OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – Peace United Methodist Church held a vigil Wednesday night for 13-year-old Madeline Soto, who was found dead after being reported missing last week.
The church wanted to create a private space for the community to come together to process their grief.
Emanuel DeJesus and Adan Luciano, who knew of Soto from school, came to pay their respects.
They said her death sent shockwaves through Hunter’s Creek Middle School.
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“Everybody is in shock. Nobody expected that something like this would happen,” DeJesus said.
He said the environment in school has completely changed since they learned what happened.
“It was like a hole is missing ‘cause everybody at school even they’re like sad, on Monday and Friday like teachers were crying,” DeJesus said. “My second period teacher, she couldn’t even like talk because she was like distraught like she was crying giving instructions and she knew Maddie and her family also, she was one of her students.”
Soto went missing on Feb. 26.
According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, she was reportedly last seen when her stepfather Stephan Sterns dropped her off near the school and Peace Church.
He became the prime suspect in her disappearance and was arrested after detectives found disturbing pictures and videos on his cellphone.
Sterns is facing charges of sexual battery and possession of child sexual abuse material.
After a days-long search, Soto’s body was found in the woods of St. Cloud.
“I knew that she was a sweet girl, and she did not deserve this,” Luciano said.
Luciano said his sister was Soto’s close friend.
“She’s very upset because that was one of her friends,” Luciano said.
DeJesus said he noticed how her death has changed people.
“A piece of the community is missing ‘cause nobody is the same after what happened,” DeJesus said.
The boys said this has made them want to check in with their friends more.
They also mentioned their school is encouraging students to talk to guidance counselors if anything is happening at home, so they can help or prevent tragedies like this from happening.
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