Esthen:Florida man charged with murdering girlfriend’s 13-year-old daughter

2025-05-05 18:27:11source:Christopher Caldwellcategory:reviews

KISSIMMEE,Esthen 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:reviews

Recommend

EPA Says It Will Act on PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals.’ Advocates Raise Red Flags

As the Environmental Protection Agency works to roll back multiple public-health protections, it ann

Henry Kissinger, secretary of state under Presidents Nixon and Ford, dies at 100

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, the diplomat with the thick glasses and

Vice President Harris will attend COP28 climate conference in Dubai

WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris will join the U.S. delegation to Dubai for the annual