclosures to Chilla and Rosetta were stated in the present tense, suggesting

that the abuse was ongoing at the time of the disclosures. And when Moomjian-Gjovik asked

DE when EA stopped asking him to suck on his penis, DE responded that it did not stop.

Therefore, the timing of the disclosures weighs in favor of admissibility.

       Regarding the relationship between DE and the witnesses, the record shows that DE

made three of the disclosures to school officials and a nurse. Even though Chilla, Rosetta, and

                                                  22
No. 57099-8-II

McLeod did not know DE well, they still were authority figures in positions of trust in relation to

DE. And when the witness to whom the child made his or her disclosures is in a position of trust

with the child, “this factor is likely to enhance the reliability of the child’s statement.” Kennealy,

151 Wn. App. at 884.

         Accordingly, although the trial court’s findings on this factor were not correct, the

evidence demonstrates that factor 5 weighs in favor of admissibility.

         6.   Factors 8 and 9: Possibility of Faulty Recollection and Surrounding Circumstances

         Other than a finding that DE was available for cross-examination, the trial court made no

findings regarding factors 6 through 9.2 EA challenges the lack of findings for factor 8, whether

the possibility of DE’s recollection being faulty is remote, and factor 9, whether the

circumstances surrounding the statements give no reason to suppose that the declarant

misrepresented the defendant’s involvement. EA argues that the trial court’s failure to address

factors 8 and 9 was error because these factors were crucial in this case and they clearly were

unmet.

         Factors 8 and 9 are already addressed in factors 4 and 5 and “are not very helpful in

assessing the reliability of child hearsay statements in most sexual abuse cases.” State v.

Henderson, 48 Wn. App. 543, 551 n. 5, 740 P.2d 329 (1987). Also, it is not necessary that every

factor be satisfied; a court properly exercises its discretion if the factors are “substantially met.”

State v. Swan, 114 Wn.2d 613, 652, 790 P.2d 610 (1990).

2
  EA does not argue that the trial court erred in making no findings regarding factor 6, whether
the statements contained express assertion of past facts, or factor 7, whether the cross-
examination could not help to show the declarant’s lack of knowledge.

                                                  23
No. 57099-8-II

       Factors 1 through 5 support the trial court’s conclusion that DE’s hearsay statements

were admissible. Accordingly, we conclude that the trial court did not err in declining to make

findings regarding factors 8 and 9.

       7.   Effect of DE’s Recantation

       EA argues that the fact DE recanted demonstrates that his statements were unreliable and

therefore inadmissible. He emphasizes that DE’s hearsay statements were untrustworthy when

he could state that he was sexually abused and then turn around and deny that abuse occurred.

We disagree.

       A recantation does not automatically render child hearsay evidence inadmissible. See

State v. Clark, 139 Wn.2d 152, 153, 985 P.2d 377 (1999); State v. Young, 62 Wn. App. 895, 900,

802 P.2d 829, 817 P.2d 412 (1991); State v. Madison, 53 Wn. App. 754, 759, 770 P.2d 662

(1989). Instead, as with any recantation, the trial court can “weigh the credibility of a

recantation against the evidence that a statement is reliable.” State v. Young, 160 Wn.2d 799,

808, 161 P.3d 967 (2012).

       Here, DE’s recantation came nine months after his original disclosures. And it is

reasonable, given DE’s family’s strong, emotional reactions to the disclosures, that DE was

under considerable pressure to recant. Accordingly, the trial court did not abuse its discretion

when it admitted the hearsay evidence despite DE’s recantation. See Madison, 53 Wn. App. at

759.

       8.   Summary

       We acknowledge that some of the trial court’s findings were erroneous or could have

been stated differently. But for the child hearsay statements to be admissible, the trial court must

find only that the Ryan factors are substantially met. Kennealy, 151 Wn. App. at 881. And the

                                                 24
No. 57099-8-II

standard of review is abuse of discretion. Id. at 879. We hold that an analysis of the Ryan

factors establishes that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in ruling that DE’s hearsay

statements were admissible.

                                           CONCLUSION

        We affirm EA’s adjudication of guilt.

        A majority of the panel having determined that this opinion will not be printed in the

Washington Appellate Reports, but will be filed for public record in accordance with RCW

2.06.040, it is so ordered.

                                                       MAXA, P.J.

 We concur:

 LEE, J.

 VELJACIC, J.

                                                  25