MARION, Ohio (WCMH) – A Marion City Council member, who attended its most recent meeting days after posting bond, went to court next to face charges of rape.

On May 20, Marion police arrested Ayers Ratliff after he was accused of raping a 13-year-old child the day before. According to a criminal complaint document, officers went to a school, where the victim stated that Ratliff had forcibly engaged in sexual intercourse the night before.

The complaint reported that shortly after the alleged assault, the victim sent text messages to a friend explaining what happened. The friend relayed the messages to a school guidance counselor, who contacted the police.

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation was called to assist in the investigation and the victim was taken to Marion General Hospital for a sexual assault examination.

Police also executed a search warrant at the location of the reported rape, where several clothes described by the victim were collected, as well as other physical evidence and electronic devices.

In a video statement released last week, Marion County Prosecutor Ray Grogan acknowledged that Ratliff, who was issued a $500,000 bond on May 21, was taken into custody after a child filed a formal complaint. Grogan said that while Ratliff is “presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt,” as a city council member, Ayers is “not above the law.”

Three witnesses including the Marion Chief of Police, a special agent with BCI and a nurse at Marion General Hospital testified during a preliminary hearing on Thursday. Marion County Municipal Court judge Teresa Ballinger assigned the case to common pleas court, where a grand jury will decide if Ratliff is to be indicted on any charges.

“The court’s going to make a finding that there is probable cause to believe that a felony has been committed and it was committed by the defendant,” Ballinger said. “The defendant will be bound over to the Marion County Common Pleas Court.”

According to a recording of the Marion City Council meeting on May 28, Ratliff reported “present” eight days after posting bond. Mayor Bill Collins confirmed Ratlitff’s attendance at the meeting.

Ratliff took part in voting on several motions during the May 28 meeting and remains listed as 2nd Ward office holder, chair to the Public Utilities committee and assigned to the Finance and Jobs and Economic Development committees, according to the meeting’s agenda.