A Florida family is mourning the life of a teenage boy after he allegedly experienced a gruesome death at the hands of his father. Police in Lake Wales on Monday arrested Stephen Thomas Rodda, 37, who is accused of killing his son, 16-year-old Stephen Lee Rodda, in a brutal attack inside a mobile home. The teenager reportedly lived with his grandfather, Thomas Rodda, to help care for him while his grandmother was in a rehabilitation facility.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd addressed the media during a news conference on Monday. He explained that Thomas Rodda was reportedly visiting his wife when Stephen Lee Rodda allegedly killed his son. Judd said the accused killer has a criminal record and alleged he was a longtime drug user prone to "psychotic episodes."
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Stephen Thomas Rodda allegedly told his father he killed his son, Stephen Lee Rodda.
Judd explained that when Thomas Rodda returned home Monday, his son greeted him outside and told him not to go inside. He reportedly said, "I wouldn't go in there if I was you. I killed someone. You may need to call the police," Judd said during the media conference.
Thomas Rodda entered the home and found his grandson dead near the dining area.
It appeared the teen was killed in a savage attack.
The sheriff said although it was early in the investigation and things could change, investigators believed Stephen Thomas Rodda killed his son with an angle grinder, a handheld power tool.
Judd said the scene was heartbreaking. "There aren't adequate words to explain how horrific this event is," he said.
The father was reportedly wanted in South Carolina.
According to Judd, Stephen Thomas Rodda had just shown up in the area about a month ago. The father reportedly moved around often and spent time in Washington, DC, Texas, Ohio, and South Carolina. Judd said there was an active warrant for his arrest in South Carolina at the time of the killing, but the state allegedly would not extradite him.
The teen had a bright future.
Judd spoke highly of Stephen Lee Rodda, a junior at Frostproof Middle-Senior High School who hoped to be an electrician. He was getting ready to start a job at Burger King, where he planned to work to save money to buy a car. He was praised as a young man of character whose life was taken too soon.
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Loved ones took to social media to share the teen's story.
Friends started a GoFundMe account to help offset final expenses for Stephen Lee Rodda's mother, Stephanie McDaniel. The fundraiser has brought in more than $11,000, surpassing its $10,000 goal.
Kristin Ellis wrote on Facebook, "Please pray for my friend Stephanie McDaniel and her family. I'm absolutely heartbroken hearing about this and I can't even imagine what this family is going through right now but they need prayers for peace and comfort to help them get through this. My heart and prayers go out to everyone affected by this tragedy! I'm so sorry Steph!! "
Friend Kristin Huggins shared an emotional message on Facebook. "All my thoughts and prayers go out to My good friend Stephanie McDaniel and her family tonight. I can not imagine the unbearable unendurable pain she is right now over the loss of her son, my heart breaks for this family I have a son her sons age and I just can’t imagine this," she wrote. "Steph gods got Stephen and he is in great hands, the hands of our redeemer, it’s not where he is supposed to be tonight but he’s in a better place and gods got his hands on you to Mama helping you through this a little at a time.
"I can’t believe this is real. Either way I’m lifting you and your family in prayer for peace, comfort and to know that he is always with you all and he will guide you through this," she continued. "I dont know what is going today but I know if y’all need anything, anything at all Moises Rodriguez and I are here for y’all. R.I.P Stephen Lee Rodda."
Judd said during the news conference that Stephen Thomas Rodda left the crime scene but was arrested about a mile away. He is in custody, and the motive for the attack is still under investigation.
Judd described Stephen Thomas Rodda as evil. "This guy has been nothing but a problem to society for a very long time." He added that he intends to keep him in jail for the rest of his life.
It is unknown at this time whether the accused has obtained a lawyer or entered a plea.
