Where’s Madeline Soto’s Stepfather Stephan Sterns now after the charges? The stepfather of Madeline Soto, the murdered Florida schoolgirl, is Stephan Sterns. Sterns, identified as Madeline’s stepfather in court documents, has been charged with sexual battery of a minor and possession of child sexual abuse material. Despite these charges, no charges have been filed in Madeline’s death, making Sterns a prime suspect in her disappearance and death. Here are the key facts to note about the case
Key facts about the case involving Madeline Soto, a 13-year-old Florida schoolgirl who went missing and was later found murdered, include:
- Madeline Soto’s Disappearance: Madeline Soto was reported missing on Monday, February 26, 2024, after she did not show up to school. She was last seen near Town Loop Boulevard and Hunter’s Park Lane in Orlando, Florida.
- Sterns’ Actions: According to video evidence, Stephan Sterns, Madeline’s stepfather, was seen throwing items into a dumpster at the Kissimmee apartment complex around 7:35 a.m. on the day she was reported missing. The sheriff’s office later found Soto’s backpack and her school-issued laptop in the dumpster. Sterns had reportedly dropped Soto off near school that day, but it was later revealed that he was instead spotted driving a vehicle with Soto’s body inside.
- Stephan Sterns’ Arrest: Stephan Sterns, the boyfriend of Madeline’s mother, Jenn Soto, was arrested on charges of sexual battery and possession of child sexual abuse material. Sterns was the last confirmed person to see Madeline on the morning of her disappearance.
- Discovery of Madeline’s Body: After a long search, Orange County deputies recovered Soto’s body from a wooded area off Hickory Tree Road in Osceola County. The discovery of her body led to the arrest of Sterns, who was considered a prime suspect in her disappearance and death
- Evidence Found on Sterns’ Phone: Detectives found “disturbing” images and videos on Sterns’ phone, which they believe were captured at the family’s home in Kissimmee, Florida. The images and videos were considered criminal and sexual in nature.
- Sterns Considered a Prime Suspect: Despite the arrest, Sterns has not been charged with Madeline’s disappearance or murder. However, he is considered a “prime suspect” in her disappearance and death.
- Madeline’s Description: Madeline Soto is described as a 5-foot-1, 110-pound girl with blonde hair and blue eyes. She was last seen wearing a green jacket, black shorts, and white Crocs.
- Search and Investigation: Over 100 personnel, including deputies, detectives, intelligence analysts, specialized personnel, and bloodhounds, have been deployed to search for Madeline. The search has focused on areas near Osprey Park and the woods behind Hunter’s Creek Middle School.
- Public Response: The Orange County Sheriff’s Office has thanked those wanting to help search for Madeline but has asked the public to avoid entering the search area, allowing the Emergency Response Team to handle the situation.
- Update on Madeline’s Death: A press conference by Orange County Sheriff John Mina revealed that Madeline Soto was killed by her mother’s boyfriend, Stephan Sterns, after five days of searching for the missing teenager.
Where’s Madeline Soto’s Stepfather, Stephan Sterns Now?
Stephan Sterns, the stepfather of Madeline Soto and the prime suspect in her disappearance and death, is currently in custody at the Osceola County Jail. Sterns waived his first court appearance, choosing not to have the charges read out in court. His lawyer’s decision to waive the appearance was reportedly to prevent the judge from detailing the charges against him. Sterns faces a total of 60 new charges, including eight counts of sexual battery on a child under 12, five counts of sexual battery with a child aged 12 to 18, seven counts of lewd and lascivious molestation, and 40 counts of unlawful possession of materials depicting sexual performance by a child, with 10 or more images. These charges were filed after disturbing images and videos were found on Sterns’ phone, leading to his arrest on sexual battery charges along with possession of child sexual abuse material 134.
The State Attorney’s Office has been working closely with the Kissimmee Police Department (KPD) to build a strong case against Sterns. The charges come just over two weeks after Madeline Soto’s body was found in a wooded area in rural Osceola County. The evidence against Sterns includes video footage showing him returning to the complex where Madeline was last seen, wearing clothing similar to what she was last seen in. Sheriff Mina stated during a press conference that they believe Madeline was already dead at the time Sterns was seen in the area.
Sterns is scheduled to be arraigned on the charges on April 2. The charges carry severe penalties, with sexual battery on a child under 12 being a capital felony, punishable by life in prison or death if convicted. The other charges carry sentences of up to life in prison, or 15 years in prison for each count.
The investigation into Madeline’s disappearance and death remains ongoing, with the Kissimmee Police Department leading the case. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office has turned over the case to Kissimmee Police, and they have provided video evidence showing Sterns attempting to cover his tracks after Madeline’s death.
Madeline Soto’s Stepfather and Her Mother’s Boyfriend Charges
Stephan Sterns, the boyfriend of Madeline Soto’s mother, has been charged with 60 counts related to child sexual abuse and possession of child pornography. These charges include:
Eight counts of sexual battery on a child under 12.
Five counts of sexual battery with a child aged 12 to 18.
Seven counts of lewd and lascivious molestation.
40 counts of unlawful possession of materials depicting sexual performance by a child, with 10 or more images.
These charges were filed after disturbing images and videos were found on Sterns’ phone, which led to his arrest on sexual battery charges along with possession of child sexual abuse material. Further investigation revealed more images and videos depicting criminal acts, leading to the additional charges. Sterns is currently being held without bond.
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