Florida Police Continues Search for Missing 13-Year-Old Girl, Mother's Boyfriend Arrested

13-year-old missing girl suspects mother's boyfriend

By Jackelyn Cornejo , Parent Herald Mar 01, 08:19 am

A 13-year-old girl, Madeline Soto, is presently missing in Florida, last noticed on Monday when her mother's boyfriend dropped her off near Hunter's Creek Middle School in Orlando.

13-Year-Old Florida Girl Missing Since Monday

The mother's boyfriend, Stephan Sterns, has been arrested on charges of sexual battery and possession of child sexual abuse material, though not directly linked to Madeline's disappearance.

The Orange County Sheriff's Office considers Sterns the prime suspect and found disturbing images on his phone during the investigation.

Attempts to delete evidence were also discovered. Stephan Sterns, a 37-year-old, was the last person to see Madeline when he dropped her off near her school in Orlando on Monday morning. Madeline is still missing, and heeds for her security continue.

Defined with blonde hair and blue eyes, she stands at 5 feet 1 inch tall and weighs 110 pounds. She was last noticed wearing a green sweatshirt, black shorts, and white Crocs.

Authorities disclosed that Madeline left her phone at home on the day she went missing, and data on the device implied her eagerness to live in the woods after turning 13 last week.

The Orange County deputies believed that Madeline Soto, a 13-year-old girl, was last noticed near Hunter's Park Lane and Town Loop Boulevard in Orlando at roughly 8:30 a.m. on Monday.

The Orange County Sheriff's Office provided a characterization of Soto, mentioning that she was wearing black shorts, a green sweatshirt, and white Crocs.

Authorities' Continued Efforts to Find Madeline Soto

The search for Madeline involved expanded efforts, along with interviews with family and friends, searches on foot, horseback, and ATVs, and the distribution of over 50 members of the emergency response team.

Detectives were also canvassing areas, conducting interviews, and following leads.

Madeline's phone, found at home, revealed that she had expressed a desire to live in the woods after turning 13 less than a week ago.

Concerns grew among local residents, with some expressing fear and sympathy for the parents. Orange County Sheriff John Mina shared facts about Soto's last known spot, stating that her mother's boyfriend, Stephan Sterns, dropped her off a few blocks from Hunter's Creek Middle School.

When Madeline's mother went to pick her up at 4:30 p.m., she was enlightened that the youth had not attended school that day.

Sheriff Mina expressed uncertainty about the circumstances of Madeline's disappearance, emphasizing the need for public assistance.

Initial search efforts, including the use of bloodhounds, proved unsuccessful. The family home in Kissimmee is being held for summons, a standard practice in such inquest.

In spite of not meeting the criteria for an Amber Alert, the Orange County Sheriff's Office is attentive for Madeline's security, and the search is continuing.

The community is pushed to contact the Orange County Sheriff's Office at 407-254-7000 or call 911 with any data.

While certain investigative leads are being followed, there are no specific plans for organized searches as of Thursday.

Various agencies are actively working on leads to locate Madeline Soto.