Madeline Soto: Timeline, everything we know so far about Florida teen's disappearance, homicide investigation
ORANGE COUNTY, 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.
The body of Madeline Soto was found the afternoon of March 1 in St. Cloud after a week-long search. The 13-year-old's body was found off Old Hickory Tree Road in Osceola County at around 4:30 p.m., officials said. The body was wearing clothing similar to what she was last wearing.
The Hunter's Creek Middle School student was last seen at 8:30 a.m. on Feb. 26 when her mother's boyfriend took her to school. Jennifer Soto, however, discovered later that day that her daughter had never made it to school that day.
Days later, Jenn Soto's boyfriend , Stephan Sterns, was made the "prime suspect" in Madeline Soto's disappearance and was arrested on unrelated charges regarding sexual battery and child sex abuse material found on his phone.
Officials said Sterns, who remains in custody in Osceola County, allegedly moved her body.
Here's a timeline of everything we know about Madeline Soto's case (in chronological order). This story will be updated with the latest developments as we get them.
Sunday, Feb. 25: Madeline Soto's 13th birthday celebration
Madeline Soto turned 13 on Feb. 22, and she celebrated with her family on Sunday, Feb. 25, her mother Jennifer Soto told FOX 35 in an interview earlier this week.
"She was so happy. She showed us all her gifts. She's just a happy girl, and she showed it on Sunday. When she went to bed, she was so happy," Jenn Soto said.
Madeline Soto celebrates her 13th birthday. (Photo: Jenn Soto)
At the time, Jenn Soto said there wasn't a moment in the day that her daughter was having conversations – on her phone or laptop – or making plans for Monday.
Monday, Feb. 26: Madeline Soto was last seen at 8:30 a.m., didn't make it to school
On Monday morning, Jenn Soto's boyfriend, Stephan Sterns, 37, drove Madeline Soto to school. Sterns dropped her off a few blocks from Hunter's Creek Middle School near Peace United Methodist Church on Town Loop Boulevard, about a half-mile from the school.
It remains unclear why she was dropped off at this location, but Sheriff Mina said it's possible she was "embarrassed" by the vehicle she was in and asked her mom's boyfriend to be dropped off at that location.
"Why not drop her off at the school?" Sheriff Mina asked during Wednesday's press conference, adding that the sheriff's office is looking into it.
When Jenn Soto went to pick up her daughter at school on Monday afternoon, she discovered Madeline Soto had never set foot inside the school that day.
Tuesday, Feb. 27: Madeline Soto's missing poster was released, officials begin search
The Orange County Sheriff's Office began to search for Madeline Soto on Tuesday. Sheriff John Mina said over 100 personnel – including deputies, detectives, intelligence analysts, specialized personnel, and bloodhounds – were out searching for the missing teenager.
Deputies and Soto's have passed out flyers in the area to notify people of the ongoing search. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement also added Madeline Soto to their current missing child alerts and has listed her as "endangered."
Here's what that means, according to FDLE: "A juvenile who is missing under circumstances indicating that the juvenile's physical safety is in danger, such as a predatory abduction or kidnapping."
An Amber Alert has not yet been issued for Soto. These kinds of emergency alerts are triggered when law enforcement has a well-founded belief, based on an active investigation, that a kidnapping has occurred, according to FDLE. There could also be a well-founded belief that the missing child is in imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury.
"We don't know if she was taken. We don't know if she stepped away. She left her phone at the house," Sheriff Mina said.
The Orange County Sheriff's Office also said they are "concerned for Madeline's safety" in an update on Wednesday afternoon.
Tuesday night, Feb. 27: Madeline Soto's mom, Jenn Soto, speaks with FOX 35; would-be suspect appears in background
FOX 35's Hannah Mackenzie spoke with Jenn Soto via Zoom on Tuesday night.
"I’m trying to hope for the best, but I’m scared for her," Jenn Soto said. "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."
