EFFINGHAM COUNTY — A 30-year-old Watson man was sentenced Thursday to 25 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for molesting an 8-year-old boy.

Timothy R. Beck ha previously pleaded guilty to one count Class X felony predatory criminal sexual assault of a child. While the charge is punishable by up to 60 years in prison, the plea bargain was made came with the agreement that sentencing would be capped at 25 years in prison..

Beck had reportedly been staying with the boy’s family for about a year before the boy’s mother kicked him out days before his August 20 arrest.

Court records indicate the abuse was repeated over a period of several months.