Florida man Stephen Thomas Rodda accused of killing teen son with angle grinder gets arrested on September 4
LAKES WALES, FLORIDA: Florida man Stephan Thomas Rodda was detained on Monday, September 4, for allegedly murdering his 16-year-old son inside a mobile home in Polk County, Florida, using an angle grinder, said the sheriff's office.
His teenage son Stephen Lee Rodda was a student at Frostproof High School in the 11th grade.
The senior Rodda was described as "evil" by Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd at a press conference following the arrest.
Judd said, "It breaks our heart, there aren't adequate words to explain how horrific this event is."
How did Stephen Lee Rodda die?
While his grandma was receiving treatment, Lee Rodda was staying with his grandfather, Thomas Rodda, 67, at the mobile home to assist him.
Thomas, who left the house early on Monday to visit his wife in treatment, ran into the 37-year-old alleged murderer when he got home about 11 am.
Thomas informed investigators that when he went inside his mobile home, he discovered his grandson, Lee Rodda, "deceased in the dining room area."
As per FOX News, Florida man Stephan Rodda was apprehended after he tried to flee the crime scene in the 2500 block of Old Bartow Road in Lake Wales.
According to Judd, a preliminary investigation showed that the suspect killed his son with an angle grinder, an electric instrument used for cutting, grinding, and polishing objects.
The cause of the murder is still being looked into.
Referring to the kid, Sheriff Judd noted: "He was a great kid. He was to start work next week at Burger King to earn money to buy a car ... He was also studying to be an electrician. That was his dream in life."
Florida man who used methamphetamine had psychotic episodes
According to Judd, Florida man Stephan Rodda arrived at the Old Bartow Road home in Lake Wales about a month ago, after moving around the country.
The sheriff claimed that Stephan Rodda had gone to Washington, D.C., and Ohio and that he also had a South Carolina warrant out for his arrest, although Judd would not specify what the warrant was for.
Grandfather Thomas Rodda claimed that his son has taken methamphetamine since high school and has previously experienced psychotic episodes. He also said it was "not uncommon for his son to talk bizarre," per the authorities.
According to Judd, the father attempted to leave the county but was apprehended by deputies a mile from the house on Highway 60.
He was facing a specific charge, but it wasn't known what it was as of September 4 afternoon.