Body of missing Florida teen found after mother's boyfriend charged
Newsy
Madeline Soto had last been seen on the morning of Feb. 26, when her mother’s boyfriend, Stephan Sterns, was supposed to drop her off at school.
Investigators announced Friday night that they had located the body of missing 13-year-old Madeline Soto.
Madeline Soto had last been seen on the morning of Feb. 26, when her mother’s boyfriend, Stephan Sterns, was supposed to drop her off at school. He told police that he dropped her off a few blocks away at 8:30 a.m.
When Madeline’s mother went to school at 4:30 p.m., she learned that her daughter never arrived at school. Orange County Sheriff John Mina said that their investigation revealed that Madeline had left her phone at home that day.
At a news conference on Friday, Mina said that while teams were continuing their search for Madeline, they believed that she was dead.
During their investigation, detectives said they found “disturbing images” on Sterns’ phone. The images were described as criminal and sexual in nature, and detectives said the crimes were committed at the family’s home. Investigators said on Friday that they also have surveillance video showing Sterns throwing items into a dumpster, including Madeline’s backpack and laptop. Surveillance video also shows Sterns with Madeline in his car, and deputies said they belive she was dead in the video.
