Florida officials confirmed that the body of Madeline Soto has been located.
The Kissimmee Police Department and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said the body of the 13-year-old, who disappeared on Monday, was found in a wooded area following a coordinated search near Hickory Tree Road.
Madeline’s family has been notified of the discovery.
In a press conference on Friday, Orange County Sheriff John Mina said detectives uncovered video evidence that led them to the area where they were “confident” the teenager’s body was located.
The mother’s boyfriend, Stephan Sterns, 37, is the prime suspect in the case, authorities said.
Authorities said Sterns was the last person confirmed to have seen Madeline on Monday morning.
Authorities said Madeline had just turned 13 when she was reported missing.
Police said Sterns was supposed to drop Madeline off at school that morning, but staff at Hunter’s Creek Middle School in Orlando said she never arrived.
“Our detectives have determined that Madeline was never dropped off near her school the morning of February 26,” Mina said. “Instead, we believe she was already dead at that time and that Stephan Sterns moved her body in the early hours of that day.”
During Friday’s press conference, Mina said video evidence shows Sterns disposing of items in a trash bin at the family’s apartment complex in Kissimmee at 7:35 a.m. Monday morning.
Later, investigators searched the trash bin and found Madeline’s backpack and her school-issued laptop.
Less than an hour after Sterns was seen disposing of items in the trash bin, 8:19 a.m. video shows Sterns returning to the apartment complex with Madeline visible in the car with him. Mina said investigators believe Madeline was already dead at that time.
On Wednesday, Kissimmee police arrested Sterns on charges of sexual battery and possession of child sexual abuse material.
Detectives wrote in a Facebook post that they “discovered those disturbing images and videos when they forensically examined Sterns’ phone. The review of his phone also revealed attempts to delete evidence.”
Detectives determined the documented sexual offenses occurred inside the family’s apartment.
Mina said as of Friday afternoon, Sterns “has not spoken to anyone” about the case.
Sterns is being held in the Osceola County Jail on sexual abuse charges. As of Friday afternoon, he has not been charged in Madeline’s death.
According to jail records, he is being held without bond.
Authorities have not said whether Madeline’s mother will face any charges, but Mina said she “is not a suspect in this case.”
The Kissimmee Police Department is leading the investigation as the primary agency.
Authorities are asking anyone with information about the case to call Kissimmee Police at 407-846-3333, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office at 407-254-7000, or submit an anonymous tip to Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS.
Image: Wflx
