Mom’s BF Arrested After Florida Teen Madeline Soto Goes Missing

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 first-rate suspect in her disappearance, per a number of experiences.

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” Youngster Content material

On Wednesday, the Orange County Sheriff’s Workplace arrested Sterns after uncovering inappropriate youngster content material on his cellphone. 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 pictures” and “prison and sexual in nature” movies on his cellphone.

It’s unclear if the content material present in Sterns cellphone options his girlfriend’s 13-year-old daughter. Nonetheless, forensics decided that the crimes in his cellphone 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 improvement, police have now named him a first-rate suspect whereas she stays lacking.

What Police Know About Madeline Soto’s Disappearance

Stephan Sterns was reportedly the final individual 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 college, Hunters Center College in Orlando, Florida, Sheriff John Mina revealed. 

However when her mom went to scoop her after college, she was instructed her daughter didn’t attend on Monday. That night time, police started the seek for the teenager. The blond-haired, blue-eyed youngster was final sporting a inexperienced sweatshirt, black shorts and white Crocs.

So why wasn’t she dropped off at college? Mina stated the kid was probably “embarrassed” by her stepfather’s car.

Kissimmee and Orange County Sheriff’s Workplace (OCSO) officers interrogated Stephan Sterns on Wednesday night time. 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 stated. “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 along side 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 various: that Madeline ran away. A search of her cellular phone, which was recovered from the household residence Monday, exhibits she beforehand expressed the will to “dwell 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 college, have come up empty.

It’s unclear if Madeline’s mom has been involved with Stephan Sterns since his arrest.

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