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Florida teenager Madeline Soto, who was reported missing earlier this week, was found dead on Friday, authorities announced.
The 13-year-old’s remains were located around 4:30 p.m. in a wooded area in Osceola County with similar clothing she had on before she disappeared, according to police.
Madeline’s mother’s boyfriend Stephan Sterns, 37, has been named the “prime suspect” in the case. He was the last person to see her alive after she never showed up to school on Monday, when she was first reported missing.
Orange County Sheriff John Mina told reporters on Friday that Madeline was likely already dead before Sterns hid her body that morning, ClickOrlando reported.
“We believe she was already dead at the time and that Stephan Sterns moved her body in the early morning hours on that day,” Mina said. “We have video evidence that shows Stephan Sterns discarding items in a dumpster in that apartment complex in Kissimmee at 7:35 a.m.”
Footage shows Sterns driving his silver 2010 Lincoln MK car back to the apartment complex with Madeline’s lifeless body still in the vehicle after throwing out items in a dumpster, police said. He never dropped her off at school like he had previously told police.
Detectives found Madeline’s backpack and her school-issued laptop in the dumpster Friday morning, Mina said.
Sterns was arrested on Wednesday on unrelated charges of sexual battery and possession of child sexual abuse material stemming from a search of his phone that revealed “disturbing” images and videos.
He initially told cops he “accidentally” performed a factory reset on his phone the day she was reported missing, according to ClickOrlando.
Police said Sterns had told detectives he dropped Madeline off in front of a preschool at 8:40 a.m., blocks from the middle school she attended where classes start at 9:30 a.m.
Madeline’s mother went to pick up her daughter from school around 4:30 p.m. when she was told Madeline had not been at school that day, according to the sheriff’s office.
Sterns has not been charged in connection to Madeline’s death.
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Amanda Smith is a dedicated U.S. correspondent with a passion for uncovering the stories that shape the nation. With a background in political science, she provides in-depth analysis and insightful commentary on domestic affairs, ensuring readers are well-informed about the latest developments across the United States.
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