This section contains the nature of the case and procedural background.

White (D) sexually assaulted a four-year-old girl. The girl did not appear at trial, but several other people testified as to her statements, including the girl's babysitter, the girl's mother, the police officer, and the nurse and doctor who treated her. D objected to their testimony on hearsay grounds, stating that the 6th Amendment's Confrontation Clause required that cross-examination of the girl. The court allowed the babysitter, mother, and officer to testify because their testimony fell under a hearsay exception for spontaneous declarations. The court allowed the nurse and doctor to testify because their testimony fell under a hearsay exception for statements made in the course of securing medical treatment. D was found guilty, and the Illinois Appellate court affirmed his conviction, rejecting D's Confrontation Clause challenge. The Illinois Supreme Court denied discretionary review, and the United States Supreme Court granted certiorari.

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