POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A father is accused of killing his 16-year-old son at a home in the Lake Wales area on Monday, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies were called to a home in the 2500 block of Old Bartow Road.
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At a news conference, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said Stephen Thomas Rodda, 37, faces a first-degree murder charge in the death of his son, Stephen Rodda.
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Stephen Rodda was a junior at Frostproof High School and was studying to be an electrician, according to Judd.
“That was his dream in life,” Judd said. “Stephen Rodda, who is 16 years of age, was a great kid. Not just a good kid, but a great kid.”
Here are photos of 16 year old Stephen Lee Rodda, provided to PCSO from the family. Stephen is standing in the middle of his brothers and sister. His brothers’ names are Matthew and Logan, and his sister’s name is Elizabeth. pic.twitter.com/4kam6olIYv
— Polk County Sheriff 🚔 Grady Judd (@PolkCoSheriff) September 4, 2023
According to Judd, Stephen Rodda was living with his grandfather to help him out while his grandmother was in rehab.
Judd said his father, Stephen Thomas Rodda, moved around a lot and “just showed up a month ago,” but also had an outstanding warrant from South Carolina.
Deputies said that the grandfather left the home to visit his wife Monday morning and when he returned, Stephen Thomas Rodda met him outside and said, “I wouldn’t go in there if I was you. I killed someone. You may need to call the police.”
According to Judd, when the grandfather entered the home, he found his grandson dead in the kitchen area.
“It appears that our suspect, Stephen Thomas Rodda, used an angle grinder to kill his son,” Judd said.
Judd said the suspect took off after confessing to family and was arrested on Highway 60 as he attempted to leave the area.
A judge denied bond for Rodda during a first appearance Tuesday.
Deputies said they do not know what led Stephen Thomas Rodda to attack and kill his son.
“We know that he’s got an extensive criminal history. We know that he’s an evil, evil person,” Judd said.
The sheriff’s office said he’s been arrested in Florida, Louisiana, Ohio and South Carolina.
This comes a week after a Polk County mother killed her two children and herself in an apparent murder-suicide on Aug. 27, according to deputies.
“In just eight days’ time, we have another parent that has murdered their child,” Judd said.
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