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‘Keep your children close,' says mother of teenage boy fatally stabbed in Sanford

SANFORD, Fla. — A 20-year-old man was arrested Wednesday morning in connection with the fatal stabbing of a 16-year-old boy, the Sanford Police Department said.

Justin Seale was booked into the John E. Polk Correctional Facility and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of Kaleb Rabun, Sanford police spokeswoman Bianca Gillett said.

Sanford police later submitted an amended charging document, which recommended a felony murder charge in lieu of first-degree premeditated murder.

Investigators were called at about 4 p.m. to the Stonebrook Apartments on West Airport Boulevard near Old Lake Mary Road after Rabun was found unresponsive near a parking lot, Gillett said.

Rabun's friends -- Jamel Berry and Joshua Davis -- told investigators the trio met Seale at the complex to rob him and steal his drugs, Gillett said. She said the boys didn't live there.

Police said Rabun sat in Seale’s vehicle and the pair got into a fight. Rabun walked out of the vehicle after being stabbed and he collapsed nearby, detectives said.

Firefighters tried to save him, but he died at the apartment complex, investigators said.

Sanford police Chief Cecil Smith said in an emailed statement Wednesday that Rabun's death is heartbreaking and untimely.

"At 16, our young adults should be focused on enjoying high school, friends, family, and thinking about their future," Smith said. "I encourage all parents to talk to their children about how one bad decision can quickly have devastating consequences."

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Seminole County Superintendent Walt Griffin said that grief counselors would be at Seminole High School Wednesday because Rabun attended the school.

"Seminole County Public Schools ... grieves for the family and entire Sanford community," Griffin said. "There are no words to describe the tragic loss of a young life taken so soon."

Seale was arrested at his Longwood home. His public defender questioned the first-degree murder charge based on the evidence and circumstances laid out in the affidavit.

“I’m looking at it and I see three kids who got together to admittedly rob the defendant,” said the public defender.

A judge said there’s still probable cause, and police said their investigation is ongoing.

WFTV legal analyst Bill Sheaffer said Seale could have a valid self-defense claim because the teens admitted to having the intent of robbing him.

Sheaffer said it's also possible the two teen witnesses could face felony charges because they were there to commit a crime, and Rabun ended up being killed.

But WFTV legal analyst and former chief judge Belvin Perry said any possibility of a self-defense claim could depend on who the aggressor was during the fight in Seale's car.

Rabun's mother released a statement that said, "Kaleb James Rabun was a beautiful soul, a gentle giant. Never in a million years did we see this coming. Today, I am grievously mourning the loss of my only child. Parents please hug, love, and keep your children close."​

Seale was freed from jail Wednesday night aftering paying a $15,000 bail.

Anyone with information about the stabbing is asked to call Sanford police 407-688-5070 or Crimeline at 407-423-8477.