A Douglas County judge Thursday ordered a 26-year-old man to face a trial on charges that he sexually abused a 6-year-old girl in Eudora over a period of time.

District Judge Michael Malone made the decision after hearing evidence at a preliminary hearing that included testimony from a state social worker who interviewed the girl. The man, who was initially identified as a transient Eudora man, faces one count of child rape and two counts of aggravated criminal sodomy, all of which are punishable by a sentence of 25 years to life in prison if convicted.

Eudora police have said the child formerly lived in Eudora with her family and that the suspect was brought to Eudora from Spring Hill for questioning in the case.

Defense attorney Sarah Swain argued Thursday that prosecutors had not presented any evidence that the alleged incidents occurred in Douglas County.

Malone scheduled a Sept. 9 arraignment in the case.

The Journal-World generally does not identify sex crime suspects unless they are convicted.