FL MADELINE SOTO: Missing from Orlando, FL - 26 Feb 2024 - Age 13 *Found Deceased*

Madeline Soto missing: Florida mom begs for daughter's safe return home

A mother in Orange County is begging for help locating her missing daughter.

www.fox35orlando.com

Madeline Soto missing: Florida mom begs for daughter's safe return home​

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, a variety of search teams are out searching for Maddie.


MEDIA - MADELINE SOTO: Missing from Orlando, FL - 26 Feb 2024 - Age 13

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Madeline Soto: Missing Florida girl wanted to 'live in the woods' after her 13th birthday, sheriff says

The search for 13-year-old Madeline Soto continues.

www.fox35orlando.com

Madeline Soto: Missing Florida girl wanted to 'live in the woods' after her 13th birthday, sheriff says​

The search for 13-year-old Madeline Soto continues.

Orange County Sheriff John Mina held a news conference on Wednesday afternoon to update the community on the search for the missing teenager, who was last seen on Monday morning in Orlando.

Soto was dropped off a few blocks away from Hunter's Creek Middle School on Monday morning by her mother's boyfriend, Sheriff Mina said. When Soto's mom went to pick her up, however, she found out her daughter had never set foot inside the school that day.

Sheriff Mina said Soto was dropped off near Peace United Methodist Church on Town Loop Boulevard, a half-mile from the school. It remains unclear why she was dropped off at this location, but Sheriff Mina said it's a possibility she was "embarrassed" of the vehicle she was in and asked her mom's boyfriend to be dropped off at this 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. They've interviewed people in close contact with Soto, including her mom, mom's boyfriend and friends from school. Sheriff Mina said no information indicates another family member is involved at this time, nor was there any "turmoil" in the house.

During their investigation, they also discovered that Soto 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. She celebrated her 13th birthday on Feb. 22.

The woods behind Hunter's Creek Middle School are among the areas deputies have been searching in, Sheriff Mina said. Over 100 personnel, including deputies, detectives, intelligence analysts, specialized personnel, and bloodhounds, have been deployed to help search for the missing teenager. Deputies and Soto's family continue to pass out flyers in the area to notify people of the ongoing search.

"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."

"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."

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Last person to see missing Florida teen arrested on child porn charges, deputies say

The boyfriend of a missing Florida teen’s mother was arrested Wednesday night on charges of sexual battery and possession of child sexual abuse material, according to the Orange County Sherif…

www.wfla.com

Last person to see missing Florida teen arrested on child porn charges, deputies say​

The boyfriend of a missing Florida teen’s mother was arrested Wednesday night on charges of sexual battery and possession of child sexual abuse material, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

13-year-old Madeline Soto was reported missing after she didn’t show up to school on Monday, according to officials.

Orange County Sheriff John Mina gave an update earlier Wednesday on Soto’s whereabouts, stating that the girl’s mother’s boyfriend, Stephan Sterns, 37, had dropped her off in the area of Hunters Creek Middle School, which is where she goes to school.

Late Wednesday night, the sheriff’s office announced that Sterns was arrested after “disturbing images” were found on his phone.

“Through the work of our Digital Forensics Unit earlier [Wednesday], detectives discovered images and videos that were criminal, and sexual in nature,” the sheriff’s office said.

Detectives learned the alleged crimes were committed at the family home in Kissimmee.

The phone’s data showed that Sterns allegedly attempted to delete evidence, according to the sheriff’s office.

Sterns is considered a prime suspect in Soto’s disappearance, deputies said.

“Stephan Sterns had an opportunity tonight to come clean with detectives and help lead them to information about Maddie’s disappearance,” Mina said in a statement. “Her loved ones deserve answers and OCSO and the Kissimmee Police will not stop until we find Maddie.”

 

[GrandmaBear]

My God was this one obvious from the first post even before I got to the part of arrest on child porn. Key things, mom's bf dropped her off. 1/2 mile away. Just celebrated birthday 13/ Wanted to livein woods. What??

Brought to mind a few cases. Audrii for one. Yes she got a ride to school or bus too from someone family trusted? The wanting to live in woods sounds a lot like the survivalist child in WI who I believe was the same age who has never been found... Not saying it connects in any way shape or from just made me think of that one...

Pretty fricking obvious here I'd say. Maybe it won't be the case but betting on it...

Next thing is let's guess whether he had any prior bad behavior and was he on an SO list or should he have been...

Praying of course she will be found safe, have little hope she will be.