Throughout this Zoom call, Jenn Soto's boyfriend, Stephan Sterns appeared in the background.
Madeline Soto missing: Jenn Soto, Maddie's mom, talks daughter's disappearance (full interview)
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 hours 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.
Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 28: Orange County Sheriff John Mina hosts press conference about ongoing search
Sheriff Mina held a press conference on Wednesday to share an update about the search for Madeline Soto.
"This is every parent's worst nightmare. … We can't even imagine the pain and anguish that Madeline's family is going through," Sheriff Mina said. "We will not stop until we find her."
In this update, Sheriff Mina revealed that Madeline Soto had left her phone at home on Monday, the day of her disappearance. When deputies searched it, they learned that Soto had told her friends that she wanted to "live in the woods" after her 13th birthday, triggering a search in the woods area behind Hunter's Creek Middle School.
"We don't know if she was taken. We don't know if she stepped away. She left her phone at the house," Sheriff Mina said. "That's why we're putting all this effort into it. That's why we're doing this press conference, in hopes that someone from the public may have saw something. It might not have seemed like a big deal at the time, but now, knowing what Madeline looks like, maybe there's some new information that can help us find her whereabouts."
Madeline Soto: Sheriff shares update on missing girl
Orange County Sheriff John Mina shared an update on Wednesday afternoon about the search for Madeline Soto, a 13-year-old girl who went missing days after her birthday. He said over 100 personnel are out in Orlando looking for her, and the search continues.
Wednesday night, Feb. 28: Mom's boyfriend Stephan Sterns arrested on unrelated charges, named ‘prime suspect’ in Madeline Soto case
Stephan Sterns was arrested on Wednesday night on unrelated charges to the Madeline Soto case. He was still, however, named the "prime suspect" in the teen's disappearance since he was the last person who had seen her on Monday morning.
Sterns was arrested and booked into the Orange County Jail on charges including sexual battery and possession of child sex abuse material after detectives found "disturbing" images on his phone, the Orange County Sheriff's Office said. They also said Sterns allegedly tried to delete the evidence from his phone.
Detectives said the Digital Forensics Unit discovered images and videos that were "criminal and sexual" in nature. These alleged crimes were committed at their family home in Kissimmee, and the Kissimmee Police Department was notified immediately.
Stephan Sterns was arrested and booked into the Orange County jail on charges of sexual battery and possession of child sexual abuse material after detectives found "disturbing" images on his phone, the Orange County Sheriff's Office said. (Orange Co
The Kissimmee Police Department is the lead on the sexual battery case, working alongside the Orange County Sheriff's Office's Criminal Investigations Division.
When Sterns was brought into Orange County Sheriff's Office Central Operations, he was interviewed by both Kissimmee police and OCSO detectives. He invoked his right to an attorney and was placed under arrest.
"Stephan Sterns had an opportunity tonight to come clean with detectives and help lead them to information about Maddie’s disappearance," Sheriff John Mina said on Wednesday. "Her loved ones deserve answers and OCSO and the Kisssimmee Police will not stop until we find Maddie."
Madeline Soto: 'Prime suspect' accused of having child porn
Stephan Sterns, 37, the boyfriend of a Central Florida mother whose daughter, Madeline "Maddie" Soto, disappeared earlier this week has been arrested on charges of sexual battery and possession of child sexual abuse material, officials said. Sterns has not been arrested or charged in Soto's disappearance. However, he is considered to be a suspect in her disappearance and was the last person to see her, officials said.
Thursday, Feb. 29: Kissimmee Police Department releases Stephan Sterns' arrest affidavit
The Kissimmee Police Department released the arrest affidavit for Stephan Sterns on Thursday.
The document said that during officials' interview with Stephan regarding Madeline Soto's disappearance, he provided consent to search his phone – but did say he "accidentally performed a factory reset on his phone" that day, the same day Madeline Soto was last seen.
When officials reviewed Sterns phone, they found several photos and videos depicting children in sexual acts. FOX 35 is choosing not to reveal the content of the photos due to their disturbing nature.
