BENTON COUNTY — An Excelsior Springs, Mo., man pled not guilty to raping an 11-year-old boy.

Robert Kyle Reeves, 28, entered the plea earlier this month during an arraignment before Circuit Judge Jon Comstock. Reeves is charged with rape, a Class Y felony normally punishable with a prison sentence ranging from 10 to 40 years or life. A conviction of raping a child age 13 or younger carries a minimum prison sentence of 25 years.Reeves was arrested Jan. 4.

Reeves had been staying with a family friend near Decatur during the holidays. The boy told his mother Reeves raped him while she was away from home running errands, according to court documents.

The child was later interviewed at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Benton County, according to court documents.

An omnibus hearing is slated for April 9.

Reeves is being held in the Benton County Jail on $100,000 bond.

School News, Pages 11 on 02/29/2012