Crypen|Florida man charged with murdering girlfriend’s 13-year-old daughter

2025-04-30 10:30:32source:Surpassingcategory:Scams

KISSIMMEE,Crypen Fla. (AP) — The longtime boyfriend of a central Florida mother whose teenage daughter was reported missing in February was charged Wednesday with the 13-year-old girl’s murder, officials said.

Stephan Sterns was charged with first-degree murder for the killing of Madeline Soto, according to court records filed in Osceola County on Wednesday.

Madeline Soto was reported missing Feb. 26 after her mother, Jennifer Soto, said she didn’t find the teenager when she went to pick her up from school. Her body was found in a wooded area several days later.

State Attorney Andrew Bain said at a news conference that prosecutors haven’t decided yet whether to seek the death penalty for Sterns. Bain wouldn’t say whether the teenager’s mother was suspected of wrongdoing, though Kissimmee Police Chief Betty Holland said that Jennifer Soto has cooperated with detectives throughout the investigation.

Sterns was being held in jail on no bond. The online court docket showed no defense attorney listed for Sterns for the murder charge.

Sterns already was facing dozens of charges of sexual battery on a child under 12 and unlawful possession of child sex abuse material related to Madeline Soto. He had been scheduled to be in court for those charges Wednesday, but his public defender filed a motion to delay the trial as they continue preparing their defense.

More:Scams

Recommend

As US Dismantles Its Climate Policy, Other World Leaders Seek Solidarity

As the U.S. Department of State proposed this week to shut down its office managing international cl

'Sopranos' star Drea de Matteo says OnlyFans 'saved' her after vaccine stance lost her roles

Drea de Matteo is opening up about how joining OnlyFans "saved" her amid economic hardship.The "Sopr

Kellogg's CEO says Americans facing inflation should eat cereal for dinner. He got mixed reactions.

Americans are spending more money on food than they have in 30 years, and Kellogg's CEO Gary Pilnick