PIKEVILLE, Ky. — A Pike County man is currently set to go to trial on a child rape charge next month.

Natalio Ramirez, 42, of Island Creek Road, was originally indicted in August of 2021, on one count of first-degree rape. He is accused of raping a child younger than 12 from December 2018 to September 2020.

The case was dismissed in November 2022, at the request of the child’s mother. Prosecutors were reluctant to dismiss the case, but agreed after the mother promised to keep her children away from Ramirez.

But in April 2025, the case was reinstated, after prosecutors learned, according to court filings, that Ramirez still had contact with the children and that he was being investigated for allegations of abusing another child. Results of that investigation are not available, but no additional charges have been filed against him at this time.

Ramirez is currently scheduled to go on trial June 22. However, the case could be delayed, as there is another trial scheduled for the same day before the same judge.

If convicted, Ramirez will face a sentence of 20-to-50 years or life in prison.