                                                                           FILED
                                                                       Feb 14 2020, 6:16 am

                                                                           CLERK
                                                                       Indiana Supreme Court
                                                                          Court of Appeals
                                                                            and Tax Court




ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT                                     ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE
Gregory L. Fumarolo                                        Curtis T. Hill, Jr.
Fort Wayne, Indiana                                        Attorney General of Indiana

                                                           Matthew B. MacKenzie
                                                           Deputy Attorney General
                                                           Indianapolis, Indiana


                                            IN THE
    COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA

Cody E. Reynolds,                                          February 14, 2020
Appellant-Defendant,                                       Court of Appeals Case No.
                                                           19A-CR-880
        v.                                                 Appeal from the Allen Superior
                                                           Court
State of Indiana,                                          The Honorable David M. Zent,
Appellee-Plaintiff.                                        Judge
                                                           Trial Court Cause No.
                                                           02D05-1710-F6-1115



Darden, Senior Judge.




Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-880 | February 14, 2020                           Page 1 of 33
                                          Statement of the Case
[1]   A jury found Cody E. Reynolds (“Cody”) guilty of child molestation, a Level 4
                 1                                                           2
      felony; and vicarious sexual gratification, a Level 6 felony. Cody appeals the

      trial court’s judgment of conviction for both offenses, and his sentence for child

      molestation. We affirm.


                                                      Issues
[2]   Cody raises four issues, which we restate as:


                 I.       Whether the trial court erred in denying Cody’s challenges
                          for cause of two jurors.


                 II.      Whether the trial court erred in admitting into evidence a
                          video recording of the child victim’s forensic interview
                          along with the child victim’s trial testimony and live
                          testimony by the interviewer.


                 III.     Whether the evidence is sufficient to sustain Cody’s
                          convictions.


                 IV.      Whether Cody’s sentence for child molestation is
                          inappropriate in light of the nature of the offense and the
                          character of the offender.




      1
          Ind. Code § 35-42-4-3 (2015).
      2
          Ind. Code § 35-42-4-5 (2014).


      Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-880 | February 14, 2020              Page 2 of 33
                                Facts and Procedural History
[3]   Cody and Tricia Reynolds (“Tricia”) married in 2014. Tricia had two

      daughters, H.W. and I.W., from a previous relationship. Cody and Tricia

      subsequently had a daughter together, R.R. At all times relevant to this case,

      primarily in the year 2017, H.W. was eight-going-on-nine years old, I.W. was

      seven years old, and R.R. was two-going-on-three years old. Tricia worked in a

      restaurant at night. Cody was employed during the day, and he watched all

      three girls when Tricia was at work and H.W. and I.W. were not at their

      father’s house. H.W., Tricia, and Detective Lorrie Freiburger, a trained child

      forensic interviewer, all testified at Cody’s trial.


[4]   On one occasion in the spring of 2017, when Tricia came home from work, she

      found Cody in the living room asleep on the couch, with his shorts down

      around his ankles and a pillow covering the area of his groin. The girls were

      asleep in their rooms.


[5]   According to the testimony of H.W., during this period of time, on one

      occasion when Tricia was at work, and the other girls were in their rooms, she

      related that she and Cody were together in the living room watching television.

      At some point, Cody pulled his pants down to his ankles, sat on the couch, and

      openly masturbated in H.W.’s presence. H.W. further testified that Cody

      squirted some lotion on his hand and rubbed “up and down” on his “private

      part.” Tr. Vol. 3, p. 54. She looked away and was “kind of scared.” Id. at 52.

      Cody told H.W. not to tell Tricia what he had done.


      Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-880 | February 14, 2020   Page 3 of 33
[6]   H.W. later testified that Cody masturbated in front of her approximately twenty

      different times. Almost every time he masturbated in her presence, he would

      put some lotion from a particular bottle on his private part. Cody kept the

      bottle of lotion in a closet that the girls were not allowed to go into without

      Tricia or Cody’s permission. On one specific occasion, when Cody was

      masturbating in H.W.’s presence, he ran out of lotion and ordered her to “spit

      on his hand.” Id. at 54. She obeyed him, and he continued to masturbate.


[7]   Cody also taught H.W. a “game” he called “the five finger challenge.” Id. at

      59. The “game” required one person to close their eyes and feel another

      person’s hands to determine how many fingers the other person was holding

      up. During one incident, Cody told H.W. to close her eyes and reach toward

      his hands. H.W. felt what she thought was six fingers, but when she opened

      her eyes, she saw that she was feeling Cody’s fingers and his “private part.” Id.

      at 62. She described his “private part” as being “slimy.” Id. at 63. Afterwards,

      H.W. went to her room.


[8]   H.W. was disturbed and believed that Cody was doing something “wrong”

      because he had told her not to tell Tricia what he was doing. Id. at 69. As a

      result, she “looked it up” on a website and learned “that [what he was doing]

      wasn’t okay.” Id. On Thursday, August 3, 2017, while Cody was taking a

      shower, H.W. told Tricia what Cody had been doing with her. Tricia took the

      evening off from work, gathered the girls, and went to her aunt’s house. Tricia

      told her aunt what H.W. had told her.



      Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-880 | February 14, 2020      Page 4 of 33
[9]    The next day, on Friday, it was R.R.’s birthday. Tricia and other family

       members had previously scheduled a surprise party for R.R. at a restaurant.

       Tricia took the girls to the party. She had not told Cody about the party, but he

       heard about it from another source and attended. After the party, Tricia called

       H.W.’s father and told him what had occurred. Tricia then went to her own

       father’s house, put the girls to bed, and called the police.

                                      3
[10]   Officer David Colon arrived at Tricia’s father’s house around 1 a.m., and

       Tricia met him outside. She explained to him what H.W. had told her. Officer

       Colon prepared a report and called the Indiana Department of Child Services

       (“DCS”). A DCS employee called Tricia later that morning/day. Tricia and

       the DCS employee created a safety plan for the children, and scheduled an

       appointment for a forensic interview the following Monday.


