Wednesday, January 9, 2008 12:06 PM CST

SPARTA - A Sparta surgeon's preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 31 over sexual abuse charges formally filed against him Monday.

Dr. Frantz Charles, 61, Sparta, will appear in Randolph County Circuit Court in Chester on Class 4 felony counts of criminal sexual abuse and unlawful restraint, as well as a Class A misdemeanor charge of battery.

A female employee who works part-time at Sparta Community Hospital alleges that Charles pulled her into a men's locker room at the hospital, forced her against a wall and inappropriately touched her.

The doctor denies the charges, saying he had not seen the woman for several months and was simply trying to give her a hug.

Sparta police officers arrested Charles at the hospital on Dec. 29, taking him to Randolph County Jail. Charles posted $1,000 bond and was released.

Sparta Community Hospital administrators say that Charles will not see patients while the hospital conducts an investigation into the employee's complaint against the doctor.

Charles is a general surgeon at the hospital, with over 17 years' experience.