Two Charged In Jasper County For Murder
UPDATE – A motion to dismiss by the State was filed today in Jasper County in the case alleging a couple buried their 2 undocumented children in their yard.
Courts records showed the case was set for Jury Trial on 2/10/2025. However Dr. Latham, the State’s anthropologist, indicated that she would not have her report and analysis completed in time for the scheduled Jury Trial. The discovery deadline for the trial was set for today 1/29/2025 and Dr. Latham would not have the report ready by today or by the trial date.
The State determined it is in the best interest of justice that the matter be dismissed for purposes of obtaining all results from Dr. Latham, to obtain information from outstanding search warrants, and for any additional follow up that may be necessary and/or refiling at a later date.
At this point then the State has failed to present any evidence to prove that a crime actually occurred, specifically, there is no physical evidence that these crimes occurred, no eyewitnesses that witnessed or saw the crimes occurring, and no key elements present to constitute a conviction for the crimes the State has charged.
The Defense stated Indiana’s corpus delicti rule “holds that a crime may not be proven based solely on a confession.”
The only evidence that links the Defendants to the alleged crime is the text messages between the Defendants. However, under the corpus delicti rule, the law requires that there be independent evidence, outside of the Defendant’s own statements, to prove that a crime has occurred. The State has failed to introduce sufficient independent evidence that the alleged crime took place. Without this foundational evidence, the Defendants cannot be convicted of the offense.
Original Article
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.