[11]   In the meantime, Tricia had previously planned a family camping trip for that

       weekend. She took the girls on the trip without Cody. Tricia did not want to

       cancel the trip because she was concerned that H.W. would think she was being

       punished for disclosing what Cody had done to her. During the trip, H.W. also

       revealed to Tricia that Cody had tricked her into feeling his penis during what

       Cody called the “finger game,” and explained to Tricia how the game was

       played. Tr. Vol. 3, p. 18.




       3
           By the time Colon testified at trial, he had been promoted to detective.


       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-880 | February 14, 2020           Page 5 of 33
[12]   On Monday, August 7, Tricia took H.W. to the Dr. Bill Lewis Center for

       Children (“the Center”) for a forensic interview. Freiburger spoke with H.W.

       while a DCS case manager, another detective, a prosecutor, and a

       representative of the prosecutor’s victim’s assistance office watched live video of

       the interview from another room. Freiburger wore a receiver in her ear so that

       the people remotely watching the interview could send her additional questions

       via a microphone. Tricia remained in the Center’s reception area and did not

       participate in or observe the interview. A video camera was set up in the

       interview room.


[13]   At the beginning of the interview, Freiburger disclosed to H.W. that she had a

       receiver in her ear and that their conversation was being video recorded. She

       then asked H.W. what had happened. H.W. told Freiburger that Cody had

       “masturbated” or “jerk[ed] off” in her presence. State’s Ex. 4, at 5:41, 5:51.

       H.W. used the phrase “down there” to describe Cody’s private parts. Tr. Vol.

       3, p. 67. Next, Freiburger showed her a drawing of a nude man and asked her

       to point to what she meant by “down there.” Id. H.W. pointed at the man’s

       genitals, and Freiburger circled them.


[14]   H.W. also told Freiburger that Cody had masturbated in her presence about

       “twenty” times. State’s Ex. 4, at 7:00. She moved her hand up and down to

       demonstrate how Cody masturbated. H.W. said that on one occasion she saw

       a “clear” liquid come out of Cody’s private part, and he cleaned it up with a

       napkin. Tr. Vol. 3, p. 58; State’s Ex. 4, at 11:00. She also described and

       demonstrated the finger game to Freiburger. H.W. further told Freiburger that

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-880 | February 14, 2020     Page 6 of 33
       Cody had her play the game and, when she opened her eyes, she saw that she

       was feeling his private part. In addition, H.W. drew a picture of Cody’s bottle

       of lotion.


[15]   After the interview, the interview team met with Tricia to establish a plan to

       protect the girls. Next, a DCS case manager went to the location where Tricia

       and the girls were staying to ensure that the girls were safe and that their needs

       were being met.


[16]   H.W. was subsequently diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. Tricia

       explained that H.W. was having trouble sleeping and was waking up due to

       nightmares. Even a hug could provoke feelings of anxiety in her. H.W. was

       displaying hostility, anger, irritability, and fear, which was damaging her

       relationships with her family. She was going to therapy every other week and

       seeing a life skills coach six times per month.


[17]   On October 2, 2017, the State charged Cody with vicarious sexual gratification,

       a Level 6 felony. On September 5, 2018, the State filed a notice indicating it

       intended to use the statements of a protected person at trial. Specifically, the

       State intended to introduce into evidence statements H.W. made to Freiburger

       during the forensic interview. The trial court held an evidentiary hearing on

       September 28, 2018, during which Freiburger testified, and the recording of the

       interview was played. On October 1, 2018, the trial court issued an order

       stating:




       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-880 | February 14, 2020      Page 7 of 33
               l.   The witness, H.W., is a protected person under the statute
               and was present for the hearing and available for cross
               examination.


               2.    The Statement given by H.W. to Lorrie Freiburger
               concerns the charges filed against [Cody].


               3.    The Forensic Interviewer asked open-ended, non-leading
               questions which were age-appropriate.


               4.     The Statement, as contained in State’s Exhibit 1 [the
               recording of the interview] would be admissible in the trial of this
               cause as it is probative and relevant. The witness, H.W., was
               reserved but open to the questions and oftentimes she corrected
               the Interviewer. H.W. volunteered information and provided
               detailed descriptions.


               The Court finds the statements to the Forensic Interviewer to be
               sufficiently reliable to be admitted into evidence.


       Appellant’s App. Vol. II, pp. 53-54.


[18]   On October 9, 2018, the State filed a motion to amend the charging information

       to add a second count, child molesting as a Level 4 felony. The trial court

       granted the motion after a hearing.


[19]   The trial judge presided over a jury trial on February 12 and 13, 2019. H.W.

       and other witnesses, including Freiburger, testified for the State. In addition,

       the trial court admitted into evidence the video recording of H.W.’s forensic

       interview with Freiburger. The jury found Cody guilty as charged. At the end

       of the trial, the trial court issued a judgment of conviction on the jury’s verdict.

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-880 | February 14, 2020       Page 8 of 33
[20]   On March 22, 2019, the trial court imposed an aggregate sentence of thirteen

       years and 183 days, with two years and 183 days suspended to probation. This

       appeal followed.


                                       Discussion and Decision
                         I. Challenges for Cause of Potential Jurors
[21]   Cody argues the trial court erred in denying his challenges for cause of multiple

       potential jurors, claiming he had demonstrated that they were biased against

       him. The State responds that only two of the challenged potential jurors were

       ultimately seated in the jury, and they both demonstrated they could be fair and

       impartial.


[22]   The purpose of the jury selection process is to ascertain whether prospective

       jurors can render an impartial verdict based on the law and the evidence.