Did she go to some church related school?

Live in the woods in Orlando?

Been there. Couple of times. Never noticed woods but then wasn't looking for such.

I'm makin a pretty safe hedged bet this guy has a record, should have never been out and should have been on some registry. And maybe he was and mom dated him anhow and had him taking kid to school and dropping her 1/2 mile away.

Embarrassed about the vehicle? Wanted to live in the woods. Child porn loving boyfriend. SMDH.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Madeline Soto: Search continues for missing girl as her mother’s boyfriend refuses to face judge

Deputies in Orange County said 13-year-old Madeline Soto has been missing since Monday morning.

www.wftv.com

Madeline Soto: Search continues for missing girl as her mother’s boyfriend refuses to face judge​

Deputies in Orange County said 13-year-old Madeline Soto has been missing since Monday morning.

And now, her mother’s boyfriend is in jail on charges of sexual battery and possession of child sex abuse material.

Stephan Sterns was supposed to go before an Orange County judge Thursday morning but refused to be in court.

Sterns was scheduled to have his first appearance at 9 a.m.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

 

[GrandmaBear]

Madeline Soto: Search continues for missing girl as her mother’s boyfriend refuses to face judge

Deputies in Orange County said 13-year-old Madeline Soto has been missing since Monday morning.

www.wftv.com

Madeline Soto: Search continues for missing girl as her mother’s boyfriend refuses to face judge​

Deputies in Orange County said 13-year-old Madeline Soto has been missing since Monday morning.

And now, her mother’s boyfriend is in jail on charges of sexual battery and possession of child sex abuse material.

Stephan Sterns was supposed to go before an Orange County judge Thursday morning but refused to be in court.

Sterns was scheduled to have his first appearance at 9 a.m.

REFUSED to GO to court and appear before a judge? Have said it in the last week, this new wave of not having to attend and being ALLOWED to not appear. One can see this sh*t these days like it is some planned agenda. It is new to us but then ten do it in two weeks and judges allow it. WHAT is going on? Every change to the detrimental side of justice just happens and we are unaware it is coming or is the new way of it. It was just NEW recently and already seems it is becoming the norm in like a week.

Next they won't be able to be tried at all as they don't have to go to court but can't be tried in absence and the hands of the justice side will be tied.

Maybe build a cell in the courtroom. Defendant can have a private cell in a place decent enough for judges and hte public and always be present whether he CHOOSES to be or not any time a hearing takes place. Give out billions to do it. A courtroom with a cell in it for each defendant.

This sh*t has gotten beyond ludicrous.

Is this sh*t defendant's rights again and such is in the constitution? Really. Wow.

Madeline Soto. Harmony Montgomery. Just two of many recently whose alleged perps do not have to appear in court by their choice. And they will be appealing conviction and yell that they weren't even present for their defense. I'd bet on it.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Full interview: Jenn Soto, Madeline Soto's mom

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...

www.fox35orlando.com

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Madeline Soto missing: Mother talks timeline leading up to daughters disappearance in Florida

Madeline Soto's mother talks about the timeline of her daughters disappearance after she went missing on Monday, February 26 from Orange County, Florida.

www.fox35orlando.com

Madeline Soto missing: Mother talks timeline leading up to daughters disappearance in Florida​

Madeline Soto was reported missing Monday night after she did not make it to school that morning.

In the latest development, her mother's boyfriend Stephan Sterns, 37, was arrested Wednesday on charges of sexual battery and possession of child sexual abuse material after detectives said they found "disturbing" images on his phone.


Detectives said it appears that whatever alleged actions were captured in the images and videos happened at the family's home in Kissimmee, Florida, which is just south of Orlando.

They also alleged that Sterns had attempted to delete evidence from the phone.

Her mother, Jenn Soto, spoke with FOX 35 about the timeline of her daughter's disappearance, who was last seen after being dropped off at a church down the street from her elementary school.

According to surveillance video, her daughter was last seen with Sterns when he dropped her off at the Peace United Methodist Church parking lot. Orange County Sheriff John Mina said she was possibly "embarrassed" by her vehicle and asked her mom's boyfriend to be dropped off there.

Sterns has not been arrested in connection to Maddie's disappearance – but was the last person to see her. He is now considered a prime suspect.

The day before Maddie disappeared, her family celebrated her 13th birthday.

"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," said Soto.

Soto said there was no moment in the evening from when she got home that she had a phone or a laptop indicating that she was having conversations or making plans for Monday.