The affidavit revealed that officials have probable cause to believe Sterns committed a sexual battery, in addition to being in possession of material depicting the sexual performance of a child.
Thursday, Feb. 29: Body language expert assesses Stephan Sterns' body language in Zoom interview with Jenn Soto
Susan Constantine, a human behavior investigator, joined FOX 35 on Thursday to discuss Stephan Sterns' body language during his appearance in the Zoom interview with his girlfriend and Madeline Soto's mother Jenn Soto.
Constantine, who has aided law enforcement in dozens of high-profile investigations across the country, shed some light on Sterns, who is seen on the video fidgeting with his hands and cracking his knuckles.
"That’s a way to release tension," Constantine said. "The point is tension is one of the 27 points of interest. Points of interest that can lead to possible deception or suspect behavior."
Constantine added that Sterns is "presenting, to me, suspect behavior."
"Sheriff’s office, you need to take a really good look at this guy," she added.
Friday morning, March 1: Stephan Sterns dodges questions from FOX 35 while being transferred from Orange County to Osceola County
Stephan Sterns was transferred from the Orange County Jail to Osceola County on Friday morning. FOX 35's news cameras were rolling during Sterns' arrival.
FOX 35 approaches Madeline Soto suspect at jail: 'What did you do with her?'
Stephan Sterns, the boyfriend of Madeline Soto's mom, was transferred from Orange County to Osceola County on Friday morning. He was named the "prime suspect" in the disappearance of the 13-year-old girl, although he was booked on unrelated charges. FOX 35's Amanda McKenzie was at the jail to try and speak with Sterns during the transfer.
FOX 35's Amanda McKenzie questioned Sterns as deputies removed him from the patrol car and walked him into the jail, but he remained silent. She asked him questions related to his arrest, what detectives found on his phone, and if he had anything to do with Madeline Soto's disappearance.
Friday afternoon, March 1: Officials say they're ‘confident’ that Madeline Soto is dead
The Orange County Sheriff's Office is "confident" that Madeline Soto, a 13-year-old girl who was reported missing earlier this week, is dead.
The update came during a Friday afternoon press conference from Orange County Sheriff John Mina, who said deputies told the "devastating news" to Madeline Soto's mother Jenn Soto on Thursday night.
Sheriff Mina said detectives believe Jenn Soto's boyfriend Stephan Sterns, who was arrested on Wednesday night on unrelated charges and was named the "prime suspect" in this case, is to blame. Deputies believe that Madeline Soto was never dropped off at school on Monday morning and was dead before then. They also said Sterns allegedly moved her body in the morning hours of that day after killing her in Kissimmee.
Friday afternoon, March 1: Multi-agency search for Madeline Soto near area where Stephen Sterns was last seen
A multi-agency search was spotted by SKYFOX near Old Hickory Tree Road and Nolte Road in St. Cloud during a search for Madeline Soto shortly before 5 p.m. on Friday, a spokesperson for the Kissimmee Police Department confirmed to FOX 35.
The Kissimmee Police Department is collaborating with St. Cloud Police, Orange County Sheriff's Office and Osceola County Sheriff's Office on the search in this area, which is tied to "prime suspect" Stephen Sterns. At Friday's press conference, officials said Sterns was last seen in this area between 1 and 2:30 p.m. on Monday and might have been changing a flat tire here at that time.
"We are all working together and sharing information. As our search continues, it will not be uncommon to see law-enforcement out searching different areas in both counties," a spokesperson told FOX 35.
Amid the search, the St. Cloud Police Department and Kissimmee Police Department are asking anyone with doorbell or neighborhood surveillance video footage from Monday that shows Sterns driving his silver Lincoln MKZ with Florida tag IYLL82 in the area of US 192, Nolte Road and Old Hickory Tree in St. Cloud.
Law enforcement has not shared any more details about the search in this area.
