Madeline Soto: Kissimmee police chief says detectives can’t be rushed in their investigation

Jason Kelly ,James Tutten
·2 min read
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Kissimmee police Chief Betty Holland held a news conference Thursday afternoon to discuss her agency’s investigation into the death of 13-year-old Madeline Soto -- almost one month after her initial disappearance.

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But Holland provided no major updates on the case during that news conference. Instead, she recounted a timeline of the case, outlining details that have already been made public.

She said that she understands the immense public interest in the case and is committed to keeping the public informed of developments as new details come to light.

But Holland stressed the importance of not rushing detectives in their “meticulous” investigation.

Read: Madeline Soto: A timeline of her disappearance & death

She said detectives have been “relentless” in investigating what has proven to be a “complex” case.

“Our questions are being answered,” Holland said. “Slowly but surely.”

Soto’s mother reported her missing in late February after she never made it to Hunter’s Creek Middle School.

Read: Madeline Soto: Story Jennifer Soto gave law enforcement doesn’t line up with what investigators know

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.
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.
Detectives believe Stephan Sterns killed 13-year-old Madeline Soto on Monday morning at a Kissimmee apartment complex.
Detectives believe Stephan Sterns killed 13-year-old Madeline Soto on Monday morning at a Kissimmee apartment complex.
Investigators discovered the body of 13-year-old Madeline Soto on Friday afternoon.
Investigators discovered the body of 13-year-old Madeline Soto on Friday afternoon.
Investigators discovered the body of 13-year-old Madeline Soto on Friday afternoon.
Investigators discovered the body of 13-year-old Madeline Soto on Friday afternoon.
Investigators discovered the body of 13-year-old Madeline Soto on Friday afternoon.
Investigators discovered the body of 13-year-old Madeline Soto on Friday afternoon.
Sources say that Maddie’s body was found in rural St. Cloud near Hickory Tree Road.
Sources say that Maddie’s body was found in rural St. Cloud near Hickory Tree Road.
Police and deputies canvassed the area of Osceola County for 13-year-old Madeline Soto.
Police and deputies canvassed the area of Osceola County for 13-year-old Madeline Soto.
The Kissimmee Police Department will handle the search for Madeline Soto, said Chief Betty Holland.
The Kissimmee Police Department will handle the search for Madeline Soto, said Chief Betty Holland.
The sheriff said the efforts will now shift to recovering her body.
The sheriff said the efforts will now shift to recovering her body.
Sheriff John Mina said he is confident that she is dead, and recovery efforts will continue.
Sheriff John Mina said he is confident that she is dead, and recovery efforts will continue.
Members of the community will gather to pray for 13-year-old Madeline Soto.
Members of the community will gather to pray for 13-year-old 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Madeline Soto
Madeline Soto
Madeline Soto
Madeline Soto
Madeline Soto
Madeline Soto
Madeline Soto
Madeline Soto
Madeline Soto
Madeline Soto
Madeline Soto
Madeline Soto
Madeline Soto
Madeline Soto
Madeline Soto
Madeline Soto
Madeline Soto
Madeline Soto
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office on Friday confirmed that the body of Madeline Soto, 13, has been located.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office on Friday confirmed that the body of Madeline Soto, 13, has been located.

The missing girl’s body was found March 1 in a wooded area near St. Cloud.

No one has been charged in Soto’s death, but investigators said Stephan Sterns -- the boyfriend of Soto’s mother -- was the prime suspect in her disappearance and the last person to see her alive.

On March 12, he was charged with 60 counts of child sex crimes after police said they discovered graphic photos and videos on his cellphone.

Read: Madeline Soto case: Stephan Sterns faces 60 new charges

“Mr. Sterns is not going anywhere,” Holland said Thursday. “He’s in jail, and he’s going to be there for a while.”

Sterns is being held at the Osceola County Jail.

Watch updates to this developing story live on Channel 9 Eyewitness News.

See Thursday’s full news conference below:

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