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Madeline Soto: Suspect Stephan Sterns gets new trial date after judge grants defense's motion for more time

By Aurielle Eady
Updated  April 24, 2024 1:57pm EDT
Madeline Soto disappearance
FOX 35 Orlando

Madeline Soto: Judge grants motion to continue Stephan Sterns' pretrial

An Osceola County judge granted a motion to continue the pretrial for Stephan Sterns, who is currently facing 60 charges of child porn, sexual battery on a child and lewd or lascivious molestation. Sterns is the suspect in the disappearance and homicide of 13-year-old Madeline Soto, who was found dead in rural Osceola County on March 1. As of Wednesday morning, Sterns has not been charged in her death.

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. - UPDATE: Stephan Sterns has been charged for the murder of 13-year-old Madeline Soto. Click here for the latest news.

Original story continues below:

A new trial date has been set for Stephan Sterns after an Osceola County judge granted the defense's motion for more time during a pretrial hearing on Wednesday morning. 

Judge Keith Carsten granted the defense's request because they were not sufficiently prepared to move forward with a trial. The state indicated that they had no objection. 

The next pretrial is scheduled for July 10 at 1:30 p.m. with a new trial date set for Aug. 19 at 9 a.m.

MORE: Stephan Sterns not talking to detectives about Florida girl's death, Kissimmee PD says

Booking photo of Stephan Sterns from the Osceola County Jail. 

Sterns, who waived his appearance, again, is facing 60 charges of possession of child porn, sexual battery on a child and lewd or lascivious molestation. 

He is considered the prime suspect in the disappearance and homicide of his girlfriend's 13-year-old daughter, Madeline Soto. She was found dead in rural Osceola County on March 1. 

RELATED: 5 things we don't know about Florida teen's disappearance, homicide investigation

Pictured: Madeline "Maddie" Soto

Additional details regarding how Madeline died have not been released to the public. The medical examiner's office cited a state statute that prohibits the release of an autopsy report of a minor whose death is related to an act of domestic violence.