Stephan Sterns accused
State Attorney Andrew Bain took the podium to speak to the press about Madeline Soto’s case.
Kissimmee Police Chief Betty Holland will speak later.
The police department and the State Attorney’s Office have been working on the investigation for seven weeks.
The investigation led authorities to charge Stephan Sterns with murder.
Summarizing the case of Madeline Soto
Madeline Soto was reported missing on February 26 after her mother’s boyfriend, Stephan Sterns, dropped her off at school.
A massive search began for the 13-year-old girl and it was later discovered that Madeline never arrived at school.
The investigation led authorities to evidence that Sterns was sexually abusing Madeline. He was arrested on February 28th and authorities confirmed that they located Madeline’s body on March 1st.
Sterns was named the prime suspect and was officially charged with her murder.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call RAINN (Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network) at 800-656-HOPE (4673).
Stephan Sterns charged with first-degree murder
Stephan Sterns was charged with first-degree murder after he was arrested on March 12.
Sterns was charged with multiple counts of sexual assault with a child, lewd sexual abuse and 40 counts of unlawful possession of materials depicting sexual performance by a child.
He was named as a suspect in the death of Madeline Soto after she disappeared in March.
A press conference will provide more information at 4pm EST.
Stephan Sterns spoke to the media before the arrest, he continued
Sterns said TVF reporters on Tuesday that he had no idea where Madeline might be and that he “wanted her home.”
He added that it was “hard not” to blame himself and said he should have waited longer when he dropped Madeline off at school.
Sterns added that Madeline’s mother was “a lot stronger” than him and Jenn was “handling it well.”
He was arrested the next day on unrelated charges and is now the prime suspect in her death.
Stephan Sterns spoke to the media before the arrest
Suspect Stephan Sterns spoke to local media, TVFbefore his arrest.
He was seen crying in the video and told reporters that the last time he saw Madeline was when he took her to school on Monday.
Sterns said Madeline was sleeping in the car and told her he loved her before she left for school.
“I left her, everything seemed fine when I left and that was the last time we saw her,” Sterns told reporters.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
