Mother’s boyfriend is suspected of moving her body
The Orange County Sheriff’s office declared on Friday that Madeline Soto, 13, had been reported missing and that the investigation had reached a sad end. Her body was discovered at 4:30 p.m. local time, lying in a wooded area off Hickory Tree Road in Florida. This heartbreaking development brought an end to days of anxious waiting and extensive search efforts by law enforcement agencies.
Madeline Soto was last seen on February 26, wearing a green sweatshirt, black shorts, and white Crocs shoes. Her sudden disappearance sent shockwaves through the community, prompting an immediate and widespread search operation. The news of her discovery has left her family, friends, and the wider community in mourning.
Adding to the tragedy, Madeline’s mother’s boyfriend, Stephan Sterns, emerged as a central figure in the investigation. Sterns, 37, was arrested on charges of sexual battery and possession of child sexual abuse material, unrelated to Madeline’s disappearance. He was reportedly the last person to have seen her alive, leading authorities to consider him a prime suspect in the case.
Jail records revealed disturbing details, indicating that Sterns had attempted to delete evidence from his phone, further raising suspicions against him. Law enforcement officials have been tirelessly working to piece together the events leading up to Madeline’s disappearance and subsequent demise.
Sheriff John Mina, leading the investigation, disclosed that detectives uncovered crucial video evidence that ultimately led them to the location where Madeline’s body was found. The collaborative efforts of the Kissimmee Police Department and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office played a vital role in the search operation.
Despite the grief and anguish surrounding Madeline’s untimely death, her mother has been excluded as a suspect in the ongoing investigation. The focus remains on unraveling the circumstances surrounding Madeline’s disappearance and holding accountable those responsible for her tragic fate.
As the community mourns the loss of a young life, authorities continue to urge anyone with pertinent information to come forward. The pursuit of justice for Madeline Soto remains paramount as her memory lives on in the hearts of those who knew her.
The discovery of Madeline Soto’s body on February 28 marked a solemn conclusion to days of tireless search efforts, leaving a community grappling with grief and demanding answers in the wake of this heartbreaking tragedy.