A rural Aledo man has pleaded not guilty to a Class X felony count of aggravated battery to a child. 31 year old Robert Gates waived his preliminary hearing this morning in Mercer County Circuit Court. A pre-trial conference is now set for February 3rd. The victim in the case is approximately three years old, according to the complaint which was investigated by the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department and Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. The alleged incident occurred January 2nd. Gates remains in custody at the Mercer County Jail without bond. Class X felonies are punishable by 6-to-30 years in prison upon conviction.