       Gibson v. State, 43 N.E.3d 231, 238 (Ind. 2015). Parties may ask questions of

       prospective jurors “to discover prejudice and eliminate bias.” Skaggs v. State,

       438 N.E.2d 301, 304 (Ind. Ct. App. 1982).


[23]   Indiana Jury Rule 18 establishes that parties may use peremptory challenges for
                                                                                        4
       any reason to remove potential jurors from the jury pool. In addition, the




       4
         A peremptory challenge occurs when a party strikes a potential juror other than for cause. Such challenges
       are intended “to eliminate extremes of partiality and to assure the parties that jurors will decide the issues on
       the basis of the evidence before them.” Phillips v. State, 496 N.E.2d 87, 88 (Ind. 1986). A peremptory
       challenge is exercised “without reason stated, without inquiry, and without being subject to the [trial] court’s
       control.” Id. In felony cases where the State seeks neither the death penalty nor life without parole, each
       party is entitled to ten peremptory challenges. Ind. Jury Rule 18(a)(2).

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-880 | February 14, 2020                                 Page 9 of 33
       Sixth Amendment requires that “biased jurors be removed for cause.” Whiting

       v. State, 969 N.E.2d 24, 29 (Ind. 2012). However, there are no limits on the

       number of challenges for cause, but each challenge must be supported by

       specified causes or reasons that demonstrate that, as a matter of law, the

       potential juror is not qualified to serve. Id. (quotation omitted).


[24]   The Indiana Supreme Court has further stated:


               [T]he trial judge has the inherent authority and responsibility to
               dismiss biased jurors for cause, either sua sponte or upon
               counsel’s motion, and is afforded broad discretion in making
               these decisions; and on appeal, we afford substantial deference to
               the trial judge’s decision respecting a challenge for cause and will
               find error only if the decision is illogical or arbitrary.


       Id. As we conduct our review, we keep in mind that the trial court is in the best

       position to “assess the demeanor of prospective jurors as they answer the

       questions posed by counsel.” Smith v. State, 730 N.E.2d 705, 708 (Ind. 2000).


[25]   In Cody’s case, the trial court and counsel went through three rounds of

       questioning to select the twelve-person jury and two alternates. Here,

       defendant’s argument and challenge appears to focus on the third round, at

       which point the trial judge needed only four more jurors to complete the jury

       selection process. During the third round, the prosecutor asked the potential

       jurors what they thought about the State putting children on the witness stand.




       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-880 | February 14, 2020      Page 10 of 33
                                                                           5
Several potential jurors, including numbers 133 and 72, indicated they

understood that testimony by child witnesses was sometimes necessary. Cody,

by counsel, engaged in the following colloquy with the potential jurors:


        Q:      Good afternoon. Um, I was listening to some of the
        answers and I used to ask this beforehand but I didn’t today. But
        I’m gonna ask you now. Um, it’s not a popularity contest. If
        you like [the prosecutors] better than me, well I can live with
        that. But don’t vote in favor or against my client because I was a
        little aggressive in my questioning of someone. You can hate
        me, it doesn’t - I mean no one likes to be hated, but I can live
        with it because I’m doing my job. And if you don’t like my style
        don’t hold it against my client, is that fair enough? Number [94]?

        JUROR 94: Yes, I think that’s fair. But I - I just don’t want it to
        be an overly aggressive examination of the child. Uh, that’s my
        only qualm about the whole situation.

        Q:       And I don’t like people who lie.

        JUROR 94: I’m sorry?

        Q:       And I don’t like people who lie.

        JUROR 94: It’s a child who is under oath.

        Q:     And I – I - well it happens. I’m just saying, you know, we
        have to take our job seriously, and I do. I’m not saying that no
        one else does, but, I like to get to the meat of the issues. And if it
        offends you, is that gonna affect your being able to be impartial I
        guess?

        JUROR 133:                 Uh, I would say yeah.




5
  The potential jurors each received jury numbers, apparently based on their questionnaires. During the jury
selection process, the parties addressed the jurors based on their seat number in the jury box, but the
transcript identifies them by their juror numbers. We refer to potential jurors using their juror numbers.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-880 | February 14, 2020                           Page 11 of 33
        Q:       Okay. How about you?

        JUROR 94: I do believe that if you took an overly aggressive
        cross examination of a child witness I would - I would view that
        unfavorably in your case. Now, an adult is a different story.

        Q:       Okay, that - but that’s fair. Anybody else? Number [72]?

        JUROR 72: I actually agree with number [94].

        Q:       Okay.

        JUROR 62: Umhuh (affirmative response), me too.

        Q:       Number [62], okay. Number [140]?

        JUROR 140: I agree with 3.

        Q:       Okay, number [8]? I didn’t mean to cross over you.

        JUROR 8: Um, well, uh, if - if you weren’t to exercise your due
        diligence in handling that situation I might think less of you.
        But, um, I would do my best to remain impartial as to, uh,
        assessing the evidence.

        Q:       Do you think it could affect you though?

        JUROR 8:          Do I think it could affect me?

        Q:       Affect your impartiality?

        JUROR 8:          Um, my hope would be no.

        Q:       Yeah, but hope is not a yes or no?

        JUROR 8: Some people are too certain of their own
        knowledge.

        Q:       Well I understand that. I’m not trying to argue with you.

        JUROR 8:          I understand.


Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-880 | February 14, 2020     Page 12 of 33
        Q:       We’re just looking for fair and impartial jurors.

        JUROR 8:          No, I’m enjoying this too.

        Q:       Okay, I’m glad you are but can you be fair and impartial?

        JUROR 8:          Yeah, I believe so.

        Q:      You believe or - yes or no. I mean, again, you might even
        - if you’re selected you might hear either the State or me say
        Judge could you please direct the witness to just answer the
        question with a yes or a no.

        JUROR 8:          Oh, yeah. No, that’s fair.

        Q:       Okay, so yes or no, can you be fair and impartial?

        JUROR 8:          Yes.

        Q:       Okay. Number [32]?

        JUROR 32: Yes.

        Q:       Okay, um, number [140], sorry.

