Florida police arrest boyfriend of missing teen’s mother on unrelated charges
Stephen Stearns, 38, has been named the “prime suspect” in the February disappearance of his girlfriend’s 13-year-old daughter Madeline Soto, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. Soto was found dead shortly after his arrest, and Stearns was charged with first-degree murder on Wednesday, April 24.
A Florida man arrested in February during the investigation into the disappearance and death of his girlfriend’s teenage daughter has been formally charged with murder.
Stephen Stearns, 38, who was arrested on Feb. 28 on unrelated charges, was charged Wednesday with first-degree murder in connection with the death of 13-year-old Madeline Soto, Osceola County Jail records show. He was indicted.
Soto, who was found dead on March 1, was allegedly killed by Stearns between February 25 and February 27, according to the indictment. FOX 13 Tampa Bay.
Kissimmee Police Chief Betty Holland said at a press conference Wednesday afternoon that “the person entrusted with Madeline’s safety disposed of Madeline’s belongings before she was reported missing. “Evidence shows that he took a calculated move to place the body in a wooded area.”
Madeline Soto disappearance: Boyfriend of missing Florida teen mother arrested, named ‘prime suspect’
Stephen Stearns, 38, was charged with first-degree murder, along with dozens of sexual charges, in the death of his girlfriend’s 13-year-old daughter, Madeline Soto. (Osceola County Jail)
Stearns, who was dubbed the “top suspect” in Soto’s disappearance in February, was initially detained on charges of sexual assault and possession of child sexual abuse materials after handing over his cell phone to police. .
In announcing Stearns’ arrest, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said its digital forensics unit determined that the images and videos stored on Stearns’ cell phone were “criminal and sexual in nature.” He said he was able to make it clear. Police have not said whether Soto was involved in the photos or videos.
In March, he was charged with eight counts of sexual assault of a child under the age of 12, five counts of sexual assault of a child between the ages of 12 and 18, seven counts of lewd and obscene sexual abuse, and possession of material depicting sexual acts. He was also charged with 40 counts of illegal possession. by a child.
According to FOX 13, court documents from those cases hint that Stearns may have been abusing Madi in the years leading up to her disappearance and death.
Main suspect in Soto disappearance murders face; 60 new child sex crime charges
13-year-old Madelyn “Maddie” Soto was last seen by her mother’s boyfriend around 8:30 a.m. on Monday, February 26, and was found dead on March 1. It was done. (Orange County Sheriff’s Office)
As of Wednesday, Stearns is the only person charged in Soto’s disappearance and death, but the investigation remains active, said Will Jay, head of the state’s attorney’s office homicide division for the 9th Judicial Circuit.
At the time of his arrest in February, police said Stearns last saw Soto on Feb. 26, when he allegedly dropped her off at school a few blocks away that morning.
When her mother picked her up around 4:30 p.m., she learned what happened next. Maddy never went inside the school. That day.
Stearns was charged with first-degree murder on Wednesday, April 24, nearly two months after Madeline Soto was found dead. (Orange County Sheriff’s Office)
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State Attorney Andrew Bain said Wednesday that a decision has not yet been made on whether to seek the death penalty against Stearns.
Asked about the possibility of the death penalty, Bain said: “Discussions will continue over the coming weeks to ensure the appropriate legal decision is made in this case.”
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Stearns remains in the Osceola County Jail without bail.
