Police have released the cause of death of a young girl whose disappearance was widely publicized several months ago.
Madeline Soto, the 13-year-old Florida girl who was found dead in a wooded area in March 2024, died due to strangulation, a homicide, according to a medical examiner’s report. Soto had been reported missing from her home in Kissimmee, Florida on Feb. 26, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office confirmed.
Stephan Sterns, the boyfriend of Soto’s mother, was charged with first-degree murder in April, as reported by the Osceola County authorities. The State Attorney’s Office revealed that Sterns was slapped with 60 charges, including capital sexual battery, lewd or lascivious molestation, and possession of child pornography after investigators discovered “several disturbing pictures and videos.”
The Sheriff’s office has evidence that suggests Soto was not dropped off at her school on the morning she disappeared. Sterns was the last person seen with her, as reported on X. On the eve of her disappearance, Soto was sent to sleep in Sterns’ room by her mother who claimed she needed rest after a late return from work, according to a supplemental report cited by WESH.
Investigations revealed that the following morning, Sterns was captured on video disposing of items in a trashcan at the apartment complex where he lived with Soto and her mother. Among the discarded items recovered by the authorities were the child’s backpack and laptop. About an hour later, Sterns was seen with Soto in his car, with the Sheriff’s office suggesting that the teenager was already deceased at that time.
Sterns is alleged to have sexually exploited Soto, filming the abuse, as per the Orlando Sentinel, WESH and Click Orlando. Reports indicate that this abuse dates back to 2022 when Soto was just 11 years old. Sterns, however, has pleaded not guilty to all 60 charges.
Prior to finding Soto’s body and during the investigation into her disappearance, Sterns was apprehended on separate charges of sexual battery and possession of child sexual abuse material, stated the sheriff’s office. While these charges were not directly related to Soto’s disappearance, police considered Sterns a primary suspect in the case.
