Madeline Soto missing: Florida mom begs for daughter's safe return home
Full interview: Jenn Soto, Madeline Soto's mom, talks daughter's disappearance with FOX 35
Jenn Soto, Madeline Soto's mom, spoke to FOX 35's Hannah McKenzie this week about the disappearance of her 13-year-old daughter. "Maddie" Soto has been missing since Feb. 26, days after her 13th birthday, and hous after she was dropped up at school. Jenn Soto's boyfriend, Stephan Sterns, dropped Maddie near the school, but the girl never made it to class.
ORLANDO, Fla. - The body of 13-year-old Madeline Soto was found in a grassy area in Osceola County, Florida five days after she was reported missing, officials said. Her mom's boyfriend, Stephen Sterns, is considered a "prime suspect" in her disappearance. He has been charged with dozens of charges related to sexual abuse. Click here for the latest updates on the investigation.
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A mother in Orange County is begging for help locating her missing daughter.
Madeline ‘Maddie’ Soto was last seen on Monday, one day after she and her family celebrated her 13th birthday. Maddie’s mother, Jenn Soto, said surveillance video shows Maddie hanging out in a church parking lot on February 26 after being dropped off for school, but she never made it inside.
"I’m trying to hope for the best, but I’m scared for her," said Jenn Soto. "I want her to be okay; I want her to be safe… I don’t want her to come back harmed. I just want her back – whatever that means, I just want her back."
Jenn Soto said sheriff’s deputies are using K9s and a piece of Maddie’s clothing to try to track her scent near Town Loop Boulevard.
According to Jenn Soto, Maddie had never run away before. She said the teen had forgotten her cell phone at home that morning, but that was normal.
As of Wednesday morning, various search teams are out searching for Maddie.
SKYFOX flew over an area of Osprey Park near Hunter's Creek, where multiple crews were seen looking for the teen.
SKYFOX flew over an area of Osprey Park near Hunter's Creek where multiple crews were seen looking for missing Orange County teenager, Madeline "Maddie" Soto, Wednesday morning.
More than 50 members of the Orange County Sheriff's Office's emergency response team are conducting searches in various areas as detectives continue to canvas, conduct interviews, and follow any possible leads.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) has issued a Florida Missing Child Alert for Maddie.
Maddie is 5’1 and weighs around 110 pounds. She was last seen wearing a green jacket, black shorts, and white Crocs. She has a mole on the left side of her nose and the right side of her chin.
If you’ve seen Maddie or know where she is, contact the Orange County Sheriff’s Office at (407) 254-7000.