Friday afternoon, March 1: Body found amid search for Madeline Soto
Madeline Soto's body was found amid a search for the missing 13-year-old girl who was last seen on Monday morning, according to officials. The teen's body was found off Hickory Tree Road in Osceola County around 4:30 p.m. Friday.
During a press conference, officials said the body found was wearing clothing similar to what Madeline Soto was last wearing.
On Friday afternoon, SKYFOX flew over an area on Old Hickory Tree Road where a multi-agency search was underway with crews from St. Cloud police, Kissimmee police, the Orange County Sheriff's Office and the Osceola County Sheriff's Office. A spokesperson from the Kissimmee Police Department confirmed to FOX 35 at the time that the search was for Madeline Soto.
This area is where Sterns was last seen between 1 and 2:30 p.m. on Monday, officials said during Friday's press conference. He was driving his silver Lincoln MKZ with a flat tire, and is believed to have been changing his tire in this area.
Friday evening, March 1: St. Cloud community holds vigil for Madeline Soto
Residents in St. Cloud set up a memorial near the location where 13-year-old Madeline Soto's body was found on Friday evening. The memorial included flowers, rosaries and stuffed animals.
Many locals expressed heartbreak and sadness over her tragic death, with some mentioning they didn't even know Madeline personally but were deeply affected.
"I don’t even know the girl and I’m getting choked up. It’s just sad that it happened and she didn’t deserve that," said Jimmy Carpenter, whose family lives nearby.
"I felt devastated," added Vanessa Concepcion, who also lives close to the area. "I felt like it was something so messed up that no one should ever go through that."
Saturday morning, March 2: Stephan Sterns waives first appearance in court
Stephan Sterns was a no-show for his first appearance in Osceola County court on Saturday. His lawyer didn't want the judge reading out the charges.
Booking photo of Stephan Sterns from the Osceola County jail
The judge said Sterns would stay behind bars.
Wednesday, March 6: FDLE launches investigation into crime scene photo ‘accidentally’ shared on Facebook
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement launched a preliminary inquiry on March 6 after an apparent photo of the area where Madeline Soto's body was found was allegedly posted on the Osceola County Sheriff's Office Facebook page.
In a screenshot of the post, which was shared with FOX 35 Orlando, the photo appears to show a body in a grassy, wooded area. FOX 35 has viewed the photo and made the decision not to show it or post it.
FDLE looking into Maddie Soto crime scene photo
On Tuesday, State Attorney Andrew Bain's office said it had asked the FDLE to investigate the matter. Tuesday evening, the Osceola County Sheriff's Office said in a statement that it had contacted the FDLE "to offer our cooperation and transparency into the inadvertent release of an investigative photograph."
The Osceola County Sheriff's Office confirmed to FOX 35 in a statement earlier this week that an investigative photo was "accidentally" included in a photo collage of a community event for seniors – and once noticed, it was "immediately removed."
"A post was made on social media about a community event for seniors. In the post, an investigative photo was accidentally included. The photo was immediately removed. We deeply apologize for any confusion or disturbance this may have caused," the sheriff's office said on Monday.
OCSO has not officially confirmed that the alleged photo was related to the investigation into Soto's disappearance or death. However, the agency did not refute that it was related to Soto's case when FOX 35 reached out.
Wednesday, March 6: New court documents allege Stephan Sterns may have abused Madeline Soto years before her disappearance, death
Madeline Soto may have been sexually abused by her mother's live-in boyfriend years prior, according to newly released police and court documents.
According to the partially redacted arrest affidavit, some of the photos and videos found on Sterns' cell phone had timestamps dated back to August 2022, which means Soto would have been around 11 at the time.
While the victim's identity is redacted, the birthdate listed matches that of Soto's. The report also mentioned that the victim lived in the same home as her mother and Sterns. Another affidavit specified that the victim was the "missing child."
Wednesday, March 6: Local church hosts ‘service of hope and healing’ in Madeline Soto's memory
Peace Church Orlando held a "service of hope and healing" in memory of Madeline Soto on March 6.