        JUROR 140:                 Yeah, I think I can be fair and impartial.

        Q:       Okay. How about -

        JUROR 140:                 I’m a teacher.

        Q:       [137]?

        JUROR 137:                 Yes.

        Q:       Okay, [43]?

        JUROR 43: Yes.

        Q:       Number [53]?



Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-880 | February 14, 2020            Page 13 of 33
               JUROR 53: Yes.

       Tr. Vol. 2, pp. 203-06.


[26]   After Cody finished questioning the potential jurors, the parties approached the

       bench to discuss challenges for cause. Cody strenuously objected and

       challenged for cause the potential jurors in seats one through eight, including

       potential jurors 72 and 133, claiming they had all agreed that they could not be

       fair if Cody was “overly aggressive” during witness questioning. Id. at 213. He

       repeatedly indicated that no one knows how those potential jurors define

       “aggressiveness.” Id. After further discussion, the trial court struck potential

       juror 94 but denied Cody’s request to strike the others, stating, “I’m not gonna

       strike seven (7) people for cause because of the civility issue.” Id. at 214. Cody

       had already exhausted his peremptory challenges. After the bench conference

       concluded, the trial court notified four remaining potential jurors that they had

       been selected for the jury, concluding the selection process.


[27]   Cody claims the trial court committed reversible error and should have struck

       for cause all of the potential jurors he identified. The State notes, without

       contradiction, that potential jurors 72 and 133 were the only potential jurors

       Cody specifically challenged in round three that were ultimately seated on the

       jury. Cody does not explain in his briefs how he was harmed by the trial court’s

       refusal to strike the other potential jurors that were not seated on the jury, so we

       will restrict our analysis to potential jurors 72 and 133.




       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-880 | February 14, 2020     Page 14 of 33
[28]   Cody argued in the trial court, and argues on appeal, that it was “illogical and

       arbitrary” for the trial court to grant his challenge as to potential juror 94 but

       not the remaining jurors, because they all demonstrated they had the same bias.

       Appellant’s Br. p. 29. We disagree. To begin with, Cody expressed concern to

       the trial court that the potential jurors had not explained what they meant by

       “aggressiveness,” but he had begun his third round of questions by using the

       word “aggressive” without himself providing an explanation of that term or

       requesting a definition from the trial court. He thus invited any confusion

       concerning the usage of the term.


[29]   Next, the record does not definitively demonstrate that potential juror 72

       displayed bias against Cody. Potential juror 72’s response could be construed

       as agreeing with potential juror 94 that it was “fair” to not hold any dislike of

       Cody’s trial counsel against Cody himself, but expressing a “qualm” about

       “overly aggressive” questioning of a child witness and viewing it “unfavorably.”

       Tr. Vol. 2, pp. 203-04. Further, potential juror 72 had earlier acknowledged it

       was his or her understanding that sometimes it was necessary to have a child

       testify in a trial. Those equivocal responsive statements do not amount to proof

       of bias against Cody. At best, they appear to indicate potential concern for

       Cody’s trial counsel’s litigation style, as noted by the trial judge. See Oswalt v.

       State, 19 N.E.3d 241, 250 (Ind. 2014) (affirming denial of challenge of potential

       juror for cause; potential juror expressed “discomfort” at trying child

       molestation case, but discomfort did not amount to bias or prejudice).




       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-880 | February 14, 2020       Page 15 of 33
[30]   Next, Cody’s counsel asked potential juror 133 whether that person’s

       impartiality would be affected if that person was offended by counsel’s

       preference to “get to the meat of the issues.” Potential juror 133 responded, “I

       would say yeah.” Tr. Vol. 2, p. 204. Thus, the juror provided an equivocal

       answer to a vague question. Cody’s counsel did not define what he meant by

       addressing “the meat of the issues,” and his question about impartiality was

       conditioned on whether the juror would be “offend[ed].” Id. The question was

       so unclear that potential juror 133 reasonably could have concluded that

       counsel was again asking whether the juror would dislike counsel, rather than

       whether he or she would be biased against Cody, if counsel questioned

       witnesses aggressively. We further note that potential juror 133 had also earlier

       indicated he or she understood that sometimes it was necessary for children to

       testify at trial. Under these circumstances, we should rely on the trial judge,

       who was in the best position to assess potential juror 133’s demeanor and

       reactions to counsel’s questions.


[31]   In any event, the transcript of counsel’s cross-examination of H.W. and the

       State’s other witnesses reveals what appears to be normal cross-examination,

       and counsel did not object to the trial court at any point during the trial that he

       was limited or hampered in any manner during questioning. Cody has failed to

       demonstrate an abuse of discretion. See Oswalt, 19 N.E.3d at 251 (deferring to

       trial court’s ability to assess demeanor of potential juror).




       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-880 | February 14, 2020      Page 16 of 33
            II. Admissibility of Forensic Interview and Interviewer’s
                                    Testimony
[32]   Cody asserts that the trial court erred in admitting into evidence both the

       recording of Freiburger’s forensic interview with H.W. and Freiburger’s

       testimony about the interview, claiming the trial court violated the Indiana
                                                                                                           6
       Supreme Court’s decision in Tyler v. State, 903 N.E.2d 463 (Ind. 2009). The

       State argues that Cody waived his challenge to the admissibility of Freiburger’s

       testimony. After reviewing the record, we disagree. We will address the

       admissibility of both the recorded interview and Freiburger’s testimony.


[33]   “In general, the decision to admit or exclude evidence is within a trial court’s

       sound discretion and is afforded great deference on appeal.” Agilera v. State, 862

       N.E.2d 298, 302 (Ind. Ct. App. 2007), trans. denied. We review evidentiary

       rulings solely for an abuse of discretion, which “occurs where the decision is

       clearly against the logic and effect of the facts and circumstances before the

       court.” Carter v. State, 31 N.E.3d 17, 28 (Ind. Ct. App. 2015), trans. denied.