On Monday morning, Stern drove Maddie to school where she was seen on surveillance video crossing the street, appearing to walk to school from the church Sterns dropped her off from.

When Sterns was arrested, he invoked his right to an attorney and declined to speak further before being booked into jail.

Soto said her daughter had never run away before. She said the teen had forgotten her cell phone at home that morning, but that was normal.

When deputies searched Maddie's phone, they learned that Soto had told her friends that she wanted to "live in the woods" after her birthday.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement said Maddie is "endangered," meaning that her physical safety is in danger, such as a predatory abduction or kidnapping.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

So did he pick her back up again as she walked? Did she actually walk into the woods? Did he come looking later?

Florida girl still missing after mother's boyfriend arrested for disturbing images

Stephan Sterns, who was the last person to see Madeline Soto, was arrested for sexual battery and possession of child sexual abuse material.

www.cbsnews.com

Florida girl still missing after mother's boyfriend arrested for disturbing images​

13-year-old Madeline Soto is still missing after her mother's boyfriend, Stephan Sterns, was arrested for sexual battery and possession of child sexual abuse material, Florida officials said Thursday.

Sterns was brought in for questioning on Thursday and invoked his right to an attorney. He and was placed under arrest and transported to jail, and it is expected he will be held on no bond, the sheriff's department said.

Jail records do not provide any details into Sterns' charges.

"Stephan Sterns had an opportunity tonight to come clean with detectives and help lead them to information about Maddie's disappearance," said Sheriff John Mina. "Her loved ones deserve answers and OCSO and the Kisssimmee Police will not stop until we find Maddie."

 

[GrandmaBear]

I wonder what the vehicle was she was embarrassed by? An old hearse? A loud muffler big truck? A graffiti covered old car? An old police vehicle with a flasher on it Kids do pick on other kids just even if their vehicle dropped off in is some beater though but I fail to think tis is the real reason for her disappearance, may be an excuse for where he dropped her and was it not said 1/2 mile away??

It will come. Either mom was naive as heck and trusted someone she shouldn't have or should have known better but cared less. To be fair maybe she thought my child is not 5, she is 13 and will tell me if something is wrong and can handle herself and he seemed "decent".

My guess is he will have a history. I am surprised such isn't known already and SM people haven't dug into it.

I HOPE she just ran off to live in the woods which is another oddity to say that.

Wasn't unusual to forget her cell phone. Most that age I'd beg to differ, that's their be all and end all and lifeline. Convenient she does not have it this day when it might help lead to her whereabouts.

Maybe she went missing on purpose. One can hope...

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

 

[GrandmaBear]

And here we go...

 

[Kimster]

So did he pick her back up again as she walked? Did she actually walk into the woods? Did he come looking later?

Florida girl still missing after mother's boyfriend arrested for disturbing images

Stephan Sterns, who was the last person to see Madeline Soto, was arrested for sexual battery and possession of child sexual abuse material.

www.cbsnews.com

Florida girl still missing after mother's boyfriend arrested for disturbing images​

13-year-old Madeline Soto is still missing after her mother's boyfriend, Stephan Sterns, was arrested for sexual battery and possession of child sexual abuse material, Florida officials said Thursday.

Sterns was brought in for questioning on Thursday and invoked his right to an attorney. He and was placed under arrest and transported to jail, and it is expected he will be held on no bond, the sheriff's department said.

Jail records do not provide any details into Sterns' charges.

"Stephan Sterns had an opportunity tonight to come clean with detectives and help lead them to information about Maddie's disappearance," said Sheriff John Mina. "Her loved ones deserve answers and OCSO and the Kisssimmee Police will not stop until we find Maddie."

Ladies, don’t trust these men. Look into their backgrounds. Don’t let them be alone with your children. They don’t care about your children like you care about your children. Fact.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Ladies, don’t trust these men. Look into their backgrounds. Don’t let them be alone with your children. They don’t care about your children like you care about your children. Fact.

Beyond true. Very true. Men either like in the Audrii case. He put his child in the care of a "buddy" who he now proclaims to not have known about his past. I call b.s. on that one most likelyy. If he didn't know he could certainly care less to ensure while he could care and make sh*t up about or worry about her being with mom, but handed her to a homeless buddy who had to camp on their property who CLEARLY at least had issues and prison type tats.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

WATCH LIVE: Orange County officials give update on search for 13-year-old Madeline Soto

As the search continues for missing 13-year-old Madeline Soto, the prime suspect in her disappearance has been transferred to a new jail.

www.clickorlando.com

WATCH LIVE: Orange County officials give update on search for 13-year-old Madeline Soto​

As the search continues for missing 13-year-old Madeline Soto, the prime suspect in her disappearance has been transferred to a new jail, where he is facing charges charges of sexual battery and possession of child sexual abuse material, according to sheriff’s officials.

