State v. Turner , 2020 Ohio 1548 ( 2020 )


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  • [Cite as State v. Turner, 
    2020-Ohio-1548
    .]
    IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
    TWELFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT OF OHIO
    BROWN COUNTY
    STATE OF OHIO,                                   :
    Appellee,                                 :         CASE NO. CA2019-05-005
    :                OPINION
    - vs -                                                         4/20/2020
    :
    JONATHAN W. TURNER,                              :
    Appellant.                                :
    CRIMINAL APPEAL FROM BROWN COUNTY COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
    Case Nos. CRI2018-2003 and CRI2018-2077
    Zachary A. Corbin, Brown County Prosecuting Attorney, Mary McMullen, 740 Mt. Orab Pike,
    Suite 1, Georgetown, Ohio 45121, for appellee
    Law Office of Eric E. Willison, Eric E. Willison, 4876 Cemetery Road, Hilliard, Ohio 43026,
    for appellant
    PIPER, J.
    {¶1}     Appellant, Jonathan Turner, appeals his convictions in the Brown County Court of
    Common Pleas for multiple counts of rape, gross sexual imposition, and felonious assault.
    {¶2}     Turner lived with his girlfriend ("Mother"), who had four children. Mother
    worked second shift, and Turner watched the children while Mother was at work. Turner
    began sexually abusing one of Mother's children, L.W., who was seven years old at the
    Brown CA2019-05-005
    time. The sexual abuse ended three years later when Turner left the home. After Turner
    moved out of the home, L.W. told Mother and a school guidance counselor about the abuse.
    {¶3}   Mother called 9-1-1 twice to report the abuse, but police did not come to her
    home. Mother then went to the Brown County Sherriff's Office to report the abuse and
    detectives began an investigation. Mother gave the detectives several pairs of the child's
    panties, some of which she found buried beneath a pile of laundry in her home and some
    of which were found under the child's bed in L.W.'s bedroom.
    {¶4}   Mother also took the child to the Mayerson Center for Safe and Healthy
    Children and reported the abuse to the Brown County Department of Job and Family
    Services. Mother further obtained a protection order against Turner.
    {¶5}   The child's panties were tested as part of the police investigation, and 15 pairs
    of the panties testified positive for semen. Turner's DNA was a match for the semen found
    on the panties, and on some pairs, Turner's DNA was mixed with L.W.'s. The police also
    interviewed witnesses. Mother and one of her sons told officers that at different times, they
    had found L.W. locked in her bedroom with Turner, that L.W. would sit on Turner's lap, and
    that L.W. had bled from her vagina before the child began menstruating. The child's
    guidance counselor relayed that the child had been suffering from anxiety, was withdrawn
    and isolated, and began having panic attacks at school; once immediately after a math
    problem that included the name, "Jon." The child also talked of self-harm and cutting herself
    and was ultimately diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder ("PTSD").
    {¶6}   Turner was indicted for four counts of rape, three counts of gross sexual
    imposition, and, in a related case, felonious assault based on L.W.'s PTSD. The cases
    were consolidated, and Turner pled not guilty. A jury trial was scheduled for November 13,
    2018 but not enough potential jurors reported, and the court declared a mistrial. Upon
    agreement of the parties, the trial court rescheduled trial for April 8, 2019.
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    {¶7}   From the time of his arrest, Turner remained incarcerated and unable to post
    bail. Three days before the trial date, Turner filed a motion to dismiss on speedy trial
    grounds. On the first day of trial, the court denied Turner's motion to dismiss and the matter
    proceeded. The jury found Turner guilty on all counts. The trial court sentenced Turner to
    an aggregate sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Turner now appeals
    his convictions, raising the following assignments of error for review.
    {¶8}   Assignment of Error No. 1:
    {¶9}   THE TRIAL COURT ERRED WHEN IT ALLOWED APPELLEE TO REDACT
    ITS POLICE INTERVIEW OF APPELLANT TO EXCLUDE ANSWERS SHOWING
    APPELLANT'S WILLINGNESS TO TAKE A POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION AND THEN
    SHOWED THE INCOMPLETE VIDEO TO THE JURY.
    {¶10} Turner argues in his first assignment of error that the trial court erred in
    allowing the state to redact questions and answers from Turner's videotaped police
    interview related to Turner's willingness to take a polygraph test.
