UPDATE: CA teen charged with murder in the death of a 4-year-old found in a dryer

Prosecutors have filed murder and other charges against a 14-year-old central California boy accused in the death of a 4-year-old neighbor boy, whose body was found in a clothes dryer at the teen’s home.

Fresno County District Attorney Elizabeth Egan says the 14-year-old was charged as an adult Tuesday. Egan says the teen also is facing charges of sodomy, kidnapping and murder of a witness to prevent testimony.

He is due to be arraigned Wednesday morning. Prosecutors say if eventually convicted, he could be sentenced to life in prison.

Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims says the body of 4-year-old Alex Christopher Mercado was found Saturday in the 14-year-old’s family home in Mendota. Earlier Tuesday, Fresno County authorities said Alex was drowned before being stuffed in the dryer.

PREVIOUS STORY (11/02/09)

Authorities say the body of a missing 4-year-old California boy 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.

Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims says 4-year-old Alex Christopher Mercado’s body was found Saturday. 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.