Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez to pay fine in Madeline Soto photo investigation
OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. - Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez has agreed to pay a fine after he inadvertently posted an investigative photo of Madeline Soto's body on social media.
According to the State Attorney Andrew Baine's office, Sheriff Lopez pleaded no contest to a civil infraction and agreed to pay a $250 fine. Sheriff Marcos was never facing criminal charges related to the photo, but could have been fined up to $500, FOX 35 previously reported.
"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 in a statement in March.
Madeline Soto, 13, was reported missing on Feb. 26, sparking days-long searches in Orange County and Osceola County. The Florida girl's body was eventually found in a grassy area in a remote part of Osceola County on March 1.
CONTINUING COVERAGE
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Stephan Sterns, the girl's mom's boyfriend, is charged with 60 counts of sexual abuse and premeditated first-degree murder connected to the girl's disappearance and death.
He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.