    {¶11} A trial court's decision to admit or exclude evidence will not be reversed by a
    reviewing court absent an abuse of discretion. State v. McLaughlin, 12th Dist. Clinton No.
    CA2019-02-002, 
    2020-Ohio-969
    , ¶ 42. An abuse of discretion implies more than an error
    of law or judgment; it suggests that the trial court acted in an unreasonable, arbitrary, or
    unconscionable manner. State v. Babyak, 12th Dist. Madison No. CA2019-08-025, 2020-
    Ohio-325, ¶ 11.
    {¶12} Evidence regarding polygraph tests is generally excluded unless the
    prosecution and defense jointly stipulate in writing to its admissibility, and the court in its
    sound discretion decides to accept such evidence. State v. Fulton, 12th Dist. Clermont No.
    CA2002-10-085, 
    2003-Ohio-5432
    , ¶ 17. This is true because "such tests have not been
    recognized by the scientific community as being a reliable method for determining the
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    veracity of the examinee." State v. Russell, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 21458, 2008-Ohio-
    774, ¶ 87.
    {¶13} Moreover, "a defendant's professed willingness to submit to a polygraph test
    is inadmissible and testimony concerning it can constitute prejudicial error."       State v.
    Banner, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 94078, 
    2010-Ohio-5592
    , ¶ 22. See also State v. Raypole,
    12th Dist. Fayette No. 80-CA-6, 
    1981 Ohio App. LEXIS 14286
     (July 1, 1981) (affirming trial
    court's decision to exclude a question asking whether the witness had agreed to submit to
    a polygraph examination).
    {¶14} The record indicates that during a police interview, detectives asked Turner
    how and why his DNA was found on the child's panties. Turner tried to explain the presence
    of his DNA and during the discussion, the detectives asked Turner if he was willing to submit
    to a polygraph examination. Turner answered "yes." During trial, the trial court admitted
    the videotaped interview, but reference to the polygraph examination and Turner's
    willingness to take one was redacted.
    {¶15} The law is clear in Ohio that polygraph examinations are generally distrusted,
    and evidence related to their use is exceptionally limited. This is especially true where the
    purported evidence is only a question regarding one's willingness to submit to an
    examination and one's answer regarding that willingness. Had the jury heard the question
    and answer, but were not provided the result of such examination, there is little doubt that
    the jury would have speculated as to the results and why such were not provided during
    trial.
    {¶16} Even if some probative value had been inherent in Turner's willingness to
    submit to a polygraph examination, any value would have been substantially outweighed
    by the prejudicial impact of the results not being admitted and the resulting speculation from
    the jury. See State v. Hamon, 5th Dist. Delaware No. 12 CAA 12 0089, 
    2015-Ohio-887
    , ¶
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    22 (noting that polygraph examination results do "not have the accuracy entitling it to
    admission in evidence. It follows that a refusal or willingness to take a test of which the
    result would have been without value in evidence, likewise has no value for the fact finder").
    {¶17} We find that the trial court did not abuse its discretion by refusing to admit
    evidence of Turner's willingness to take the polygraph exam.             Thus, Turner's first
    assignment of error is overruled.
    {¶18} Assignment of Error No. 2:
    {¶19} THE TRIAL COURT ERRED WHEN IT FAILED TO GRANT THE
    APPELLANT'S MOTION TO DISMISS ON SPEEDY TRIAL ACT GROUNDS.
    {¶20} Turner argues in his second assignment of error that the trial court erred in
    denying his motion to dismiss on speedy trial grounds.
    {¶21} The Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I, Section
    10 of the Ohio Constitution guarantee the right to a speedy trial. The statutory speedy trial
    provisions set forth within R.C. 2945.71 are coextensive with the constitutional speedy trial
    provisions. State v. King, 
    70 Ohio St.3d 158
    , 160 (1994).
    {¶22} According to R.C. 2945.71(C)(2), "[a] person against whom a charge of felony
    is pending * * *[s]hall be brought to trial within two hundred seventy days after the person's
    arrest." R.C. 2945.91(E) further provides, "for purposes of computing time * * * each day
    during which the accused is held in jail in lieu of bail on the pending charge shall be counted
    as three days."
