OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — The Osceola County Sheriff is responding to outrage after he shared a picture of what is believed to be 13-year-old Madeline Soto’s lifeless body on social media.
The photo was posted on Lopez’s personal Instagram page less than 24 hours after law enforcement found Soto’s body in a rural area outside St. Cloud.
The tragic discovery was five days after the 13-year-old was reported missing.
The disturbing photo shows a body in the woods and dressed in the clothes Stephan Sterns said she was last seen in.
Lopez said he “accidentally” posted the image when sharing a post of himself visiting senior citizens.
Also, this past week, Osceola Sheriff’s executive director Nirva Rodriguez posted a selfie with suspect Stephan Sterns being perp walked out with a caption reading, “If God’s love has been poured out over your life, don’t allow evil to keep you away from what He has prepared for you.”
What's next in Madeline Soto case; Osceola County sheriff explains accidental photo post
“All of those things are against the policies and procedures that they have outlined,” said law enforcement expert Randy Nelson.
Nelson said both Lopez’ and Rodriguez’ posts clearly violate the Sheriff’s own social media policy which states it is “explicitly prohibited” to post information “from an ongoing criminal investigation including photographs.”
The policy also states, “not to make statements about the guilt or innocence of any suspect.”
“It makes you look at the leadership. I mean, that’s, that’s all one can do. And once again, it goes back to transparency and accountability,” Nelson said.
Former chief judge explains next step in Madeline Soto case as evidence builds against prime suspect It’s been several days since Stephan Sterns was transferred to Osceola County Jail over the weekend. (WFTV)
Osceola County Sheriff’s Office was not even investigating Madeline Soto’s death. Kissimmee Police was the lead agency. Osceola County Sheriff’s Office was only part of the search.
That leaves the big question, why did Sheriff Marcos Lopez even have this graphic photo?
After multiple attempts to get more information, Osceola County Sheriff’s Office would not say why the photo was on the sheriff’s phone or who took the picture. The agency also would not say if Rodriguez were under investigation.
We also asked if the Sheriff has personally apologized to Madeline Soto’s family. The Office did not answer our question, but released a statement that said in part, “We deeply apologize for any confusion or disturbance this may have cause.”
State Attorney Andrew Bain told Channel 9 he is “deeply disturbed” that the photos were “carelessly made public”.
Madeline Soto: Search for missing girl enters 5th day in Orange County
Madeline Soto: Missing Kissimmee girl's body found in rural Osceola County The Orange County Sheriff’s Office said Friday evening that Madeline Soto’s body has been found. Investigators said Osceola County deputies found the missing 13-year-old girl’s body at about 4:30 p.m. in a wooded area along Hickory Tree Road. (WFTV/WFTV)
Stephan Sterns & Madeline Soto Detectives believe Stephan Sterns killed 13-year-old Madeline Soto on Monday morning at a Kissimmee apartment complex. (WFTV)
Search for Madeline Soto Investigators discovered the body of 13-year-old Madeline Soto on Friday afternoon. (WFTV)
Search for Madeline Soto Investigators discovered the body of 13-year-old Madeline Soto on Friday afternoon. (WFTV)
Search for Madeline Soto Investigators discovered the body of 13-year-old Madeline Soto on Friday afternoon. (WFTV)
Video Sources: Madeline Soto’s body discovered in rural Osceola County Sources say that Maddie’s body was found in rural St. Cloud near Hickory Tree Road. (Chantelle Navarro /Chantelle Navarro)
Law enforcement join the search for Madeline Soto Police and deputies canvassed the area of Osceola County for 13-year-old Madeline Soto. (Nick Papantonis/Nick Papantonis)
Kissimmee Police Department will take over Madeline Soto investigation The Kissimmee Police Department will handle the search for Madeline Soto, said Chief Betty Holland. (Nick Papantonis/Nick Papantonis)
Orange County Sheriff John Mina gives update on Madeline Soto The sheriff said the efforts will now shift to recovering her body. (Orange County Sheriff's Office /Orange County Sheriff's Office)
Orange County Sheriff's Office gave an update for Madeline Soto Sheriff John Mina said he is confident that she is dead, and recovery efforts will continue. (Nick Papantonis/Nick Papantonis)
Suspect in girl’s disappearance taken to Osceola County Jail
Madeline Soto: Community to hold prayer vigil tonight Members of the community will gather to pray for 13-year-old Madeline Soto. (Unity & Fire Church International/Unity & Fire Church International)
Stephan Sterns & Madeline Soto 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. (OCSO)
Search continues for missing girl, Madeline Soto, as her mother’s boyfriend refuses to face judge
Law enforcement join the search for Madeline Soto More than 50 members of the Orange County Emergency Response Team looked for the 13-year-old in various areas as our detectives continued their investigation. (Orange County Sheriff's Office /Orange County Sheriff's Office)
Law enforcement join the search for Madeline Soto More than 50 members of the Orange County Emergency Response Team looked for the 13-year-old in various areas as our detectives continued their investigation. (Orange County Sheriff's Office /Orange County Sheriff's Office)
Orange County deputies search for missing 13-year-old girl Madeline Soto (Jennifer Soto /Jennifer Soto)
Large search party gathers Wednesday to look for missing 13-year-old girl in Orange County
Orange County deputies search for missing 13-year-old girl Madeline Soto (Jennifer Soto /Jennifer Soto)
Orange County deputies search for missing 13-year-old girl Madeline Soto (Jennifer Soto /Jennifer Soto)
Orange County deputies search for missing 13-year-old girl Madeline Soto (Jennifer Soto /Jennifer Soto)
Orange County deputies search for missing 13-year-old girl Madeline Soto (Jennifer Soto /Jennifer Soto)
Orange County deputies search for missing 13-year-old girl Madeline Soto (Jennifer Soto /Jennifer Soto)
Orange County deputies search for missing 13-year-old girl Madeline Soto (Jennifer Soto /Jennifer Soto)
Orange County deputies search for missing 13-year-old girl Madeline Soto (Jennifer Soto /Jennifer Soto)
Orange County deputies search for missing 13-year-old girl Madeline Soto (Jennifer Soto /Jennifer Soto)
Madeline Soto The Orange County Sheriff’s Office on Friday confirmed that the body of Madeline Soto, 13, has been located. (Orange County Sheriff's Office/Orange County Sheriff's Office)
The posts have questions on if this could affect prosecution.
Bain told Channel 9 he “does not believe these photos will have any evidentiary impact on the case as of now”, but he said the photos were released in “poor taste.”
“It’s extremely unprofessional. It makes you question about how they’re handling the evidence in general, you know, the quality of their work,” Weeden said.
Defense Attorney Roger Weeden says if this case goes to trial, Osceola’s actions could be brought up as a problem that could taint a juror’s perception.
“We’re allowed to bring out in front of a jury the steps that the law enforcement made in the investigation. Also, we can bring out any bias or prejudice that may be within the law enforcement investigation,” Weeden said, speaking about what defense attorneys are able to do in trials.
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