Stephan Sterns, the boyfriend of the teen’s mother, was arrested Wednesday amid the search for Madeline, who was last seen Monday morning. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office said Sterns was the last person to see the girl.

Officials said Sterns was transferred Friday from the Orange County jail to the Osceola County jail. He was arrested after “images and videos that were criminal, and sexual in nature” were found on his phone during the investigation into the teen’s disappearance, deputies said. He faces charges of sexual battery and possession of child sexual abuse material.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office is providing an update in the case at 1 p.m.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

TIMELINE: What we know about Madeline Soto's disappearance so far

Madeline Soto was last seen on Monday morning. Here's everything we know about the case so far.

www.fox35orlando.com

Madeline Soto missing: Timeline, everything we know so far about 13-year-old Florida girl's disappearance​

Friday marks the fifth day since 13-year-old Madeline Soto was last seen.

The Hunter's Creek Middle School student was last seen at 8:30 a.m. on Monday 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 husband 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.

Throughout these developments, the Orange County Sheriff's Office and other local law enforcement agencies have been searching for the missing girl, who recently celebrated her 13th birthday.

Here's a timeline of everything we know about the case of Madeline Soto (in chronological order). This story will be updated with the latest developments as we get them.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Body language of Madeline Soto's mom's boyfriend assessed by body language expert

The family of missing 13-year-old Maddie Soto is holding out hope for her safe return. She has not been seen since Monday and her mother's boyfriend is the prime suspect in her disappearance.

www.fox35orlando.com

Madeline Soto missing: Mom's boyfriend assessed by body language expert​

An arrest affidavit stated Sterns voluntarily handed over his phone to investigators, telling them he had "accidentally performed a factory reset" on the device the day Soto was reported missing.

Investigators were able to recover "disturbing" photos and videos on Sterns’ phone. FOX 35 News is choosing not to elaborate as the details are graphic.

During an interview with Jenn Soto on February 27, Sterns can be seen in the background fidgeting with his hands and cracking his knuckles.

"That’s a way to release tension," said Susan Constantine. "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, a human behavior investigator, has aided law enforcement in dozens of high-profile investigations nationwide. She is unconnected to the case but weighed in on Sterns’ mannerisms.

"In my personal opinion, I would have said, ‘Sheriff’s office, you need to take a really good look at this guy. He is presenting to me suspect behavior,’" Constantine said.

Sterns is being held without bond. On Thursday, he refused to show up to court.

Retired detective and law enforcement expert David Nutting has dealt with hundreds of suspects over the years.

"How frustrating is it when you have a prime suspect who is refusing to play ball, or give up information, or just answer questions," asked FOX 35’s Hannah Mackenzie.

"It’s especially frustrating in cases involving children because it just seems so right in human nature to tell everything you know," Nutting responded. "This is a truly innocent victim. Maddie is a young girl who did not live a high-risk lifestyle, and she’s apparently with this monster, and it’s just frustrating. Why can’t you tell us what happened? Let’s resolve this case and bring Maddie back home."

 

[GrandmaBear]

I don't think she was necessariy last seen at 8:30 when he took her to school. He did not take her to school but allegedly dropped her 1/2 mile away.

Has no SM person or FOIA requester and more looked into this man's past record yet or online court info and so on?

I have to wonder if the illegal material found of sexual abuse material were not of this poor child and that's how they were able to charge sexual battery.

If so, where was mom? She never went to mom? Or is the sh*t he had only from recording that day or some such? I am not going to throw mom under the bus yet but she certainly isn't clear in my book. Just as Audrii's dad and grandparents are NOT clear in my book.

 

[GrandmaBear]

And NO ONE Is talking of this new **** of refusing to go to court and a defendant being the one in power.

Many talk of how badly so and so is treated in prison and so on and the power judges and those in power have, but really, do they? Seems to me they have none lately, case in point right here. Nor does LE. They've been cut off at the knees.

There is balance and the pendulum swinging all one way to the extreme or to the other is not the answer. Imo.

What kind of idiots are allowing such to go on?