    {¶23} When an appellant raises a violation of a speedy trial issue, an appellate court
    must compute a "try-by date." State v. Watkins, 12th Dist. Warren No. CA2013-02-017,
    
    2014-Ohio-177
    , ¶ 13. The court of appeals must count the days of delay chargeable to
    either side and determine whether the case was tried within the statutory time limits. State
    v. McCaleb, 12th Dist. Warren No. CA2016-12-103, 
    2017-Ohio-6944
    , ¶ 9. R.C. 2945.72(H)
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    extends the time within which the defendant must be brought to trial for the period of any
    continuance granted on the defendant's own motion, and the period of any reasonable
    continuance granted other than upon the defendant's own motion. For example, a trial
    court's crowded docket is a reasonable basis necessitating a continuance under R.C.
    2945.72(H). State v. Noble, 12th Dist. Clinton No. CA2007-03-008, 
    2008-Ohio-355
    , ¶ 11.
    {¶24} According to the record, the original trial commenced on November 13, 2018.
    The parties began voir dire, and soon realized, based on their intention to execute
    challenges to some of the jurors who reported, that there were not enough potential jurors
    to continue. The parties agreed on record that there was not a possibility that a jury could
    be empaneled, and also agreed that the trial court should declare a mistrial.
    {¶25} The parties and trial court then engaged in discussions regarding a retrial
    date. The parties recommended that the trial could take up to five days, and the court
    offered a trial date that was rejected by defense counsel because of that date occurring
    during the spring break of his children. The trial court then suggested a second trial date,
    and the parties agreed to that trial date of April 8, 2019. The court then specifically
    continued the case until the agreed-upon trial date, and noted that such was the first
    available trial date "so there's no speedy trial time." At no point did Turner object or question
    whether the continuance was necessary or reasonable.
    {¶26} The record clearly indicates that the trial court reasonably continued the trial
    given an inability to seat a jury on the initial trial date. The record also clearly indicates that
    the trial court, with express input from the parties, chose the first available trial date based
    on its docket and the need for a five-day jury trial. The reasonableness of the trial court's
    continuance is aided by the fact that the trial court rescheduled Turner's trial immediately
    upon learning of the inability to seat a jury so that the retrial could occur at the first possible
    opportunity.
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    {¶27} After reviewing the record, we find the time between the original trial and
    eventual trial was tolled and Turner was tried within the prescribed timeframe required by
    statute. Thus, Turner's speedy trial rights were not violated, and his second assignment of
    error is overruled.
    {¶28} Assignment of Error No. 3:
    {¶29} THE TRIAL COURT ERRED WHEN IT REPEATEDLY ALLOWED THE
    ADMISSION OF HEARSAY EVIDENCE.
    {¶30} Turner argues in his final assignment of error that the trial court erred in
    admitting hearsay testimony.
    {¶31} As noted above, the admission of evidence rests within the trial court's
    discretion and such decisions will not be reversed absent an abuse of discretion. State v.
    Lark, 12th Dist. Fayette No. CA2018-03-004, 
    2018-Ohio-4940
    . Hearsay is a statement,
    other than one made by the declarant while testifying at the trial or hearing, offered in
    evidence to prove the truth of the matter asserted. Evid.R. 801(C). Hearsay is inadmissible
    unless it falls within one of the enumerated exceptions in the rules or is otherwise excepted.
    State v. Villani, 12th Dist. Butler No. CA2018-04-080, 
    2019-Ohio-1831
    , ¶ 22.
    A. Child's Statement Regarding Abuse
    {¶32} Turner first challenges the admission of the child's statement to Mother
    regarding Turner's abuse. "It is well established that extrajudicial statements made by an
    out-of-court declarant are properly admissible to explain the actions of a witness to whom
    the statement was directed." State v. Thomas, 
    61 Ohio St.2d 223
    , 232 (1980). A statement
    is not hearsay when introduced to show its effect on the listener. State v. Osie, 
    140 Ohio St.3d 131
    , 
    2014-Ohio-2966
    , ¶ 122.
    {¶33} The record indicates that the child made a statement to Mother that Turner
    had sexually abused her. Mother testified that after hearing the child's statement, she called
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    9-1-1 given the child's allegation of abuse and called again when police did not respond.
    Also, based on the child's statement regarding abuse, Mother went to the police station and
    then took the child to the Mayerson Center. Mother would not have taken such actions but
    for the child's disclosure to her. Thus, the hearsay testimony was used to explain Mother's
    actions, not prove that Turner had in fact abused the child.
