A rural Aledo man is being held without bond in the Mercer County Jail facing a Class X felony of aggravated battery to a child. A preliminary hearing for 31 year old Robert Gates is January 14. 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 was arrested late last week and remains in the Mercer County Jail. Bond was set at $200,000 last Friday with the state requesting a $500,000 bond on Monday. Judge Peter Church then denied bond for the defendant. Class X felonies are punishable by 6-to-30 years in prison upon conviction.