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4-Year-Old Boy Found Dead In Dryer

Boy, 14, Arrested In Connection With Death

POSTED: 8:41 am PST November 2, 2009
UPDATED: 8:47 am PST November 2, 2009

The body of a missing 4-year-old boy in Fresno County was found in the clothes dryer of a neighbor's home and a 14-year-old boy from the house in Mendota has been arrested on suspicion of the killing, authorities said.

The teen will be charged in the killing of 4-year-old Alex Christopher Mercado, Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims said.

The parents of Alex reported him missing on Friday afternoon. Deputies were joined by dozens of volunteers and combed the area through the night. The boy was found in the dryer about 24 hours after he disappeared, Sheriff's spokesman Chris Curtice said.

Alex was placed in the dryer after he was killed, Mims said.

The suspect, whose name was not released, was arrested late in the day.

Neighbors tell the Fresno Bee that the suspect's mother had been a baby sitter to Alex.
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Section: Holidays