Teen Charged as Adult in Slaying of 4-Year-Old Alex Mercado, Found in Dryer
MENDOTA, Calif. (CBS/AP) A 14-year-old boy accused of killing 4-year-old Alex Christopher Mercado and stuffing him in a dryer will be tried as an adult, according to a Fresno County judge.
Prosecutors have filed murder and other charges against the 14-year-old central California boy.
On Tuesday, Fresno County District Attorney Elizabeth Egan said the 14-year-old will be charged as an adult for the boy's murder and is also facing charges of sodomy, kidnapping and murder of a witness to prevent testimony.
He is due to be arraigned Wednesday morning. If eventually convicted, he could be sentenced to life in prison, say prosecutors.
Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims says Mercado's body was found Saturday in the 14-year-old's family home in Mendota. Earlier Tuesday, Fresno County authorities said Mercado was drowned before being stuffed in the dryer.