Madeline Soto case: 60 new charges filed against mother’s boyfriend
Video above: Stephan Sterns’ arrest report revealed
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A man considered the “prime suspect” in the disappearance and murder of 13-year-old Madeline Soto was charged with 60 additional sex crimes.
On Tuesday, the Kissimmee Police Department announced Stephan Sterns, 37, the boyfriend of Soto’s mother, received dozens of sex crime charges connected to “disturbing” images and video found on his phone.
Sterns was arrested on Feb. 28 and charged with sexual battery and possession of child sexual abuse material, which police said was unrelated to Soto’s death. According to police, images and videos were discovered on Stephan Sterns’ phone after her disappearance. Detectives found more child sexual abuse material during their investigation, which prompted the new charges.
According to the Kissimmee Police Department, Sterns was charged with the following offenses:
Eight counts of sexual battery on a child under 12
Five counts of sexual battery with a child 12-18
Seven counts of lewd and lascivious molestation
40 counts of unlawful possession of materials depicting sexual performance by a child 10 or more images
An Osceola County Sheriff’s Office arrest report released earlier this month stated Sterns sexually abused her when she was 11 years old.
Sexual battery on a child under 12 is a capital felony, meaning Sterns faces the death penalty if convicted. He could spend the rest of his life in prison if found guilty of the rest of the charges.
Sterns has not been charged with Soto’s murder, but the Orange County Sheriff’s Office described him as “the prime suspect.”
“We appreciate the efforts of our partners in the State Attorney’s Office in assisting with seeking justice for Madeline,” Kissimmee Chief of Police Betty Holland told NBC affiliate WESH. “With this being a complex case with many facets, our work is not done, and we are continuing our investigation into the timeline leading up to Madeline’s death.”
Sterns is due back in court for his arraignment on April 2.
What happened to Madeline Soto?
Madeline Soto was last seen alive on Feb. 26. Sterns was supposed to drop her off at school, but police said she didn’t make it.
According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Sterns was caught on camera throwing items into a dumpster around 7:35 a.m. that day. Officials found child’s backpack and school laptop in the dumpster.
Sterns was spotted again at 8:19 a.m. returning to his apartment complex with Soto in the car, according to the sheriff’s office. Detectives believe she was already dead.
Madeline Soto’s body was found in the woods off Old Hickory Tree Road in Osceola County. Officials claim Sterns was spotted in the area on the afternoon of Feb. 26.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
