Video After The Jump
LAKE WALES, Fla. (10 Tampa Bay) — An arrest affidavit from the Polk County Sheriff's Office revealed more information about an ongoing homicide investigation involving a father accused of killing his 16-year-old son in Lake Wales.
Stephen Rodda, 16, was staying with his grandfather, Thomas Rodda, at a mobile home 60 to help out while his grandmother was in rehab.
The teen's father, 37-year-old Stephen Rodda, had returned to town about a month prior & was outside the home on Monday when the grandfather returned home from an outing. He reportedly told him, "I wouldn't go in there if I was you. I killed someone. You may need to call the police."
Thomas Rodda then entered the home to find his grandson dead in the kitchen-dining room area.
The affidavit explained law enforcement encountered a gruesome scene, with the teen being found with multiple deep cuts to his body & missing teeth. A broken handheld angle grinder was reportedly found next to the 16-year-old's body.
Stephen Rodda reportedly fled the scene & was arrested about a mile away.
During a recorded interview, the 37-year-old told authorities his son, who had just been killed, died years ago when he was little.
"During the course of the interview, the suspect showed no remorse or concern for the killing of his son...," the affidavit reads in part.
He was arrested for first-degree murder & was taken to the sheriff's processing center. His first appearance in court is set for Tuesday afternoon.
The 37-year-old has used methamphetamine since he was in high school & is known to have "psychotic" episodes, according to Judd. He also reportedly has extensive criminal histories in several states, including an arrest warrant in South Carolina.
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