Detectives continue to investigate death of Bradenton boy on 4th birthday

MANATEE -- Detectives continue to investigate the death of a 4-year-old boy after preliminary autopsy results indicate what may have caused his death.

Manatee County Sheriff's Office deputies reported finding Alexander Marr unresponsive Sunday at a residence in the 700 block of 59th Avenue Terrace West, Bradenton. Alexander was pronounced dead at the scene.

Sunday was the boy's fourth birthday.

"We have an indication of what the cause of death is," sheriff's office spokesman Dave Bristow said. "We have that from the preliminary autopsy results."

Deputies said Alexander lived with his mother, Di

anna Marr, 32, and her boyfriend, Trevor Cardarelle, 25. No have been charges filed in connection with the child's death, which the sheriff's office said Tuesday was caused by "unexplained injuries."

The sheriff's office has a lot of investigators and the case is going to take some time, Bristow said. He would not comment on whether the child's family was cooperating with investigators. Marr's older child, a daughter, lives with her father, who declined comment.

Cardarelle was arrested at the home Sunday on a charge of violation of probation and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He is being held without bond.

Detectives said they found a Glock gun case with a loaded magazine inside and the boy's mother authorized a search of the home later during a recorded interview with detectives.

Bristow was unaware if a gun was recovered from the home, he said Wednesday.

The couple reportedly told detectives Cardarelle placed a magazine of ammunition in a safe when deputies arrived. Cardarelle admitted to being a convicted felon and said he knew he was not supposed to have possession of a gun or ammunition.

On April 1, Cardarelle pleaded no contest and was convicted of grand theft for stealing a BB gun, four cases of Bud Light and two packs of toilet paper, valued at $412 from a Walmart. He was sentenced to 18 months probation

Jessica De Leon, law enforcement reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7049. You can follow her on Twitter @JDeLeon1012.

This story was originally published April 16, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Detectives continue to investigate death of Bradenton boy on 4th birthday ."