Stephen Thomas Rodda, a 37-year-old resident of Lake Wales in Polk County, Florida, was taken into custody on Monday, September 4. The arrest followed allegations that Rodda had fatally injured his 16-year-old son, Stephen Lee Rodda, using an angle grinder. The grim occurrence unfolded inside a mobile home and was later confirmed by Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.

The younger Rodda had aspirations of becoming an electrician and was living with his 67-year-old grandfather, Thomas Rodda. The reason for his stay was to lend a hand around the house while his grandmother was undergoing rehab. 

The following Monday morning, after visiting his wife in rehab, the grandfather, Thomas Rodda encountered his son, Stephen Thomas, outside the residence. The latter allegedly confessed to his actions, cautioning his father against entering the house and recommending contacting the police. The subsequent discovery confirmed the teenager’s death inside the home.

The authorities have identified the implement used in the incident as a heavy-duty saw. Stephen Thomas Rodda was detained by officers on Highway 60. This isn’t his first brush with the law, as he has an extensive criminal history and an active warrant in South Carolina. Sheriff Judd highlighted the father’s past entanglements with crime and substance abuse and acknowledged the tragedy’s toll on the Rodda family.

Sheriff Judd also paid tribute to the late Stephen Lee Rodda, who was enrolled at Frostproof High School. The teenager was about to start a position at Burger King, with plans to set aside earnings for a vehicle. The motives behind the tragic incident are currently under examination.