California, United States of America
The following excerpt is from Alameda Cnty. Soc. Servs. Agency v. D.E. (In re D.E.), A151883 (Cal. App. 2018):
15. Hearsay that is not objected to may constitute substantial evidence. (See People v. Panah (2005) 35 Cal.4th 395, 476 [" ' "[i]t is settled law that incompetent testimony, such as hearsay or conclusion, if received without objection takes on the attributes of competent proof when considered upon the question of sufficiency of the evidence to support a finding" ' "]; see Cal. Law Revision Com. com, 29B Pt.1A West's Ann. Evid. Code (2011 ed.) foll. 140, p. 27 ["when inadmissible hearsay or opinion testimony is admitted without objection, this definition makes it clear that it constitutes evidence that may be considered by the trier of fact"].)
16. Father cites no authority indicating that medical corroboration is a necessary prerequisite for a finding of sexual abuse.
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