[34]   Indiana Code section 35-37-4-6 (2016), which is also known as the protected

       person statute (“PPS”), governs the admissibility at trial of prior statements by

       protected persons in certain circumstances. The PPS applies to specific crimes,




       6
         Cody also claims in passing that the admission of this evidence violated his federal and state constitutional
       right to a fair trial. But he mentions those provisions only in the context of discussing the Tyler case, and he
       does not present any separate constitutional analysis. We deem Cody’s constitutional claims to be waived.
       See Ind. Appellate Rule 46(A)(8)(a) (each contention must be supported by citations to authorities and by
       cogent reasoning).

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-880 | February 14, 2020                               Page 17 of 33
       including the convictions at issue in this case. In addition, the PPS defines a

       protected person, in relevant part, as “a child who is less than fourteen (14)

       years of age.” Id. There is no dispute that H.W. meets the definition of a

       protected person under the PPS.


[35]   The PPS further provides, in relevant part:


               A statement or videotape that:


               (1) is made by a person who at the time of trial is a protected
               person;


               (2) concerns an act that is a material element of an offense listed
               in subsection (a) or (b) that was allegedly committed against the
               person; and


               (3) is not otherwise admissible in evidence;


               is admissible in evidence in a criminal action for an offense listed
               in subsection (a) or (b) if the requirements of subsection (e) are
               met.


       Ind. Code § 35-37-4-6(d).


[36]   The requirements of subsection (e) of the PPS include a hearing outside the

       presence of the jury, with advance notice to the defendant, after which the trial

       court shall determine “that the time, content, and circumstances of the

       statement or videotape provide sufficient indications of reliability.” Ind. Code §

       35-37-4-6(e). In this case, the trial court held a hearing prior to trial and


       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-880 | February 14, 2020       Page 18 of 33
       determined H.W.’s prior statement was admissible. Cody does not present any

       claims of error arising from the pretrial hearing. Another relevant requirement

       of Indiana Code section 35-37-4-6(e) is that the protected person must testify at

       trial or be found unavailable to testify for specific reasons not relevant here.


[37]   Although the PPS explicitly indicates that both a protected person’s live

       testimony and prior statement may be introduced at trial, Cody argues that it is

       inappropriate to admit H.W.’s live testimony, along with the recording of

       H.W.’s interview and Freiburger’s testimony, citing Tyler v. State. In that case,

       Tyler was accused of sexual misconduct involving five children he was

       babysitting. The five children subsequently participated in separate recorded

       interviews. At trial, all five children testified, and three of the children’s

       videotaped interviews were admitted into evidence under the PPS.


[38]   Tyler argued to the Indiana Supreme Court that the trial court erred in

       admitting the interviews along with the children’s live testimony. The Supreme

       Court noted that Indiana Code section 35-37-4-6 “represents a departure from

       ordinary trial procedure,” “and should be used only when necessary to further

       its basic purpose of avoiding further injury to the protected person.” 903

       N.E.2d at 466. Nevertheless, the Supreme Court recognized that the PPS is “a

       part of Indiana evidence law, though not in the Rules.” Id. at 467.


[39]   Considering the purposes of the PPS and the potential harm resulting from the

       admission of duplicative evidence, the Supreme Court determined: “We hold

       that if the statements are consistent and both are otherwise admissible,


       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-880 | February 14, 2020        Page 19 of 33
       testimony of a protected person may be presented in open court or by

       prerecorded statement through the PPS, but not both except as authorized

       under the Rules of Evidence.” Id. The Supreme Court also noted: “[t]here are

       . . . some circumstances under which a prior statement of a live witness is

       admissible under the Rules of Evidence, for example under Evidence Rule

       801(d)(1)(A) or (B) because it contains inconsistent statements or rebuts a claim

       of fabrication. But neither party claims that the testimony in this case is

       admissible under these provisions.” Id. at 466. The Supreme Court ultimately

       concluded that although the videotaped statements should not have been

       admitted as they were further cumulative of the victims’ trial testimony, the

       prejudicial effect was “not significant” and did not require reversal. Id. at 467.


[40]   We turn to the recording of H.W.’s forensic interview. The State argues that

       the trial court did not err in admitting the recording along with H.W.’s live

       testimony because the Indiana Rules of Evidence authorized the admission.

       We disagree. The State, citing to Indiana Evidence Rule 801(d), claims the

       recorded statement was admissible to refute Cody’s claims that H.W. had

       fabricated her allegations. That rule provides, in relevant part:


               (d) Statements That Are Not Hearsay. A statement that meets
               the following conditions is not hearsay:


               (1) A Declarant-Witness’s Prior Statement. The declarant
               testifies and is subject to cross-examination about a prior
               statement, and the statement:


                                                      *****

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-880 | February 14, 2020     Page 20 of 33
               (B) is consistent with the declarant’s testimony and is offered:


               (i) to rebut an express or implied charge that the declarant
               recently fabricated it or acted from a recent improper influence or
               motive in so testifying; or


               (ii) to rehabilitate the declarant’s credibility as a witness when
               attacked on another ground . . . .


       Id.


[41]   To be admissible as substantive evidence, the prior consistent statement must

       have been made “‘before the motive to fabricate arose.’” Moreland v. State, 701

       N.E.2d 288, 293 (Ind. Ct. App. 1998) (quoting 13 Robert L. Miller, Jr., Indiana

       Evidence § 613.208 (1995)). In this case, Cody told the jury during his opening

       statement that H.W. first raised her allegations the night after Cody told Tricia

       “I am not gonna stay with you anymore.” Tr. Vol. 2, p. 233. He thus indicated

       that H.W. was prompted by her mother to fabricate the allegations of

       molestation from the beginning, and there is no evidence that disputes the

       timing of Cody’s request for a divorce. As a result, H.W.’s statements during

       the recorded forensic interview were made after the alleged motive to fabricate

       arose. See Lovitt v. State, 915 N.E.2d 1040, 1044 (Ind. Ct. App. 2009) (no error

       in excluding prior consistent statement; witness already had motive to fabricate

       when she made the statement). In light of this argument, Indiana Evidence

       Rule 801(d) alone does not justify the admission of H.W.’s recorded forensic

       interview.



