Steve A. Ross, 54, of Batesville, appeared for an initial hearing last week, October 10, in Ripley Circuit Court. He has been formally charged with two counts of Sexual Misconduct with a Minor, Class B Felonies.

According to information from the Affidavit of Probable Cause, the investigation began in early July. The victim told a relative about the alleged abuse saying “she has been through a lot.” She went on to describe her ordeal advising authorities this had gone on for a period of four years, from the time she was about 12-years-old.

Ross had been hospitalized following an accident earlier in the year. When police talked with him at Christ Hospital in Cincinnati, he told them nothing had happened between him and the victim, saying, “he never touched her.” He would not agree to take a polygraph test. When questioned about another possible victim, the probable cause affidavit indicates he agreed he had “been too close” to her and had apologized. He said he only apologized to her to “make her feel better.”

Bond was set at $10,000 for Ross. He paid $1,050 dollars and is free awaiting his trial, which is set for March 20, 2007, in Ripley Circuit Court. A Motion to Increase Bond has been set for October 19 at 11:00 a.m.