Hispanic teen sentenced for the rape and murder of 4-year-old neighbor

Raul Castro, 15, has been sentenced for raping and murdering his 4 year-old neighbor Alex Mercado. Castro was given 25 years to life; 33 will be mandatory (25 for conviction and an additional 8 for the aggravated molestation). When 33 years are up, Castro will be eligible for parole. In April 2011, Castro was found guilty of sexually assaulting and drowning Mercado inside his home. After Castro raped Mercado, Mercado threatened to tell his mother. Castro then drowned him in the bath tub and hid his body in the dryer. Mercado’s body was found the next day.