Wheatfield, Indiana news: Murder charges dropped against Steven Valle, Samantha Jo Sebella after bone fragments found in backyard

WHEATFIELD, Ind. (WLS) — The charges against two individuals accused of murder have been dropped after bone fragments were discovered in the backyard of their home in Northwest Indiana.

The video in the player above is from a previous report.

Investigators found the bones after searching a fire pit at the home in Wheatfield last year.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Steven Valle and Samantha Jo Sebella entered not guilty pleas to the charges back in October. Along with murder, they had also faced charges of neglect of a dependent, abuse of a corpse, obstruction of justice, and failure to report a dead body, according to officials.

In court Wednesday, a judge approved a motion to dismiss charges due to lack of evidence. The state is permitted to refile charges at later date.

“The cases against Steven Valle and Samantha Sebella have been dismissed, with the State reserving the right to refile charges if new evidence emerges,” stated defense attorney Mark Van Der Molen. “After a thorough review of all evidence in collaboration with Sabella’s defense attorney Brooke Scheurich, we have found no indication of any criminal activity. This dismissal ideally brings closure to the matter,” he added.

New details were revealed in court in October on what led to the arrest of Sebella and Valle as documents outlined an alleged confession.

In a probable cause affidavit, investigators said Valle told someone he knew, “I killed two of my kids.” He allegedly told that acquaintance, who later went to police, that he smothered the couple’s first-born child and drowned their second before burning both their bodies in their home’s fire pit.

The Jasper County Sheriff’s Office said the couple, who have a four-year-old son who was born at home and whose birth was never registered, initially told investigators they had no other children or ever experienced a miscarriage or still born birth. But on their phones, authorities said they found messages indicating Sebella could have been pregnant “on three separate occasions,” as well as several messages from her to Valle, calling him “Baby Killer.”

During a search of the home in October, two K-9 units alerted to the burn pit and to a pile of ashes near the garage. Investigators said they dug up bone fragments.

Two days later, Valle allegedly told investigators that twice in recent years Sebella gave birth alone at home, and that he found both babies dead shortly after they were born.

He told authorities he buried them in the backyard, only to dig them up years later to burn them in the fire pit.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

You May Also Like
ICE arrests in Chicago: Leaders call for investigation after multiple taken into custody in South Loop after receiving texts

After Receiving Texts, Multiple Individuals in South Loop Taken into ICE Custody in Chicago: Leaders Urge Investigation

CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago leaders are demanding an investigation after agents detained…
Florida teacher, 28, accused of sending lewd photo to middle school student via social media

Florida teacher, aged 28, alleged to have sent inappropriate picture to middle school student through social media

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! A Florida middle school…
What Time Will ‘BMF’ Season 4 Be on Starz? Release Date, Streaming Info, How To Watch

When does ‘BMF’ Season 4 premiere on Starz? Find out the release date, streaming details, and how to watch.

Hell. Yeah. After over a year of anticipation, the fourth season of…
Bomb threat grounds Spirit Airlines flight at Detroit Metro Airport: 'Potential security issue'

Spirit Airlines flight stopped at Detroit Metro Airport due to bomb threat: ‘Security concern’

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! A bomb threat led…
Who Plays Santi In ‘Stick’ On Apple TV+? Meet Peter Dager

Meet Peter Dager, the Actor Playing Santi in the Series ‘Stick’ on Apple TV+

Stick is a fresh comedy on Apple TV+ that will soon become…
Taylor Swift's WEDDING DAY revenge revealed! MAUREEN CALLAHAN knows why Blake Lively must be terrified

“The Truth Behind Taylor Swift’s Revenge on Her Wedding Day: Insights from Maureen Callahan on Blake Lively’s Fear”

Only the loss of one person, it seems, is enough to knock…
How To Watch The NBA Finals 2025: Channel, Start Times, Schedule, Streaming Info

Guide to Watching the NBA Finals 2025: Channel, Time, Dates, How to Stream

Here we go! The Oklahoma City Thunder host the Indiana Pacers in…
Musk offers stunning olive branch to Trump as bromance disintegrates and threatens to rip MAGA apart

Musk extends a generous offer to Trump as their friendship weakens and poses a risk to divide MAGA supporters.

Elon Musk seemed to make an effort to calm down the escalating…
Sirius XM fires Michelle Beadle after on-air rant over nemesis Stephen A. Smith taking her job

Sirius XM dismisses Michelle Beadle for on-air outburst about Stephen A. Smith replacing her.

Michelle Beadle and Cody Decker have been let go by Sirius XM,…
Cruise Shares Incredible Story of How He Landed ‘Rain Man,’ Hints at Life After ‘Mission: Impossible’

Tom Cruise Sets New World Record in Entertainment Industry

During the filming of the last installment of the “Mission: Impossible” series,…
NFL news: Former Green Bay Packers, New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers signs 1-year deal with Pittsburgh Steelers

Aaron Rodgers, ex-quarterback for the Green Bay Packers and New York Jets, agrees to a 1-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers – NFL update

PITTSBURGH — Aaron Rodgers and Mike Tomlin are taking their long-simmering bromance…
New: Supreme Court Hands Down Huge Ruling in Ohio 'Reverse Discrimination' Case

New Ruling from Supreme Court in Ohio Case of ‘Reverse Discrimination’

The Supreme Court handed down some pretty significant rulings on Thursday, with…