Madeline Soto: Florida teen found dead as mother's boyfriend suspected after being caught discarding her belongings

FLORIDA, UNITED STATES: The Orange County Sheriff's Office announced that the remains of a teenage girl from Florida who had been reported missing were discovered in a wooded region on Friday afternoon, as per Fox News.

Significantly, suspicion centers around the mother's boyfriend of the victim, Madeline Soto, as law enforcement authorities have presented evidence indicating his involvement in relocating her body after her demise.

To provide background, Madeline was last observed on Monday morning, when Stephan Sterns, aged 37, and the boyfriend of her mother, purportedly dropped her off several blocks away from Hunter's Creek Middle School in Orlando.

What did Sheriff John Mina report?

Sheriff John Mina said detectives from the Kissimmee Police Department spoke to Madeline's mother on Thursday night. 

They gave her the very sad news that even though Madeline hadn't been found, they believed she was no longer alive. 

Sheriff Mina also said that the case is now being treated as a homicide investigation. Madeline disappeared on Monday when she didn't go to school. 

The sheriff mentioned that Madeline never made it to school on February 26th. Instead, they thought she was already dead by then, and her mother's boyfriend, Stephan Sterns, moved her body early that morning. 

Sterns, who is Madeline’s mother's boyfriend, is the main suspect in the case. He was arrested on Wednesday for different charges, according to Kissimmee Police Chief Betty Holland. Currently, he is in jail in Osceola County.

Sheriff John Mina mentioned video evidence against Stephen Sterns

Sheriff John Mina mentioned that investigators have a video showing Stephen Sterns throwing things into a dumpster in an apartment complex in Kissimmee around 7:30 a.m. that morning. 

After that, detectives found Madeline’s laptop and backpack in the dumpster. He said they also had evidence of Sterns coming back to the apartment complex after 8 a.m. that morning, and Madeline was seen in his vehicle. 

They thought she was already dead by then. Mina pointed out that they can't share a lot of details yet. Madeline’s mother is not suspected of anything in this case. 

Holland mentioned that Sterns was driving a silver 2010 Lincoln MKZ with Florida tag IYLL82 on Monday near Kissimmee, and he might have had a flat tire. 

Mina explained that although the investigation began in Orange County, the Kissimmee Police Department is now leading it.

Internet reacts amid Madeline Soto's death

After the Orange County Sheriff's Office officially announced the discovery of Madeline Soto's body on Twitter, internet users swiftly expressed their condolences to the victim's family. One individual wrote, "My heart breaks for her family to hear this. 💔🙏🏾"

Another user expressed sorrow over her passing and commended the efforts of law enforcement, stating, "Nooooooo! 😢 damn it, I’m so sorry sweet angel. Rest in peace in the arms of Jesus. Great work by @OrangeCoSheriff and @kissimmeepolice you guys are super stars. Please let us know if there will be a GoFundMe set up as I’d like to help."

Meanwhile, a third user empathized, "Madalain I’m so sorry the people that we’re supposed to take care of you, let you down 💔"

The final user remarked, "We need more death sentences for these cases. Poor girl suffering so much at such a young age breaks my heart ☹️"

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.