Mother's Boyfriend Suspected of Murdering 13-Year-Old Madeline Soto Allegedly Abused Her 2 Years Ago

 

 

Madeline Soto, the 13-year-old Florida girl found dead five days after going missing, was sexually abused two years before vanishing, according to court documents cited in multiple reports.

Before her body was found, Stephan Sterns, 37, who is dating Madeline’s mother, was arrested and charged with sexual battery and possession of child sexual abuse material, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office says.

WESH, WFLA and FOX 35 report that, in an arrest affidavit, police allege that Sterns had abused Madeline in 2022, when she was 11 years old.

The reported affidavit also alleges that police found photos and videos of Sterns sexually abusing a child victim after searching his phone

PEOPLE wasn't able to immediately reach the public defender representing Sterns. Court records show he has not been arraigned on those charges.

Sterns has not been charged in connection with Madeline’s death, but authorities consider him the prime suspect in her disappearance.

Madeline’s body was found in a wooded area in Osceola County on Friday after a five-day search, according to officials. She had just turned 13 on Feb. 22, according to the Orlando Sentinel

It was believed that Madeline was last seen on her way to school, Orange County Sheriff John Mina previously said. Detectives allegedly determined that Madeline was never dropped off by Sterns.

"Instead, 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 Stephen Sterns discarding items in a dumpster in that apartment complex in Kissimmee at 7:35 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 26.”