    {¶34} Moreover, the trial court gave a limiting instruction that the statement could
    only be used to explain why Mother reacted the way she did, but not to prove the truth of
    the matter asserted that Turner abused the child.        Thus, the evidence was properly
    admitted.
    B. 9-1-1 Call
    {¶35} The trial court also admitted a recording of Mother's 9-1-1 call regarding the
    child's statement that Turner sexually abused her.       Testimony offered to explain the
    investigative activities of witnesses, and not offered to prove the truth of the matters
    asserted, is admissible. State v. Skatzes, 
    104 Ohio St.3d 195
    , 
    2004-Ohio-6391
    , ¶ 98.
    {¶36} The record indicates that Mother called 9-1-1 after speaking with the child and
    relayed to the dispatcher what the child told her. Mother was told an officer would respond
    to take her report, but none ever came. As a result, Mother called 9-1-1 again, about an
    hour later, and then went to make an in-person report after speaking with the dispatcher.
    {¶37} The 9-1-1 call was used to show why Mother called twice and why she made
    an in-person report at the police station, as well as how the investigation began based on
    Mother's report. However, the call was not used to prove that Turner abused the child, and
    the trial court gave a limiting instruction indicating as much. Thus, the trial court did not
    abuse its discretion in permitting the evidence.
    C. Statements to Guidance Counselor
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    {¶38} The trial court allowed the child's school guidance counselor to testify to
    statements the child made about the abuse she incurred. Statements made for purposes
    of medical diagnosis or treatment and describing medical history, or past or present
    symptoms, pain, or sensations, or the inception or general character of the cause or external
    source thereof insofar as reasonably pertinent to diagnosis or treatment are admissible as
    a hearsay exception. Evid.R. 803(4). Medical diagnosis includes mental health, not just
    physical symptoms, pain, or sensations so that statements made to mental health care
    providers can be included within the confines of Evid.R. 803(4). In re S.A., 12th Dist. Butler
    Nos. CA2017-07-092 thru CA2017-07-098, 
    2017-Ohio-8792
    , ¶ 41.
    {¶39} In S.A., we considered whether statements made by an abused child to a
    therapist could be admissible pursuant to Evid.R. 803(4) and determined that the
    statements were admissible as an exception to the hearsay rule.            Therein, the child
    discussed traumatic events with her therapist to develop skills to cope with the events and
    move forward. This court noted that the abuse suffered by the child was the type of
    traumatic event underlying the child's depressive symptoms which her therapist hoped to
    improve. As such, we determined that the child made the statements for the purpose of
    receiving treatment for her mental health. The same reasoning applies to the case sub
    judice wherein L.W. discussed her symptoms to seek treatment for her mental health
    issues.
    {¶40} The child's school guidance counselor, who had a bachelor's degree in
    psychology and a master's degree in school counseling, testified that her role as a guidance
    counselor includes "psychological treatment" for students. The counselor also provided
    referrals to other outside sources for the purpose of medical treatment.
    {¶41} The counselor testified that L.W. came to her with anxiety and panic attacks
    while at school. At first, the two discussed ways to cope with anxiety, such as breathing
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    exercises and meditation. The counselor charted L.W.'s "symptoms" over time and noted
    that the child was withdrawing more, was becoming more isolated, and had difficulty making
    eye contact. She also testified that when the child was ten years old, L.W. told her she
    thought she had started her period the night before because her vagina was bleeding.1
    Eventually, after meeting with the counselor over the course of two school years, L.W. told
    the counselor about the sexual abuse.              The counselor testified that she immediately
    contacted children services, and that she told Mother to take the child to the Mayerson
    Center for medical and psychological attention.
    {¶42} After the child's disclosure, the counselor continued to provide mental health
    support to the child, especially when the child suffered panic attacks at school. During
    these times, the child would cry and could not stand up, and would be taken to the
    counselor's office for help. For example, on one occasion, the child was brought to the
    counselor's office after she broke down in math class when the class was working on a
    problem that included the name "Jon." The counselor would then help the child work
    through her panic attack until she was well enough to return to class.
    {¶43} Based on these circumstances, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in
    permitting the counselor's testimony about what the child told her as an exception to the
    hearsay rule. While not all guidance counselors provide medical or psychological support
    to their students, it is clear that L.W.'s guidance counselor was testifying specifically about
    statements the child made to her for purposes of treatment. The child described her
    symptoms and sensations, including mental and physical indications of her anxiety and
    panic, as well as their cause, so that the counselor could help the child or refer her and
    Mother to the proper treatments outside of school. Thus, according to Evid.R. 803(4), the
    1. The child testified that she had not started to menstruate as she first believed, but had began bleeding
    after being vaginally raped by Turner the previous night.
