Joliet man convicted in 9-month-old’s death

JOLIET — A Will County jury has found a Joliet man guilty of beating to death his girlfriend’s 9-month-old baby in October 2008.

The jury deliberated two hours Tuesday before finding 33-year-old Santos Loza guilty in the death of Kevion Bender while he watched the infant.

Loza told police the baby was crying when his mother, Sandra Sitko, left for work. He said he watched television before putting the baby to bed around 10 p.m. He denied striking the child.

Sitko testified she returned to Loza’s home about 11 p.m. and spent the night. When she awoke and checked on the baby, she found him cold and lifeless.

Assistant State’s Attorney Derek Ewanic told jurors Loza was “in over his head” and lost control.

No sentencing date for Loza has been set.