Alex Mercado, Missing 4-Year-Old Fresno Boy, Found Dead in Dryer
NEW YORK (CBS/AP) The body of Alex Christopher Mercado, a missing 4-year-old California boy, was found in the clothes dryer of a neighbor's home and a 14-year-old boy who lived in the neighbor's Mendota, Calif., house has been arrested on suspicion of the killing, police say.
Mercado's body was found Saturday, Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims said. According to Mims, the boy was placed in the dryer after he was killed.
Sheriff's spokesman Chris Curtice says Alex's parents reported him missing Friday afternoon. Deputies joined by dozens of volunteers combed the area through the night and the boy was found in the dryer about 24 hours after he disappeared.
The suspect - whose name was not released - was arrested later in the day.