KMPH Fox 26 Central San Joaquin Valley News Source in Fresno, California Entertainment, News, Sports and Weather | Mendota Teen's Arraignment Postponed

Mendota Teen's Arraignment Postponed

The arraignment of a Mendota teen accused of killing a 4-year-old boy has been postponed.

14-year-old Raul Castro was expected in a Fresno County Courtroom on Wednesday, but that hearing was later moved to November 10th.

Castro is accused of First Degree Murder of 4-year-old Alex Mercado. He has also been charged with four special circumstances associated with the murder. Those circumstances include murder during a child molestation, sodomy, kidnapping; and murder of a witness to prevent testimony.

Castro also faces separate felony charges of kidnapping, sodomy and child molestation.

The body of little Alex Mercado was found Saturday evening after a lengthy search through the town. Mercado was first reported missing by his family Friday at four p.m. and after searching  nearby canals and fields deputies returned to his housing project where his body was discovered in a neighbors home. The 14-year-old was immediately arrested for the crime.

On Monday it was revealed that Mercado's cause of death was drowning.

Castro is not eligible for the death penalty or a sentence of Life-Without-the-Possibility of Parole. The maximum penalty he could face is 32 years to life, plus 15 years.

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