An elderly Winona man appeared in court Monday on charges he sexually abused a child. Charges were filed more than nine months ago.

Donald Warren Blake Sr., 88, was charged in March with a single count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a child younger than 13. He had missed several court appearances before Monday, each time citing medical problems.

Assistant County Attorney Kevin O'Laughlin said at a November hearing Blake missed that he would request an arrest warrant for Blake if he failed to appear at Monday's hearing.

Police say Blake's alleged victim, who is 34, came forward in October 2008, saying Blake had abused her in his Winona residence several times between 1979 and 1986, when she was between 5 and 12 years old.

Blake admitted to the crime in a taped telephone conversation with a witness on Oct. 24, 2008, and said he felt "very badly" for the victim and wanted to help her, according to the criminal complaint. Blake told investigators that he initially thought the victim was trying to extort money from him. He later admitted having sex with her no more than 10 times over a period of several years, according to court documents.

Blake used a walker Monday to approach the defense table for his brief hearing. His attorney, Tim Guth, said he plans to challenge the admissibility of Blake's statements.

Blake was convicted in 1995 of felony molestation for fondling two 11-year-old girls while visiting Sparks, Nev.

Blake is a retired Winona County court reporter and a World War II veteran. He was honored in 2001 for his volunteer service at St. Anne's Hospice retirement home after logging nearly 800 hours of volunteer service.

Blake was released Monday on his own recognizance, and is next scheduled to appear in court Feb. 5 before Judge Mary Leahy.