Belleville man gets probation after he breaks into home and covers 8-year-old’s mouth

A Belleville man will spend 36 months on probation after he broke in a Cahokia home to rob it and held an 8-year-old against him and covered his mouth.

Dwayne D. Beck, 41, was sentenced to probation for residential burglary and unlawful restraint on Monday. His home invasion and criminal trespass to residence charges were dropped as a part of his plea deal.

Judge Zina Cruse found Beck to be guilty but mentally ill. The defense raised questions about Beck’s mental fitness in March 2017, and the judge came to her conclusion after a court-ordered psychiatric evaluation.

Beck was sentenced for breaking into a Cahokia home in the 100 block of Lazarcheff on Oct. 4, 2016. Charges say he knew people were home when he broke into the house. He grabbed an 8-year-old in the house and held him against him, putting his hand over his mouth.

He isn’t allowed to make contact with the victims during his time on probation, and he’ll have an electric monitor for the first six months.

This story was originally published July 17, 2017 at 7:04 PM with the headline "Belleville man gets probation after he breaks into home and covers 8-year-old’s mouth."