Madeline Soto, a 13-year-old from Florida, has been lacking since Monday (Feb. 26). Now, her mom’s boyfriend, Stephan Sterns, is reportedly a chief suspect in her disappearance, per a number of experiences.
Please Share! A Florida MISSING CHILD Alert has been issued for 13-year-old Madeline Soto final seen in Orlando. When you have any data, please contact the Orange County Sheriff’s Workplace at 407-254-7000 or 911. pic.twitter.com/P3DPplQo7p
— FDLE (@fdlepio) February 27, 2024
Mother’s BF Arrested For Possessing “Disturbing” Baby Content material
On Wednesday, the Orange County Sheriff’s Workplace arrested Sterns after uncovering inappropriate little one content material on his cellphone. They’ve charged Sterns with sexual battery and possession of kid sexual abuse materials, per NBC Information.
Authorities uncovered the inappropriate materials whereas investigating Madeline Soto’s disappearance. Detectives on the case say Stephan had “disturbing photographs” and “legal and sexual in nature” movies on his cellphone.
It’s unclear if the content material present in Sterns cellphone options his girlfriend’s 13-year-old daughter. Nonetheless, forensics decided that the crimes in his cellphone have been dedicated at their household residence in Kissimmee, Florida. Stephan Sterns had reportedly made makes an attempt to delete the content material, however police have been capable of retrieve it.
Sterns’ arrest isn’t in direct connection to Madeline’s disappearance. Nonetheless, given this growth, police have now named him a chief suspect whereas she stays lacking.
What Police Know About Madeline Soto’s Disappearance
Stephan Sterns was reportedly the final particular person to see Madeline Soto at about 8:30 a.m. Monday. The 37-year-old dropped Madeline Soto off a number of blocks from her college, Hunters Center Faculty in Orlando, Florida, Sheriff John Mina revealed.
However when her mom went to scoop her after college, she was advised her daughter didn’t attend on Monday. That evening, police started the seek for the teenager. The blond-haired, blue-eyed little one was final sporting a inexperienced sweatshirt, black shorts and white Crocs.
So why wasn’t she dropped off in school? Mina mentioned the kid was possible “embarrassed” by her stepfather’s automobile.
Kissimmee and Orange County Sheriff’s Workplace (OCSO) officers interrogated Stephan Sterns on Wednesday evening. However Sterns selected to invoke his proper to a lawyer earlier than police subsequently arrested him.
“Stephan Sterns had a possibility tonight to come back clear with detectives and assist make them details about Maddie’s disappearance,” OCSO Sheriff Mina mentioned. “Her family members deserve solutions and OCSO and the Kissimmee Police is not going to cease till we discover Maddie.”
MAJOR DEVELOPMENT within the case of lacking 13-year-old Madeline Soto:
This night, the Kissimmee Police Division, working along with the Orange County Sheriff’s Workplace, arrested Stephan Sterns, 37, for sexual battery and possession of kid sexual abuse materials.… pic.twitter.com/yZn8O8JpYM— Orange County Sheriff’s Workplace (@OrangeCoSheriff) February 29, 2024
Police Additionally Exploring One other Cause For Maddie’s Disappearance
Police have additionally been investigating one other attainable different: that Madeline ran away. A search of her cellphone, which was recovered from the household residence Monday, reveals she beforehand expressed the need to “stay within the woods” after turning 13. Her thirteenth birthday was on Feb. 22, simply days earlier than she disappeared.
Search efforts, together with in some woods close to her college, have come up empty.
It’s unclear if Madeline’s mom has been in touch with Stephan Sterns since his arrest.