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    child's statements regarding the abuse she incurred was admissible as an exception to the
    hearsay rule.
    {¶44} However, and even if the testimony did not qualify as a statement for purposes
    of medical diagnosis, we would not find the admission of the testimony to be reversible
    error.2 Instead, the testimony was cumulative to other testimony and evidence, including
    the child's own testimony of the abuse, which was subject to cross-examination. Also, there
    was overwhelming evidence of guilt, including DNA evidence demonstrating the sexual
    nature of Turner's abuse of the child.
    D. Mother's Statements to L.W.'s Grandmother
    {¶45} L.W.'s grandmother ("Grandmother") testified that Mother called her and told
    her that the child had disclosed Turner's abuse. A statement relating to a startling event or
    condition made while the declarant was under the stress or excitement caused by the event
    or condition is admissible as an excited utterance exception to the hearsay rule. Evid.R.
    803(2). An out-of-court statement qualifies as an excited utterance if "(1) the statement was
    made in reaction to a startling event; (2) the statement was made under the stress of
    excitement caused by the event; and (3) the statement relates to the event. State v.
    Cooperstein, 12th Dist. Warren No. CA2018-09-117, 
    2019-Ohio-4724
    , ¶ 86.
    {¶46} Mother called Grandmother and told her about Turner's abuse of the child.
    Grandmother testified that Mother was "hysterical," "crying," and "sobbing" during the phone
    call and that Mother could not be understood sometimes during the call. Thus, (1) Mother's
    phone call to Grandmother was made in reaction to the startling event of her daughter
    2. Mental health diagnosis and treatment has not always been included when analyzing Evid.R. 803(4). State
    v. Eastham, 
    39 Ohio St.3d 307
     (1988). In Eastham, Justice Brown determined in a concurring opinion that a
    guidance counselor was not included as a medical provider subject to Evid.R. 803(4) because the counselor
    did not provide treatment or diagnosis of a physical condition. In so deciding, Justice Brown relied on the
    theory that statements made for a "mental health condition * * * are not imbued with the same aura of reliability"
    as those regarding physical conditions. This theory has been expressly rejected since the time of Justice
    Brown's concurrence in Eastham. State v. Muttart, 
    116 Ohio St.3d 5
    , 
    2007-Ohio-5267
    .
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    revealing sexual abuse, (2) Mother's statements were under the stress of learning of the
    abuse because she was hysterical and still very emotional at the time she was talking to
    Grandmother, and (3) the phone conversation related to L.W. disclosing the abuse. The
    record clearly establishes that Grandmother's testimony about Mother's statements was
    properly admitted as an excited utterance.
    E. Mayerson Center Interview
    {¶47} During trial, the state played the recording of the child's interview at the
    Mayerson Center over Turner's objection. Evid.R. 801(D)(1)(b) permits the admission of
    statements made by the declarant prior to trial that are consistent with his or her testimony.
    Evid. R. 801(D)(1)(b) permits the rehabilitation of a witness whose credibility has been
    attacked by means of a charge that she recently fabricated her story by admitting into
    evidence a consistent statement made by the witness prior to the time of the suggested
    invention or of the emergence of the motive to falsify, as tending to rebut the charge.
    {¶48} In order for this exception to apply, the declarant must be subject to cross-
    examination and the statement must be offered to rebut an accusation that the declarant
    lied or was improperly influenced in her testimony. State v. Glossip, 12th Dist. Warren No.
    CA2006-04-040, 
    2007-Ohio-2066
    , ¶ 31. To be admissible, prior consistent statements
    must have been made before the existence of any motive or influence to falsify testimony.
    Id. at ¶ 32.
    {¶49} After L.W. was cross-examined, the state presented the recording of L.W.'s
    forensic interview at the Mayerson Center. The trial court determined that the recording
    was admissible because cross-examination was an implied challenge of fabrication based
    on the questions asked by defense counsel.
