Stephan Sterns has been booked into the Orange County Jail. He is being held on an out-of-county warrant.
Arrested - Stephan Sterns Mugshot Deputies: Boyfriend of missing teen’s mother considered prime suspect; arrested for sexual battery
10 p.m. Update:
On Wednesday night, the Kissimmee Police Department, working in conjunction with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, arrested Stephan Sterns, for sexual battery and possession of child sexual abuse material, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.
Stephan Sterns is the boyfriend of Madeline Soto’s mother, and the last confirmed person to see her on the morning of Monday, Feb. 26, according to the sheriff’s office.
Deputies said during the investigation into Madeline’s disappearance, OCSO detectives found disturbing images on Sterns’ phone that he attempted to delete.
The OCSO Digital Forensics Unit detectives discovered images and videos that were criminal, and sexual, in nature.
Detectives determined that those crimes were committed at the family home in Kissimmee, and they immediately notified Kissimmee Police.
At this time, KPD detectives are the lead on the sexual battery case, working alongside members of Orange County’s Sheriff’s Criminal Investigations Division.
OCSO is still actively investigating Madeline’s disappearance and Sterns is considered the prime suspect at this time, deputies said.
On Wednesday afternoon, Sterns was brought to OCSO Central Operations where he was interviewed by Kissimmee PD and OCSO detectives where he invoked his right to an attorney and was placed under arrest and transported to jail, where we expect he will be held on no bond.
“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 Kissimmee Police will not stop until we find Maddie.”
Stephan Sterns Perp Walk - Orange County Sheriff's Office Stephan Sterns Perp Walk - Orange County Sheriff's Office (WFTV)
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Orange County Sheriff’s Office said Monday night they started the search for the teen but has been unsuccessful thus far.
“We’re not going to stop looking,” said John Mina, Orange County Sheriff.
Wednesday, more than 100 emergency response team members searched the areas where she was last seen.
Maddie was last seen when she was dropped off at Peace Church Monday morning by her mother’s boyfriend.
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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)
“If you see my daughter, just please bring her home. I just hope you’re okay Maddie. I hope you’re safe,” said Jennifer Soto, Maddie’s mother.
Jennifer said she noticed her daughter was missing after she never met her at the normal pick-up spot after school that’s when she filed a missing person’s report with police.
Jennifer said the same day, Maddie left her phone at home.
Mina said after searching through Maddie’s phone, they found text messages to a friend that said she wanted to live in the woods after her 13th birthday.
Search continues with more than 100 emergency response personnel to find missing Hunter’s Creek teen Search continues with more than 100 emergency response personnel to find missing Hunter’s Creek teen (Nikki DeMarco, WFTV.com/WFTV)
According to her mother, the family celebrated Maddie’s birthday with a party on Sunday.
Mina said they have interviewed the family, close relatives, and friends of her whereabouts. They are also using bloodhounds to track Maddie’s scent.
While detectives investigate their search, more than 100 members of the emergency response teams are searching in various locations to find leads of Madeline.
