JOLIET, Ill. — A Morris resident was found guilty Thursday of beating to death his girlfriend’s 2-year-old son three years ago.

Circuit Judge Richard Schoenstedt found Gilbert Knowles, 35, guilty in a bench trial on two counts of first-degree murder for the killing of Devin Owens on Sept. 17, 2007.

Knowles faces 20 to 60 years in prison when he is sentenced on Oct. 26, and could be eligible for an extended term.

After an evening of drinking and using cocaine the night of the murder, Knowles returned to the Joliet home he shared with his girlfriend, and was left alone to watch Devin and his 5-year-old sister. The next morning, the boy’s mother found Devin’s body wedged between his bed and the wall.

The youngster had more than 30 injuries to his head from the severe beating he sustained in the incident, including a skull fracture and torn lip. Bruises to the back of the head matched patterns on a bath mat in the home.

A forensic pathologist testified the child died within roughly two hours after the children were left with Knowles.

A shirt with traces of Knowles’ and the youngster’s DNA was found in the woods behind the Wilmington business where he was employed.

Assistant Will County State’s Attorneys Steve Platek and Anna Rossi said at the trial that Knowles tried to hide the shirt after the murder.

“Society can never tolerate the vicious murder of innocent children like Devin Owens, who have no ability to protect themselves from the senseless violence inflicted by callous deviants,” Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow said.

“Justice will be served because Devin’s voice was heard in court by Judge Schoenstedt. Gilbert Knowles will pay for his horrific crime, thanks to the judge’s careful examination of the evidence and first-rate work by Joliet police detectives and my two fine prosecutors."

Glasgow also complimented Wilmington Officer Jose Campos, whose cooperation in the investigation turned up the shirt in the woods.