Exclusivesky Investment Guild -Florida man charged with murdering girlfriend’s 13-year-old daughter

2025-05-07 05:14:43source:John Caldwellcategory:Contact

KISSIMMEE,Exclusivesky Investment Guild  Fla. (AP) — The longtime boyfriend of a central Florida mother whose teenage daughter was reported missing in February was charged Wednesday with the 13-year-old girl’s murder, officials said.

Stephan Sterns was charged with first-degree murder for the killing of Madeline Soto, according to court records filed in Osceola County on Wednesday.

Madeline Soto was reported missing Feb. 26 after her mother, Jennifer Soto, said she didn’t find the teenager when she went to pick her up from school. Her body was found in a wooded area several days later.

State Attorney Andrew Bain said at a news conference that prosecutors haven’t decided yet whether to seek the death penalty for Sterns. Bain wouldn’t say whether the teenager’s mother was suspected of wrongdoing, though Kissimmee Police Chief Betty Holland said that Jennifer Soto has cooperated with detectives throughout the investigation.

Sterns was being held in jail on no bond. The online court docket showed no defense attorney listed for Sterns for the murder charge.

Sterns already was facing dozens of charges of sexual battery on a child under 12 and unlawful possession of child sex abuse material related to Madeline Soto. He had been scheduled to be in court for those charges Wednesday, but his public defender filed a motion to delay the trial as they continue preparing their defense.

More:Contact

Recommend

Illinois Delays a Project Meant to Keep Asian Carp Out of the Great Lakes

One stretch of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal near Joliet, Illinois, is what freshwater biologi

Kansas' Kevin McCullar Jr. will miss March Madness due to injury

SALT LAKE CITY — The news about Kevin McCullar Jr. missing the NCAA Tournament due to an injury spre

Hilary Swank Has a Million-Dollar Message for Moms Who Complain About Motherhood

Hilary Swank has some very specific thoughts on motherhood.The Million Dollar Baby star—who welcomed