Father Arrested for Shocking Murder of 16-Year-Old Son in Polk County Tragedy
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd didn’t mince words when he addressed the heart-wrenching incident that unfolded in Lake Wales.
A father, Stephan Thomas Rodda, aged 37, was arrested for the unthinkable act of taking the life of his own 16-year-old son on a fateful Monday afternoon. Sheriff Judd’s emotions were evident as he said, “It breaks our heart; there aren’t adequate words to explain how horrific this event is.”
The tragic event unfolded as investigators moved swiftly to apprehend Rodda after he attempted to flee the scene, desperate to leave Polk County. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded swiftly, descending upon a mobile home located in the 2500 block of Old Bartow Road, near North Acuff Road.
Sheriff Judd revealed that the victim, identified as Stephen Lee Rodda, was an 11th grader at Frostproof High School. Stephen had dreams of becoming an electrician and was staying with his grandfather at the mobile home, helping out while his grandmother was in rehab.
The grandfather left the home early that Monday morning to visit his wife in rehab, but when he returned around 11 a.m., he was confronted by a chilling confession from the suspect. The suspect warned the grandfather, “I wouldn’t go in there if I were you. I killed someone. You may need to call the police.”
According to Sheriff Judd, it wasn’t unusual for the suspect to utter “bizarre” statements. Authorities noted that the suspect had a history of using methamphetamine and had experienced psychotic episodes before.
As the grandfather entered the mobile home, he made the horrifying discovery of his grandson’s lifeless body. Preliminary findings from the investigation indicated that the suspect had used a heavy-duty angle grinder, a power tool, to carry out the heinous act.
Sheriff Judd expressed his deep dismay during a news briefing, stating, “To have this worthless individual murder his son is inexplicable.” The motive behind this brutal attack remains unknown and is currently under investigation.
Tragically, this incident marked the second occurrence of a parent killing their child in Polk County within just eight days, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. The previous case, which happened on August 27, involved a woman who killed her two children.
The suspect in Monday’s homicide case had a significant criminal history that is being scrutinized by the PCSO. He was also known for frequently relocating and had a minor arrest warrant pending from South Carolina.
Sheriff Judd offered poignant words in tribute to the young victim, saying, “The world lost a great young man today.” As for the evil father, Sheriff Judd vowed that they would do everything in their power to ensure he spends the rest of his life behind bars.
By: M Z Hossain, Editor Sky Buzz Feed
