Madeline Soto, a 13-year-old girl, disappeared in February in Kissimmee, Florida. Her mother’s boyfriend, Stephan Sterns (37), was initially arrested for possessing child sexual abuse material and later charged with Madeline’s murder. Madeline’s mother, Jennifer Soto, told investigators that Sterns often slept in the same bed with her and Madeline, sometimes in just his boxers. Jennifer claimed she was “oblivious” to Sterns’ alleged sexual abuse of Madeline, which reportedly dated back to 2020. Investigators found photos and videos on Sterns’ phone allegedly showing him sexually abusing a child. Madeline’s body was found on March 1, and a medical examiner determined she died from strangulation. Sterns has pleaded not guilty to 60 counts of sexual abuse charges but his plea status for the murder charge is unclear.
