The Rhea County Grand Jury returned an original indictment June 5 against a Dayton businessman charged with statutory rape.

A 17-year-old girl went to the Dayton Police Department on April 26 and alleged that she and Alejandro "Alex" Ayala, 32, owner of Ayala's Mexican Restaurant, had been involved in a consensual sexual relationship since she was 13, according to Dayton Investigator Darrell Bell.

The girl told Bell that Ayala had paid the $450 monthly rent on her apartment and her electric bill during that time. He also allegedly purchased a 2006 Mercury Milan for her, according to Bell.

Ayala and the girl also have a three-month-old daughter together.

"They apparently had an argument, and he ran her off from the restaurant," Bell said, explaining why she went to the police department.

The girl gave a detailed written statement on April 26 but returned to the police department on May 5 and told Bell she wanted to drop the charges.

"She changed her mind, but we still have her original statement," Bell said.

Ayala gave Bell a statement admitting to the relationship but added that he also gave the girl $200 a week in spending money and that she had told him she would call the police if he didn't continue to give her the money and pay her bills, according to the investigator.

The Grand Jury issued a True Bill against Ayala on June 5, and he was arrested on Friday and charged with statutory rape. He was released on $3,000 bond pending a July 20 preliminary hearing in Rhea County General Sessions Court.

John Carpenter can be reached at jcarpenter@xtn.net.