       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-880 | February 14, 2020         Page 21 of 33
[42]   The State further argues that the recorded forensic interview was admissible

       under the holding in Evans v. State, 643 N.E.2d 877 (Ind. 1994). In that case,

       the trial court allowed the State to admit into evidence a witness’s transcribed

       police statement and deposition. On appeal, Evans argued the statement and

       deposition were inadmissible prior statements, but the Indiana Supreme Court

       concluded they were “admissible under the doctrine of completeness.” Id. at

       881. The Court noted, “a party may place the remainder of a statement or

       document before the jury after the opposing party has introduced a portion of

       that statement or document into evidence.” Id.


[43]   In the current case, Cody did not put a portion of H.W.’s forensic interview

       into evidence before the State sought to introduce the entire interview. The

       doctrine of completeness is inapplicable here, and Evans is distinguishable.


[44]   To summarize, the Rules of Evidence do not otherwise support the admission

       of the recorded forensic interview into evidence, and admission of the recording

       into evidence along with H.W.’s live testimony contravenes the Indiana

       Supreme Court’s holding in Tyler. But our analysis does not end there. The

       admission of evidence is subject to a harmless error analysis. Fox v. State, 717

       N.E.2d 957, 966 (Ind. Ct. App. 1999), trans. denied. Admission of a recording

       may be harmless error if it is no more than cumulative of the statements of a

       witness and the recording is not the only direct evidence of the events. Id.




       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-880 | February 14, 2020    Page 22 of 33
[45]   A panel of our Court found harmful error in Cox v. State, 937 N.E.2d 874, 879

       (Ind. Ct. App. 2010), trans. denied, when the trial court admitted both the video

       interview and the child’s live testimony. We held:


               We note that in Tyler, the court concluded that introduction of
               the prerecorded statements into evidence was not reversible error
               because it was merely cumulative of the children’s consistent trial
               testimony. Here, there was no trial testimony by D.H. regarding
               the charged crimes, consistent or otherwise. All of the evidence
               supporting Cox’s convictions came from the videotaped
               statement. Introduction of that statement removed any
               possibility that D.H. might make inconsistent statements in live
               testimony as compared to the statement, and so that potential
               avenue for defense counsel to attack the veracity of D.H.’s claims
               was foreclosed. Additionally, we note that the statement was not
               made under any kind of oath, including an oath appropriate for
               children. There was, for example, no examination before D.H.
               gave the statement of whether he appreciated the difference
               between truths and lies. Thus, there is no sworn testimony or
               statement supporting Cox’s convictions. The trial court’s
               erroneous admission of the videotape cannot be labeled harmless.


       Cox, 937 N.E.2d at 879 (citations omitted and emphasis supplied).


[46]   The facts of this case, however, are more similar to Tyler than Cox. In this case,

       the recorded interview was merely cumulative of in-court testimony by H.W.

       and Tricia. Further, Tricia’s testimony added another piece of circumstantial

       evidence: during the relevant time period, she came home from work and

       found Cody asleep on the couch with his pants down around his ankles, with a

       pillow covering his genitals. We therefore conclude, as did our Supreme Court,

       that the effect of the admission of the recorded interview herein was

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-880 | February 14, 2020     Page 23 of 33
       “insignificant” and we do not find it amounted to reversible error. See Tyler,

       903 N.E.2d at 467 (no reversible error in admission of recorded interviews; any

       prejudicial effect was outweighed by the children’s live testimony); see also

       Taylor v. State, 841 N.E.2d 631, 637 (Ind. Ct. App. 2006) (admission of recorded

       forensic interview was harmless error; victim, the victim’s mother, and the

       forensic interviewer testified at trial), trans. denied.


[47]   Turning to Freiburger’s testimony, we note that the Indiana Supreme Court’s

       holding in Tyler is limited to situations involving “testimony of a protected

       person . . . in open court or by prerecorded statement.” 903 N.E.2d at 467. As

       a result, the holding does not apply to Freiburger’s live testimony. We instead

       turn to Taylor, in which Taylor challenged the admissibility of several pieces of

       evidence, including a forensic interviewer’s testimony regarding statements

       made by the child victim during the interview. 841 N.E.2d at 633. A panel of

       this Court determined the trial court did not abuse its discretion in admitting

       testimony by the interviewer, noting: (1) the forensic interview occurred four

       days after the initial disclosure; (2) the interview lasted twenty minutes; (3) the

       interviewer did not ask leading questions, and the victim’s mother was not

       present; and (4) the interview occurred before a sexual assault examination.


[48]   Here, Freiburger interviewed H.W. four days after she disclosed the sexual

       abuse to her mother. The interview lasted only thirty minutes. Tricia did not

       participate in or observe the interview. Freiburger testified that her interview

       protocol requires letting the child lead the interview and avoiding direct

       questions. She further explained that she followed the above protocol by

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-880 | February 14, 2020      Page 24 of 33
       allowing H.W. to narrate what happened and expressed no credibility as to

       H.W.’s statements made during or after the interview. Finally, the record fails

       to indicate whether H.W. underwent a sexual assault examination, and whether

       it happened before her forensic interview. Under the circumstances, and

       following the holding in Taylor, we conclude the trial court did not abuse its

       discretion in admitting Freiburger’s testimony concerning the forensic

       interview.


                                  III. Sufficiency of the Evidence
[49]   Cody argues the State failed to present sufficient evidence to sustain his

       convictions, in large part because he claims H.W.’s testimony was incredibly

       dubious and unbelievable. The State responds that H.W.’s testimony was

       consistent and believable, and that the record contains ample evidence to affirm

       Cody’s convictions.


