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 primary suspect in her disappearance, per a number of studies.
Please Share! A Florida MISSING CHILD Alert has been issued for 13-year-old Madeline Soto final seen in Orlando. If you’ve gotten any info, please contact the Orange County Sheriff’s Office at 407-254-7000 or 911. pic.twitter.com/P3DPplQo7p
— FDLE (@fdlepio) February 27, 2024
Mom’s BF Arrested For Possessing “Disturbing” Child Content
On Wednesday, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office arrested Sterns after uncovering inappropriate little one content material on his telephone. They’ve charged Sterns with sexual battery and possession of kid sexual abuse materials, per NBC News.
Authorities uncovered the inappropriate materials whereas investigating Madeline Soto’s disappearance. Detectives on the case say Stephan had “disturbing images” and “criminal and sexual in nature” movies on his telephone.
It’s unclear if the content material present in Sterns telephone options his girlfriend’s 13-year-old daughter. However, forensics decided that the crimes in his telephone 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 in a position to retrieve it.
Sterns’ arrest isn’t in direct connection to Madeline’s disappearance. Nonetheless, given this improvement, police have now named him a primary 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 just a few blocks from her faculty, Hunters Middle School in Orlando, Florida, Sheriff John Mina revealed.
But when her mom went to scoop her after faculty, she was advised her daughter didn’t attend on Monday. That night time, police started the seek for the teenager. The blond-haired, blue-eyed little one was final carrying a inexperienced sweatshirt, black shorts and white Crocs.
So why wasn’t she dropped off in school? Mina stated the kid was possible “embarrassed” by her stepfather’s car.
Kissimmee and Orange County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) officers interrogated Stephan Sterns on Wednesday night time. But Sterns selected to invoke his proper to a lawyer earlier than police subsequently arrested him.
“Stephan Sterns had an opportunity tonight to come clean with detectives and help lead them to information about Maddie’s disappearance,” OCSO Sheriff Mina stated. “Her loved ones deserve answers and OCSO and the Kissimmee Police will not stop until we find Maddie.”
MAJOR DEVELOPMENT within the case of lacking 13-year-old Madeline Soto:
This night, the Kissimmee Police Department, working along with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, arrested Stephan Sterns, 37, for sexual battery and possession of kid sexual abuse materials.… pic.twitter.com/yZn8O8JpYM— Orange County Sheriff’s Office (@OrangeCoSheriff) February 29, 2024
Police Also Exploring Another Reason For Maddie’s Disappearance
Police have additionally been investigating one other doable various: that Madeline ran away. A search of her mobile phone, which was recovered from the household residence Monday, exhibits she beforehand expressed the need to “live in 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 faculty, have come up empty.
It’s unclear if Madeline’s mom has been involved with Stephan Sterns since his arrest.
RELATED: Missing N.C. Teen Rescued After Using Hand Gestures She Learned From TikTook To Signal For Help