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Sixty new charges have been filed against Stephan Sterns, the prime suspect in the disappearance and murder of 13-year-old Madeline Soto, but not for her murder.
Suspect Stephan Sterns / Credit: Kissimmee Police Department / Canva
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State Attorney’s Office Files New Charges
Prosecutors with the State Attorney’s Office for the Ninth Judicial Circuit have filed 60 new charges against Stephan Sterns, the prime suspect in the disappearance and murder of 13-year-old Madeline Soto, and the boyfriend of the young girl’s mother, but so far, no one, including Sterns, has been charged with her murder.
Madeline Soto/Credit: Soto Family/social media
Sterns, 37, will now face 40 charges of possession of child sex abuse material, which was found by investigators on Sterns’s smartphone. He also faces seven counts of molestation and 13 counts of sexual battery of a minor. Eight of those 13 counts are related to alleged abuse of a minor under the age of 12.
The Abuse Began in 2022, Possibly Earlier
Previously released arrest affidavits from the Kissimmee Police Department indicate that Sterns had been sexually abusing Madeline, who was reported missing on February 26, since at least 2022, when she was just 11 years old.
Credit: Orange County Sheriff’s Office
It is not clear at this time whether the 60 additional charges, which were filed by prosecutors on Monday, involve other victims in addition to Madeline Soto.
“The State Attorney’s Office has been working closely with [the Kissimmee Police Department] and received evidence that gave us cause to file formal charges against Sterns,” explained Orange-Osceola State Attorney Andrew Bain in a statement about the new charges.
“We appreciate the thoroughness and detailed attention of their investigation and will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to build a strong case against the defendant.”
Body Discovered, But Still No Murder Charges
As of the time of this publication, law enforcement officials have not publicly discussed the timing of any murder charges against Sterns, who claims to have been working as a cast member at the Walt Disney World Resort, as the investigation into the disappearance of Madeline Soto–who was reported missing on February 26–and her death.
The body of the young girl was discovered by detectives on Friday, March 1, at approximately 4:30 p.m. in a wooded area along Old Hickory Tree Road in Osceola County, approximately 32 miles southeast of the Walt Disney World Resort.
Credit: Google Maps
Soto’s Mother: Not a Suspect at This Time
Madeline Soto’s mother, Jenn Soto, is not currently a suspect in the case, but investigators have noted inconsistencies in the accounts she has given during interviews with law enforcement officials.
The inconsistencies have emerged in Jenn Soto’s accounts as to the details of the day on February 26, the day on which the teenage girl disappeared.
Madeline Soto (R) and her mother, Jenn Soto (L)/Credit: Instagram/Jenn Soto
The Extent of the New Charges Against Sterns
Just two days after Madeline Soto was reported missing, investigators unveiled several disturbing images and videos on Sterns’ phone. There was also evidence of an attempt to remove the images.
Following the discovery, Kissimmee Police officers quickly arrested Sterns, who is currently being held at the Osceola County Department of Corrections without bond.
Credit: Orange County Sheriff’s Office
Since that time, however, investigators have uncovered additional images and videos that depict criminal acts. The evidence was turned over to the State Attorney’s Office, which then had just cause to file the following additional charges against Stephan Sterns:
- 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
“We appreciate the efforts of our partners in the State Attorney’s Office in assisting with seeking justice for Madeline,” said Kissimmee Chief of Police Betty Holland. “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.”
Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with Madeline Soto’s friends, family, and community during this extremely difficult time.