"There are times where words just feel so inadequate," said Pastor Jim Berlau. "Sometimes, our tears are all that we have."
Madeline Soto 'service of hope and healing'
While a Central Florida community mourns the death of Madeline "Maddie" Soto, it also demands justice for the 13-year-old whom investigators said was murdered by her mother's boyfriend. On March 6, Peace Church Orlando held a "service of hope and healing" in memory of Soto.
The church is only a seven-minute walk from the 13-year-old’s middle school, and some of her Hunter’s Creek Middle School classmates attended.
According to church officials, the Soto family gave the church their blessing to host the memorial, but it is not believed they were in attendance. Soto’s disappearance, turned murder, is hitting some of the community’s youngest members hard.
A memorial on the side of Old Hickory Tree Road in Osceola County is also growing in her honor.
Tuesday, March 12: State Attorney's Office files 60 additional charges against Stephan Sterns
The State Attorney's Office filed 60 new criminal charges against Stephan Sterns, the "prime suspect" in the disappearance and death of Madeline Soto. Sterns has not yet been charged for Soto's death at this time.
Madeline Soto update: New charges for Stephan Sterns
The State Attorney's Office on Tuesday filed 60 new criminal charges against Stephan Sterns, the "prime suspect" in the disappearance and death of Madeline Soto, a 13-year-old girl whose body was found in Osceola County after she was thought to be missing for a week. Sterns has not yet been charged for Soto's death as of Tuesday.
Sterns has been charged with:
- 8 counts of sexual battery of a child under 12
- 5 counts of sexual battery with a child aged 12 to 18
- 7 counts of lewd and lascivious molestation
- 40 counts of unlawful possession of materials depicting sexual performance by a child (10 or more images)
The 36-page affidavit obtained by FOX 35 details all 60 counts of what Sterns is accused of, but FOX 35 is choosing not to release the details listed in the affidavit due to their graphic nature.
Tuesday, March 12: Orange County Public Schools announces it'll change absence alert policy in wake of Madeline Soto case
Orange County Public Schools will make changes to when and how it alerts parents when a student is absent from school, Superintendent Maria Vazquez revealed during Tuesday night's Board meeting.
Orange County schools will now let parents know in the morning that their child has missed class or did not show up to school, Vazquez said. Currently, the district notifies parents via an automated phone call or text message after the student misses more than half of the school day, which is usually sent towards the end of the school day, district officials previously told FOX 35.
"Our team has been working to identify a new notification system. We will be able to implement an additional call that will inform parents that their student was not in attendance at the start of the school day," she said. When that additional call comes for elementary students, middle school students, and high school students would be communicated with parents at a later time.
She said the district is also looking at a way that would let parents see their student's attendance in real time via the district's parent portal, but that would not be implemented until the start of the next school year.
Thursday, March 21: Kissimmee Police Chief holds press conference with updates about investigation
Kissimmee Police Chief Betty Holland hosted a press conference on Thursday morning to keep the community in the loop about the case. No new information has been shared, but she did clarify the investigation process in the weeks after Soto's death.
Police continue to work closely with the State Attorney's Office to put a case together against Sterns. Law enforcement also continues to piece together the timeline leading up to Soto's death, and Holland refused to answer any questions from reporters that would "compromise the integrity of the investigation."
"Death investigations are complex," she said.
Sterns, who has been in jail since Feb. 28, has invoked his right to counsel and has not cooperated with the investigation, Holland said. Police said they have interviewed the teen's mother Jennifer and she has been cooperating with the investigation.
"Everyone that was close to Madeline is considered suspect until we have proven otherwise," Holland said, adding in a separate statement that, "No one is not cooperating other than Sterns."
Soto's cause of death has still not yet been determined. Kissimmee police are working closely with the Medical Examiner's Office until that update comes in.
The Kissimmee Police Department will continue to provide updates as they have them.