Two Charged In Jasper County For Murder
On the morning of September 20, 2024, the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office received a report that an individual had allegedly confessed to acquaintances about killing two of their undocumented children and burning their bodies in a backyard fire pit at their residence in Wheatfield. Detectives from the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office immediately launched an investigation into the matter. That same day, detectives located the suspect(s) at a hotel in Newton County and conducted interviews. Although the suspect(s) denied any involvement, their cellular devices were seized as evidence, and additional information was uncovered, according to the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office.
Following this new evidence, detectives sought out the suspect(s) again. When confronted with the new findings, the suspect(s) continued to deny knowledge of the incident. At this point, the child who was in their care was taken into protective custody by the Indiana Department of Child Services.
In the morning of September 30, 2024, the Jasper County Sheriff’s detectives, alongside personnel of the Jasper County Coroner’s Office, Indiana State Police, Wheatfield Police Department, and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, conducted a search of the property in Wheatfield with the assistance of two cadaver dogs. With the cooperation of the landowner and the current residents, the search began, and the cadaver dogs alerted to three separate locations on the property. A preliminary search at these locations uncovered partial bone fragments.
On October 3rd, 2024, detectives from the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Indiana State Police, conducted follow-up interviews with the suspect(s) involved in the case concerning searches of a Wheatfield yard. During these interviews, new information came to light, resulting in the arrest of the individuals. They were transported to the Jasper County Detention Center and held on probable cause.
The suspects have been identified as 31-year-old Steven N. Valle and 25-year-old Samantha J. Sebella, both of Wheatfield, Indiana.
On October 4th, 2024, a meeting was held at the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office with all involved agencies, and formal charges were filed as follows:
Steven N. Valle-
Murder (Level 1 Felony)
Neglect of a Dependent Causing Death (Level 1 Felony)
Abuse of a Corpse (Level 6 Felony)
Obstruction of Justice (Level 6 Felony)
Failure to Report a Dead Body (Class A Misdemeanor)
Samantha J. Sebella-
Murder (Level 1 Felony)
Neglect of a Dependent Causing Death (Level 1 Felony)
Abuse of a Corpse (Level 6 Felony)
Obstruction of Justice (Level 6 Felony)
Failure to Report a Dead Body (Class A Misdemeanor)
Please note that arrests and criminal charges are merely accusations. Every person is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. This case remains an active investigation involving multiple agencies.
