Stephan Sterns charged in death of Madeline Soto

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Stephan Sterns has been charged with first-degree murder in the death and disappearance of 13-year-old Florida girl Madeline Soto, according to Osceola County court records.

Stephan Sterns, who lived with and dated Madeline’s mother, was previously charged with 60 child sex crimes after investigators said they found evidence Sterns sexually abused Madeline dating back to 2019 when she was 8 years old.

Court documents allege Sterns killed Madeline sometime between Feb. 25 and 27.

A jury trial has been set for Aug. 19. Sterns’ arraignment is set for 1:30 p.m. Monday.

Kissimmee police said “disturbing” images and video discovered on his phone led to the charges, including sexual battery of a child, lewd and lascivious molestation, and possession of child sexual abuse material.

Sterns faces life in prison or the death penalty if found guilty of either first-degree murder or sexual battery of a child.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office said Madeline Soto was last seen alive Feb. 26. That day, Sterns was supposed to drop Madeline off at school but was caught on camera throwing items into a dumpster around 7:35 a.m. Madeline’s backpack and school laptop were later found in that dumpster.

Sterns was again seen at 8:19 a.m. returning to his apartment complex with Madeline in the car, according to the sheriff’s office. Officials believe Madeline was already dead at that time.

Madeline’s body was found in the woods off Old Hickory Tree Road in Osceola County, an area officials say Sterns was spotted in on the afternoon of Feb. 26.

Sterns was first arrested during the search for 13-year-old Soto, who was reported missing after her mother went to pick her up from middle school and found she wasn’t there. During the investigation police found child sexual abuse materials on Stern’s phone.

Police said during the initial arrest that the images and video on Stern’s phone, which he had attempted to delete, were taken at his home.

NewsNation digital producer Stephanie Whiteside contributed to this report.