    {¶50} We find no abuse of discretion in the trial court's determination. By virtue of
    cross-examination and the questions posed to the child, defense counsel implied that the
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    child fabricated information or was improperly influenced in her testimony. For example,
    during cross-examination, defense counsel suggested through questions that L.W. had
    relayed information that she had actually overheard in "grownup conversations." Defense
    counsel also suggested that blood from L.W.'s vagina was actually from constipation, rather
    than from being vaginally raped. Counsel also asked whether L.W. was "a hundred percent
    accurate" in regard to her telling what the child called the "Something Very Bad Story."
    When the child answered that she had been accurate, counsel referenced "a lot of
    discrepancies * * *." Counsel also asked L.W. whether she realized how serious the
    situation was.
    {¶51} When all of the cross-examination questions are considered in context, the
    record indicates that defense counsel's strategy was to suggest that the child's testimony
    had been influenced or that she was not relaying accurate and consistent information and
    therefore must not be telling the truth. Thus, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in
    determining the recording of L.W.'s interview was admissible as a hearsay exception.
    F. Statements to the Mayerson Center Social Worker
    {¶52} The state presented testimony from a social worker with the Mayerson Center
    who testified about statements the child made to her during a forensic interview. As noted
    above, statements made for the purpose of medical diagnosis are an exception to the
    hearsay rule. Specifically, statements made to a social worker for the purposes of medical
    diagnosis and treatment are an exception to the hearsay rule. State v. Arnold, 
    126 Ohio St.3d 290
    , 
    2010-Ohio-2742
    .
    {¶53} In Arnold, the Ohio Supreme Court differentiated between statements made
    for medical diagnosis and those for investigatory purposes during a forensic interview at a
    treatment center. The court held that the child-victim's statements to the social worker were
    for the purpose of medical diagnosis when the child identified the perpetrator, discussed
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    the type of abuse alleged, gave a time frame of the alleged abuse, and identified the areas
    where the child had been touched.
    {¶54} L.W. gave similar information to the Mayerson Center social worker, who
    testified that she shares information taken from the forensic interview with the medical staff
    at the Mayerson Center to determine what treatment the child needs. Specifically, the social
    worker testified that she consults with the nurses and physicians and receives medical
    recommendations based on what a child-victim tells her.
    {¶55} Regarding L.W., the social worker testified that the child identified Turner as
    her abuser, described several different incidents of inappropriate sexual contact, and that
    the child identified the areas Turner touched her and forced her to touch him. L.W. told the
    social worker that Turner touched her vagina with his hands, put his penis inside her vagina
    and mouth on multiple occasions, and that Turner kissed her mouth and put his mouth on
    her chest. L.W. also referred to Turner's ejaculations as "his sweat" and told her that it was
    "wet, sticky, and gross." The social worker testified that as a result of the child's disclosures,
    the child had a full medical evaluation performed and was given treatment
    recommendations moving forward, including psychological referrals.
    {¶56} The information given the social worker is the same as that discussed in
    Arnold and found admissible by the Ohio Supreme Court. We find the trial court did not
    abuse its discretion in permitting the statements as a hearsay exception for the purposes
    of medical diagnosis and treatment.
    G. Statements Made to Psychotherapist
    {¶57} The child's psychotherapist testified about the statements L.W. made to her
    about the abuse. These statements were made specifically for the purpose of medical
    diagnosis, as the psychotherapist used the statements to diagnose the child with post-
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    traumatic stress disorder and treat her accordingly. Thus, the trial court did not abuse its
    discretion in admitting the testimony.
    H. Cumulative Error
    {¶58} Turner also argues that the cumulative effect of admitting the hearsay
    statements resulted in reversible error. According to the doctrine of cumulative error, a
    reviewing court "will reverse a conviction when the cumulative effect of errors deprives a
    defendant of a fair trial even though each of the instances of trial-court error does not
    individually constitute cause for reversal." State v. Kirkland, 
    140 Ohio St.3d 73
    , 2014-Ohio-
    1966, ¶ 140. Harmless or nonprejudicial errors cannot become prejudicial by sheer number
    of alleged errors alone. State v. Wilson, 12th Dist. Warren No. CA2018-03-022, 2019-Ohio-
    338, ¶ 25.
    {¶59} Despite Turner's multiple assertions that the trial court abused its discretion
    in permitting hearsay evidence, there is no danger of an unfair trial because each of the trial
    court's decisions were correct. As such, cumulative error does not apply, and Turner's final
    assignment of error is overruled.
    {¶60} Judgement affirmed.
    HENDRICKSON, P.J., and M. POWELL, J., concur.
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