COLUMBIANA- A 30-year-old Alabaster man who was charged with rape in the first degree and sexual abuse of a child less than 12 years old on Nov. 2, 2016, was scheduled for a status call hearing at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 4, at his preliminary hearing on Thursday, March 2.

According to court documents, a status call was set while investigators wait for the results of a DNA test. A motion to take DNA samples from the defendant, Ramon Rosas Morales, was filed on Friday, Nov. 11. The motion said, “Samples from the defendant are necessary for the full and complete investigation of this matter and could directly prove or disprove the defendant’s participation in the allegations charged.”

According to the motion, “certain biological evidence” was also collected through a sexual assault kit from the victim.

After his arrest, Morales was originally set for a preliminary hearing on Dec. 1, 2016, which was rescheduled for March 2.

His arrest warrants stated Morales allegedly subjected “another person who is less than 12 years old to sexual contact,” and “did engage in sexual intercourse with a member of the opposite sex who is less than 12 years of age,” from May to June of 2015.

If convicted, Morales could face a maximum sentence of life in prison for rape in the first degree and a maximum 20-year prison sentence for sexual abuse of a child below 12 years old.

Morales is currently being held at the Shelby County Jail on a $90,000 bond.