[50]   The Indiana Supreme Court has explained:


               In reviewing a sufficiency of the evidence claim, the Court
               neither reweighs the evidence nor assesses the credibility of the
               witnesses. We look to the evidence most favorable to the verdict
               and reasonable inferences drawn therefrom. We will affirm the
               conviction if there is probative evidence from which a reasonable
               jury could have found the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable
               doubt.

               Within the narrow limits of the ‘incredible dubiosity’ rule, a court
               may impinge upon a jury’s function to judge the credibility of a
               witness. If a sole witness presents inherently improbable
               testimony and there is a complete lack of circumstantial
               evidence, a defendant’s conviction may be reversed. This is
       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-880 | February 14, 2020      Page 25 of 33
               appropriate only where the court has confronted inherently
               improbable testimony or coerced, equivocal, wholly
               uncorroborated testimony of incredible dubiosity. Application of
               this rule is rare and the standard to be applied is whether the
               testimony is so incredibly dubious or inherently improbable that
               no reasonable person could believe it.


       Love v. State, 761 N.E.2d 806, 810 (Ind. 2002) (citations omitted). The rule

       applies only when a witness contradicts herself or himself in a single statement

       or while testifying, and does not apply to conflicts between multiple statements.

       Carter, 31 N.E.3d at 31.


[51]   To convict Cody of Level 4 child molesting as charged, the State was required

       to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he: (1) being at least eighteen years of

       age (2) performed or submitted to any fondling or touching (3) of either H.W. (a

       child under fourteen years of age) or himself (4) with the intent to arouse or to

       satisfy the sexual desires of H.W. or himself. Ind. Code § 35-42-4-3;

       Appellant’s App. Vol. II, p. 62. To convict Cody of Level 6 vicarious sexual

       gratification as charged, the State was required to prove beyond a reasonable

       doubt that he: (1) being at least eighteen years of age (2) knowingly or

       intentionally (3) touched or fondled his own body (4) in the presence of H.W.

       (5) a child less than fourteen years of age (6) with the intent to arouse or satisfy

       the sexual desires of himself or H.W. Ind. Code § 35-42-4-5; Appellant’s App.

       Vol. II, p. 17.


[52]   Having reviewed the record, we reject Cody’s claim that H.W.’s trial testimony

       was incredibly dubious. Her testimony was detailed and organized. Further,

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-880 | February 14, 2020       Page 26 of 33
       H.W. did not equivocate, and her description of events was not improbable or

       illogical. See Reyburn v. State, 737 N.E.2d 1169, 1171-72 (Ind. Ct. App. 2000)

       (child-victims’ testimony not incredibly dubious; both victims testified

       unequivocally and without contradiction about Reyburn’s criminal misconduct

       toward them). Cody argues H.W.’s testimony is “inherently contradictory” to

       other evidence, Appellant’s Br. p. 32, but the incredible dubiosity analysis

       focuses on contradictions within a witness’s testimony, not in the context of

       other evidence.


[53]   Next, the evidence is sufficient to sustain Cody’s convictions. H.W. testified

       that Cody openly masturbated in her presence, explaining that he used lotion

       and sat on the couch in the living room with his pants down around his ankles.

       During the forensic interview, she demonstrated for Freiburger how Cody

       moved his hand on his penis as he masturbated. H.W. also described with

       particularity Cody’s lotion bottle. Subsequently, the bottle was found inside the

       house, in a closet which the girls were not allowed to access without

       permission. This is sufficient evidence to sustain Cody’s conviction for

       vicarious sexual gratification.


[54]   H.W. further testified that Cody taught her a “game” in which one person

       would close their eyes and touch the other person’s hands to determine how

       many fingers the other person was holding up. She explained that on one

       occasion while playing the game with Cody, when no one else was present, she

       initially thought she was touching Cody’s fingers. However, when H.W.

       opened her eyes, she was surprised to learn that she was feeling his private part,

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-880 | February 14, 2020       Page 27 of 33
       which she described as being “slimy.” Tr. Vol. 3, pp. 62-63. This is sufficient

       evidence to sustain Cody’s conviction for Level 4 felony child molesting.


[55]   Cody argues H.W. had ample grounds to fabricate the claims against him,

       pointing to his own testimony that he had asked Tricia for a divorce on August

       2, 2017, the day before H.W. first disclosed Cody’s alleged sexual misconduct

       to Tricia. He also notes that he attended R.R.’s birthday party the day after

       H.W.’s disclosure, without incident. Cody further claims that H.W. did not

       divulge the alleged act of molestation (that is, Cody tricking H.W. into touching

       his penis) until she was on a camping trip with her mother, and that Tricia

       delayed calling the police for two days. Next, Cody claims H.W.’s allegations

       are improbable because: (1) she frequently stayed at her father’s house during

       the period of time when the sexual misconduct was alleged to have occurred;

       (2) it was difficult to keep the other girls in their rooms; and (3) Tricia had

       installed a camera in the kitchen which she could access remotely via her

       telephone. These arguments all amount to a request for this Court to reweigh

       the evidence, which contradicts our standard of review. Cody presented all of

       these arguments to the jury, which was in the position to assess the witnesses’

       credibility accordingly. Cody has failed to demonstrate that the evidence is

       insufficient.


               IV. Appropriateness of Sentence for Child Molesting
[56]   Cody argues that his eleven-year sentence, with two years suspended, for Level

       4 felony child molesting is inappropriate in light of the nature of the offense and

       his character. He asks the Court to reduce his sentence to six years, with no
       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-880 | February 14, 2020       Page 28 of 33
       more than three years executed, to be served concurrently with his sentence for

       vicarious sexual gratification.


[57]   Article seven, section six of the Indiana Constitution authorizes this Court to

       review and revise sentences “to the extent provided by rule.” This

       constitutional authority is implemented through Appellate Rule 7(B), which

       provides that this Court may revise a sentence otherwise authorized by statute

       “if, after due consideration of the trial court’s decision, the Court finds that the

       sentence is inappropriate in light of the nature of the offense and the character

       of the offender.”


