KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) — The longtime boyfriend of a central Florida mother whose teenage daughter was reported missing in February was charged Wednesday with the 13-year-old girl’s murder, officials said.
Stephan Sterns was charged with first-degree murder for the killing of Madeline Soto, according to court records filed in Osceola County on Wednesday.
Madeline Soto was reported missing Feb. 26 after her mother, Jennifer Soto, said she didn’t find the teenager when she went to pick her up from school. Her body was found in a wooded area several days later.
State Attorney Andrew Bain said at a news conference that prosecutors haven’t decided yet whether to seek the death penalty for Sterns. Bain wouldn’t say whether the teenager’s mother was suspected of wrongdoing, though Kissimmee Police Chief Betty Holland said that Jennifer Soto has cooperated with detectives throughout the investigation.
Sterns was being held in jail on no bond. The online court docket showed no defense attorney listed for Sterns for the murder charge.
Sterns already was facing dozens of charges of sexual battery on a child under 12 and unlawful possession of child sex abuse material related to Madeline Soto. He had been scheduled to be in court for those charges Wednesday, but his public defender filed a motion to delay the trial as they continue preparing their defense.
2025-04-20 06:451534 view
2025-04-20 06:132687 view
2025-04-20 04:39940 view
2025-04-20 04:27868 view
2025-04-20 04:08128 view
2025-04-20 04:061330 view
It's been a season full of twists and turns, but the part one for "Survivor" Season 47 finale proved
Lenny Kravitz always appears to exude confidence – whether he's on the red carpet, on stage holding
Bird flu has been detected in beef for the first time, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced