The search for missing 13-year-old Madeline Soto has ended in tragedy, as her body was found on Friday afternoon (around 4:30 p.m.) in a wooded area in Osceola County, Florida.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the discovery and said the case is now a homicide investigation. The prime suspect in her disappearance and death is Stephan Sterns, the 37-year-old boyfriend of her mother, Jennifer Soto.
Madeline Soto was last seen alive on Monday morning, Feb. 26, when Sterns claimed he dropped her off near her school in Hunter’s Creek. However, video evidence showed that Sterns was lying and that he had Madeline’s body in his vehicle that day. He was also seen discarding items, including her backpack and laptop, in a dumpster behind their apartment complex in Kissimmee.
The victim’s mother’s boyfriend was arrested on Wednesday night on charges of sexual battery and possession of child sexual abuse material, after detectives found disturbing images and videos on his phone. Some of the videos were recorded in the family’s home in Kissimmee, where authorities believe Madeline Soto was killed.
Stephan Sterns has not cooperated with the investigation and has asked for an attorney. He is currently being held in the Orange County Jail without bond. He is facing additional charges of murder, kidnapping, and tampering with evidence.
Madeline’s mother, Jennifer Soto, has not been charged in the case, but has been questioned by detectives.