‘Uncover every single fact:’ Investigation continues into Madeline Soto’s disappearance, death

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – An investigation into the disappearance and death of Madeline Soto, a 13-year-old Florida girl, continues as police work to “uncover every single fact,” according to an update from the Kissimmee Police Department.

Kissimmee Police Chief Betty Holland provided an update Thursday on the progress of the case.

Stephan Sterns, the 37-year-old boyfriend of Madeline Soto’s mother, is the prime suspect in Soto’s death, according to law enforcement, and the last person confirmed to have seen the girl alive.

When asked during the news conference whether the girl’s mother was considered a suspect or person of interest, Holland said, “Everyone (who) was close to Madeline is considered a suspect until we have proven otherwise.”

Soto was reported missing around 8 p.m. Feb. 26, one day after the girl’s 13th birthday, after Sterns claimed he dropped her off that morning near Hunter’s Creek Middle School, yet when Madeline’s mother arrived at the school around 4:30 p.m. to pick her up, she was told her daughter had never arrived at school that day.

Sterns was arrested on Feb. 28 after detectives said their investigation into Soto’s disappearance led them to “images and videos that were criminal, and sexual in nature” during a forensic examination of Sterns’ phone, which he claimed to have “accidentally” wiped via factory reset on the day Madeline was reported missing.

Holland described the investigation as “very intricate” and that they want to make sure they “uncover every single fact and the evidence.”

“We don’t want to put a timeline on it, basically, you know, because the detectives are very meticulous in what they do and we want to be sure that everything is uncovered that possibly can,” she said.

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Sterns is being held on without bond to face charges of sexual battery and possession of child sexual abuse materials as the search for Madeline continued, investigators said.

During a news conference on March 1, Orange County Sheriff John Mina said investigators were confident Soto was already dead, having been killed at her Kissimmee home before Sterns moved her body. Deputies then located Soto’s body that evening in a wooded area off Hickory Tree Road in Osceola County.

On March 12, the Orange-Osceola state attorney’s office announced it filed 60 new counts against Sterns, including counts of sexual battery on a child and molestation.

“Despite the arrest, our investigation into her disappearance remained ongoing. We understand the importance of thoroughly exploring every lead and piece of evidence,” Holland said.

She said the department is still waiting on the medical examiner’s report.

According to the clerk of courts office, Sterns’ arraignment is scheduled for April 2.