3 weeks ago
Florida constabulary apprehension fellow of missing teen's mom connected unrelated charges
Stephan Sterns, 38, was named a "prime suspect" successful nan February disappearance of his girlfriend's 13-year-old daughter, Madeline Soto, according to nan Orange County Sheriff's Office. Soto was recovered dormant not agelong aft his apprehension and Sterns was charged pinch first-degree execution connected Wednesday, April 24.
A Florida man arrested successful February during an investigation into nan disappearance and decease of his girlfriend's teenage girl has officially been charged pinch murder.
Osceola County Jail records show Stephan Sterns, 38, who was arrested connected Feb. 28 connected unrelated charges, was charged pinch first-degree execution connected Wednesday successful relationship pinch nan death of 13-year-old Madeline Soto.
Soto, who was recovered dormant connected March 1, was allegedly killed by Sterns sometime betwixt Feb. 25 and Feb. 27, according to nan indictment obtained by FOX 13 Tampa Bay.
"The grounds shows an individual that was entrusted to support Madeline safe made calculated moves to dispose Madeline's belongings and spot her assemblage successful a wooded area earlier she was ever reported missing," Kissimmee Police Chief Betty Holland said during a news convention Wednesday afternoon.
MADELINE SOTO DISAPPEARANCE: BOYFRIEND OF MISSING FLORIDA TEEN'S MOM ARRESTED, NAMED 'PRIME SUSPECT'
Stephan Sterns, 38, is charged pinch first-degree murder, among dozens of different intersexual charges, successful nan decease of his girlfriend's 13-year-old daughter, Madeline Soto. (Osceola County Jail)
Sterns, who was dubbed nan "prime suspect" successful Soto's disappearance successful February, was initially taken into custody for intersexual artillery and possession of kid sexual maltreatment material aft voluntarily turning his telephone successful to police.
A Digital Forensics Unit was capable to uncover that nan images and videos connected Sterns' telephone were "criminal and intersexual successful nature," nan Orange County Sheriff's agency said erstwhile announcing his arrest. Police did not opportunity if nan pictures and videos progressive Soto.
In March, he was besides charged pinch 8 counts of intersexual artillery of a kid nether 12, 5 counts of intersexual artillery pinch a kid aged 12 to 18, 7 counts of lewd and lascivious molestation and 40 counts of unlawful possession of materials depicting intersexual capacity by a child.
Court documents successful those cases implied Sterns whitethorn person abused Maddie for years starring up to her disappearance and death, according to FOX 13.
PRIME SUSPECT IN SOTO DISAPPEARANCE, KILLING FACES 60 NEW CHILD SEX CRIME CHARGES
Madeline "Maddie" Soto, 13, was recovered dormant connected March 1 aft she was allegedly past seen by her mother's fellow astatine astir 8:30 a.m. connected Monday, Feb. 26. (Orange County Sheriff's Office)
While nan only personification charged successful Soto's disappearance and decease arsenic of Wednesday is Sterns, nan investigation remains active, according to Will Jay, nan Homicide Unit main for nan State Attorney's Office for nan 9th Judicial Circuit.
Sterns was nan past personification to spot Soto connected Feb. 26, erstwhile he allegedly dropped her disconnected a fewer blocks distant from her schoolhouse that morning, according to constabulary during his February arrest.
When her mother went to prime her up astatine astir 4:30 p.m., she learned that Maddie ne'er made it wrong nan school that day.
Sterns was charged pinch first-degree execution successful Madeline Soto's decease connected Wednesday, April 24 – astir 2 months aft she was recovered dead. (Orange County Sheriff's Office)
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It has not yet been decided if nan death penalty will beryllium sought against Sterns, State Attorney Andrew Bain said Wednesday.
"That's a chat that we are still going to beryllium having for nan adjacent mates of weeks to make judge that we are making a ineligible determination that is due successful this case," Bain said erstwhile asked astir nan anticipation of nan decease penalty.
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Sterns remains successful nan Osceola County Jail pinch nary bond.
