Indiana – In a harrowing case out of Indiana, a couple has been arrested and charged with the murders of their two children, whom they killed and then burned in a fire pit at their home.
The 31-year-old father, identified as S. Valle, and the 25-year-old mother, identified as S. Sebella, face severe charges including murder, neglect of a dependent causing death, abuse of a corpse, and failure to report a dead body. Their arrest followed a disturbing investigation initiated by the sheriff’s office. The investigation began on September 20 after a horrifying confession was allegedly made to friends about killing two children and disposing of their bodies by burning them at their residence.
Authorities were alerted to the potential crime involving two “undocumented” children—referred to as such because they were likely born at home without formal documentation such as birth certificates or social security numbers. The report also mentioned that Valle had smothered his firstborn child and drowned his secondborn. Following the tip, law enforcement tracked down Valle and Sebella at a hotel. Despite their initial claims of innocence and lack of knowledge about the incident, their phones were seized for evidence. This action led to more in-depth investigations, which did not corroborate the couple’s claims of innocence.
On September 30, a major search operation was conducted at the property where the couple had previously lived but had been evicted earlier in the year. This search included the county coroner’s office, Indiana State Police, and two cadaver dogs. The dogs alerted to three separate locations on the property, where investigators discovered partial bone fragments. These fragments were sent to a specialist and were later confirmed to be human remains.
Further investigations led to more interviews with Valle and Sebella, during which “new information came to light” that prompted their arrest on October 3. They were then detained at the county’s detention center without bond. As the investigation deepened, analysis of Sebella’s phone uncovered distressing messages exchanged between the couple that implicated Valle in the killing and burning of their children. These messages included exchanges where Sebella accused Valle of killing their babies out of lack of love.
During a subsequent police interview, Valle provided a chilling confession. He recounted an incident from 2018 when Sebella gave birth to a male child while he was not at home. Upon returning, Valle found Sebella unconscious and the newborn allegedly unresponsive. He claimed that after cleaning the baby and waiting for three days without any signs of life, he buried the child in their backyard. Valle also confessed to a similar situation with a second child born prematurely in a bathtub. He claimed to find the child already deceased upon his arrival home and proceeded to bury this child next to the first.
Years later, Valle dug up the remains of both children and burned them in the backyard fire pit. He also said he even kept some of the ashes, intending to make a necklace. As the community reels from these gruesome revelations, Valle and Sebella await their legal proceedings. They have both been charged with the same charges, and a status hearing is set for October 16. The case continues to unfold as local law enforcement and the community struggle to come to terms with the heinous nature of the crimes committed.