In the Interest of KTB

Carley, Chief Judge.

The issue presented for resolution in this appeal is the meaning of “available to testify” as that phrase is employed in OCGA § 24-3-16: “A statement made by a child under the age of 14 years describing any act of sexual contact or physical abuse performed with or on the child by another is admissible in evidence by the testimony of the person or persons to whom made if the child is available to testify in the proceedings and the court finds that the circumstances of the statement provide sufficient indicia of reliability.” (Emphasis supplied.)

This issue arises in the…