HUTCHINSON – A Kansas man was in court Monday for a new preliminary hearing on human-trafficking and other charges.

The state had earlier dropped the case against Steven Beranek, 52, Wichita, on technical grounds.

He is charged with one count of human trafficking involving his wife, aggravated battery, criminal threat-domestic battery, criminal restraint and misdemeanor battery.

The first charge accuses him with human trafficking between May 2011 and June 2013. The other charges occurred in January and June of 2013.

Beranek’s wife is the adult female victim, in the case, and was allegedly held against her will on a farmstead near Pretty Prairie.

She was able to get free and showed up at a Reno County restaurant.

Police and sheriff officials then began the investigation, which was made more difficult because of her inability to speak English.

During the hearing she told of her ordeal, however the defense got her to admit that some of things she was asked or told to do were part of her duties or chores.

But, when asked why she didn’t leave sooner, she testified she was told she wouldn’t be able to take her child the two had together.

Beranek is also alleged to have battered a 14-month-old child in this case as well.

He is now scheduled for arraignment.