UPDATE: Madeline Soto, 13, Found Dead in Woods
Mother’s boyfriend arrested by Kissimmee police on unrelated charges
Florida teenager Madeline Soto, who was reported missing earlier this week, was found dead on Friday, authorities announced.
The 13-year-old’s remains were located around 4:30 p.m. in a wooded area in Osceola County with similar clothing she had on before she disappeared, according to police, WOFL reported. Police found the body after someone called in a tip, following a press conference earlier Friday.
At a press conference on Friday afternoon, Orange County Sheriff John Mina said that the police had obtained video evidence of Sterns discarding something in the trash of his apartment building early that morning. When they investigated the receptacle, police found the teenage girl’s backpack and laptop.
Orange County Sheriff John Mina told reporters on Friday that Madeline was likely already dead before Sterns hid her body that morning, ClickOrlando reported.
“We believe she was already dead at the time and that Stephan Sterns moved her body in the early morning hours on that day,” Mina said. “We have video evidence that shows Stephan Sterns discarding items in a dumpster in that apartment complex in Kissimmee at 7:35 a.m.”
“We have evidence that shows Stephan Sterns returning to the complex and Madeline was visible in that vehicle. We believe she was already dead at that time,” he said.
Orange County Sheriff’s Office posted on X, Twitter:
Orange County Sheriff’s Office
Sheriff Mina: Video evidence shows Stephan Sterns discarding items in a dumpster at the family’s Kissimmee apartment complex at 7:35 a.m. on Monday, February 26. Investigators later found Madeline’s backpack inside that dumpster. At 8:19 a.m., video shows Sterns returning to the complex with Madeline visible in the car. We believe she was already dead. Sterns is the boyfriend of Madeline Soto’s mother, and the last person to confirm seeing her the morning of February 26.
@kissimmeepolice will now take over the investigation as the lead agency.
On February 28, Kissimmee Police, working in conjunction with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, arrested 37-year-old Sterns for sexual battery and possession of child sexual abuse material. OCSO detectives discovered those disturbing images and videos when they forensically examined Sterns’ phone. The review of his phone also revealed attempts to delete evidence. It was determined the sexual crimes were committed at the family home in Kissimmee.
Stephen Soto is presently in jail.
“This is a sad day for our community and we mourn the loss of such a young life,” said Kissimmee Police Chief Betty Holland in a press release. The Kissimmee Police will take lead on Sterns’ sexual battery case.
