Mother’s BF Arrested After Florida Teen Madeline Soto Goes Lacking

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 chief suspect in her disappearance, per a number of stories.

Please Share! A Florida MISSING CHILD Alert has been issued for 13-year-old Madeline Soto final seen in Orlando. When you have any info, please contact the Orange County Sheriff’s Workplace at 407-254-7000 or 911. pic.twitter.com/P3DPplQo7p

— FDLE (@fdlepio) February 27, 2024

Mother’s BF Arrested For Possessing “Disturbing” Little one Content material

On Wednesday, the Orange County Sheriff’s Workplace 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 Information.

Authorities uncovered the inappropriate materials whereas investigating Madeline Soto’s disappearance. Detectives on the case say Stephan had “disturbing photographs” and “legal 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. Nevertheless, forensics decided that the crimes in his telephone had been dedicated at their household residence in Kissimmee, Florida. Stephan Sterns had reportedly made makes an attempt to delete the content material, however police had been in a position to retrieve it.

Sterns’ arrest isn’t in direct connection to Madeline’s disappearance. Nonetheless, given this growth, police have now named him a chief 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 a number of blocks from her faculty, Hunters Center Faculty in Orlando, Florida, Sheriff John Mina revealed. 

However when her mom went to scoop her after faculty, she was instructed her daughter didn’t attend on Monday. That evening, 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 mentioned the kid was seemingly “embarrassed” by her stepfather’s automobile.

Kissimmee and Orange County Sheriff’s Workplace (OCSO) officers interrogated Stephan Sterns on Wednesday evening. However Sterns selected to invoke his proper to a lawyer earlier than police subsequently arrested him.

“Stephan Sterns had a possibility tonight to come back clear with detectives and assist make them details about Maddie’s disappearance,” OCSO Sheriff Mina mentioned. “Her family members deserve solutions and OCSO and the Kissimmee Police is not going to cease till we discover Maddie.”

MAJOR DEVELOPMENT within the case of lacking 13-year-old Madeline Soto:
 
This night, the Kissimmee Police Division, working together with the Orange County Sheriff’s Workplace, arrested Stephan Sterns, 37, for sexual battery and possession of kid sexual abuse materials.… pic.twitter.com/yZn8O8JpYM

— Orange County Sheriff’s Workplace (@OrangeCoSheriff) February 29, 2024

Police Additionally Exploring One other Cause For Maddie’s Disappearance

Police have additionally been investigating one other potential different: 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 “stay within 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: Lacking N.C. Teen Rescued After Utilizing Hand Gestures She Discovered From TikTok To Sign For Assist