Osceola County, Florida – Stephan Sterns has been charged with the murder of 13-year-old Madeline Soto, nearly two months after her body was discovered in Osceola County. Sterns, the boyfriend of Madeline’s mother Jennifer Soto, was indicted by a grand jury on Wednesday with first-degree murder, according to court records and officials.
The indictment alleges that Sterns allegedly killed Soto between Feb. 25 and Feb. 27, 2024, and her body was found on March 1. Soto was reported missing on Feb. 26 after her mother went to pick her up from school, but she was not in class that day. Authorities believe she never made it to school.
Details about how Soto was killed or what happened to her have not been disclosed, including her autopsy report, as the investigation is ongoing. Kissimmee Police Chief Betty Holland stated at a press conference that evidence indicates that an individual entrusted to keep Madeline safe took calculated actions to dispose of her belongings and hide her body before she was reported missing.
Florida State Attorney Andrew Bain mentioned that Sterns will have his first court appearance in the coming days and emphasized that he is currently the only person charged in Soto’s death. There are no plea agreements on the table, and the case remains open and under investigation.
Regarding the possibility of facing the death penalty, Bain stated that prosecutors are still deliberating whether to seek it when the case goes to trial. Factors need to be considered to make this decision. The State Attorney’s Office announced that Sterns faces additional charges, including sexual battery, lewd and lascivious molestation, and possession of child pornography in a separate case.
Sterns was previously arrested by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office on Feb. 28 after alleged child sex abuse material was found on his cell phone, which was voluntarily provided to law enforcement. Court documents suggest that Sterns may have abused Maddie for years before her disappearance.
The trial for Sterns was initially scheduled for May 13 but was postponed to Aug. 19 after a continuance was granted. Sexual battery on a child under 12 is a capital felony and carries a life sentence upon conviction, while other charges could result in up to life in prison or 15 years per count. The investigation into Soto’s death continues, and Kissimmee Police is actively working on unravelling the events leading up to her tragic demise.