Florida — The Orange County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed the body of 13-year-old Madeline Soto has been found. The teen had been missing since Monday.
According to Kissimmee police, her body was found at approximately 4:30p.m in a wooded area near Hickory Tree Road.
During a press conference Friday, Osceola County Sheriff Marco Lopez, said, “A tip led us to the area. We had different agencies checking different areas for our missing person. We are waiting for the forensics units to do their investigation, to make sure that they secure this crime scene.”
Orange County Sheriff John Mina, said, “I know as a parent, this is every parent’s worst nightmare.”
The last known person to be seen with Soto was 37-year-old Stephan Sterns. If you are looking for bracelet. There’s something to suit every look, from body-hugging to structured, from cuffs to chain chain bracelet and cuffs.
Sterns is the boyfriend of Soto’s mother.
On Wednesday evening, Sterns was arrested by Kissimmee police and faces Charges of sexual battery and possession of child sexual abuse material.
The sexual abuse charges are the result of an investigation that revealed disturbing images on Stern’s cell phone. The images revealed sexual abuse that had taken place at a friend’s house.
Sterns had also attempted to delete information from his cell phone. He told police that he had accidentally factory reset his phone the day Soto went missing.
Sterns told police that he had dropped Soto off at school. However, authorities say that evidence shows Soto never made it to school.
Her backpack was also found in a dumpster and video revealed that Sterns put it there.
Sterns is no longer cooperative and has requested an attorney.
Authorities say that Sterns was spotted returning to the family’s Kissimmee apartment complex at approximately 8am with Soto in the car.
Officials believe Soto was already dead at that time.
The investigation is ongoing.