[58]   A defendant must persuade the appellate court that his or her sentence has met

       this inappropriateness standard of review. Childress v. State, 848 N.E.2d 1073,

       1080 (Ind. 2006). Whether a sentence should be deemed inappropriate turns on

       our sense of culpability of the defendant, the severity of the crime, the damage

       done to others, and other factors. Cardwell v. State, 895 N.E.2d 1219, 1224 (Ind.

       2008). In particular, we may consider “whether a portion of the sentence is

       ordered suspended or is otherwise fashioned using any of the variety of

       sentencing tools available to the trial judge.” Davidson v. State, 926 N.E.2d

       1023, 1025 (Ind. 2010).


[59]   “[W]e must and should exercise deference to a trial court’s sentencing decision,

       both because Rule 7(B) requires us to give ‘due consideration’ to that decision

       and because we understand and recognize the unique perspective a trial court

       brings to its sentencing decisions.” Stewart v. State, 866 N.E.2d 858, 866 (Ind.


       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-880 | February 14, 2020       Page 29 of 33
       Ct. App. 2007). Deference to the sentencing decision “should prevail unless

       overcome by compelling evidence portraying in a positive light the nature of the

       offense (such as accompanied by restraint, regard, and lack of brutality) and the

       defendant’s character (such as substantial virtuous traits or persistent examples

       of good character).” Stephenson v. State, 29 N.E.3d 111, 122 (Ind. 2015).


[60]   To assess whether a sentence is inappropriate, we look first to the statutory

       range established for the class of the offense. At the time Cody committed child

       molesting, by statute the possible sentencing range for a Level 4 felony was

       imprisonment for a fixed term of between two and twelve years, with the

       advisory sentence being six years. Ind. Code § 35-50-2-5.5 (2014). The trial

       court sentenced Cody to eleven years, with two years suspended to probation,

       for an executed sentence of nine years, halfway between the advisory sentence

       and the maximum possible sentence.


[61]   For purposes of sentencing revision, we first address the nature of the offense as

       related to child molesting. Cody acknowledges that his behavior was

       “grotesque and reprehensible” but urges the Court to consider that the specific

       offense was “a one time act of very short duration.” Appellant’s Br. p. 35.

       While the criminal act of child molesting as a Level 4 felony may have occurred

       over a short span of time, however, the evidence established that his act was

       part of a months-long series of prior acts of sexual misconduct he committed

       against H.W. Cody had ample opportunity to reconsider his criminal conduct

       but chose to continue. Further, his acts escalated in severity over time, from

       masturbating in H.W.’s presence, to ordering her to spit on his hand while

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-880 | February 14, 2020    Page 30 of 33
       masturbating, to committing Level 4 felony child molesting by tricking her into

       feeling his penis.


[62]   Further, H.W. was eight years old when the offenses occurred, which is well

       below the statutory limit of fourteen years. Also, Cody, as her stepfather and

       adult resident of the household, as well as her frequent caregiver, was in a

       position of trust over H.W.


[63]   In addition, Cody’s criminal behavior has had a severe impact on H.W. She

       has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and regularly sees a

       therapist and a life skills coach. H.W.’s relationship with family members has

       been damaged to the extent that she presently displays a great amount of

       hostility, anger, irritability, and fear. Further, H.W.’s mother informed the

       court that she was concerned that Cody’s abuse of H.W. would make her

       journey through adolescence even more turbulent than usual. There is nothing

       about the nature of his criminal behavior, and the consequences thereof, that

       convinces the Court that Cody’s sentence is inappropriate.


[64]   As for the character of the offender, Cody was twenty-nine years old at the time

       of sentencing. His prior criminal history consists of a felony theft conviction

       and misdemeanor convictions for possession of marijuana; two disorderly

       conduct convictions; criminal damage; unauthorized use of a motor vehicle;

       domestic violence; and, possession of paraphernalia. It appears that Cody has

       accrued new convictions every few years, demonstrating a consistent refusal to

       live a law-abiding life. Further, as noted, his Level 4 felony conviction of child


       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-880 | February 14, 2020     Page 31 of 33
       molesting was part of a series of other uncharged criminal behavior, because

       there was testimony that he masturbated in H.W.’s presence approximately

       twenty times but was charged for only one of those incidents.


[65]   In mitigation, Cody asserts that he has a steady employment history, from 2012

       until his arrest in this case. “[M]any people are gainfully employed such that

       this would not require” employment being noted as a mitigating factor.

       Newsome v. State, 797 N.E.2d 293, 301 (Ind. Ct. App. 2003), trans. denied. In

       addition, Cody accrued four of his misdemeanor convictions during that same

       period of time.


[66]   Cody further claims that lengthy incarceration will pose a financial hardship to

       his daughter R.R. “[J]ail is always a hardship on dependents.” Teeters v. State,

       817 N.E.2d 275, 280 (Ind. Ct. App. 2004), trans. denied. The record reflects that

       Tricia has had custody of R.R. since she and Cody separated, and as a result

       Cody has failed to show how R.R. will suffer undue hardship from his
                          7
       incarceration. There is nothing about his character that renders his sentence

       inappropriate.


[67]   Cody has failed to carry his burden of proving that his sentence for child

       molesting is inappropriate in light of the nature of the offense and his character.




       7
        A reduction in household income may or may not create an undue hardship. On the other hand, the
       protection of minor siblings by parents and society is a factor that the trial court and this Court must consider
       and balance.

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-880 | February 14, 2020                               Page 32 of 33
                                                  Conclusion
[68]   For the reasons stated above, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.


[69]   Affirmed.


       Brown, J., and Tavitas, J., concur.




       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 19A-CR-880 | February 14, 2020   Page 33 of 33
