MENDOTA, Calif. (AP) — The Fresno County sheriff says the four-year-old boy whose body was found stuffed in a dryer had been killed by drowning.
Sheriff Margaret Mims released the finding from Monday's autopsy, but declined to say how or where Alex Mercado was drowned. She did say he was killed before volunteers launched a citywide search for him on Saturday.
A 14-year-old neighbor boy has been arrested on suspicion of killing Alex. Investigators say the little boy was playing outside when the 14-year-old, whose name has not been released, brought him inside.
Mims declined to discuss a motive and said that will be revealed when prosecutors file charges.
Mourners have placed flowers and teddy bears outside of the boy's home in this impoverished farming community.
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