Current:Home > FinanceBoyfriend of Madeline Soto's mom arrested in connection to Florida teen's disappearance-LoTradeCoin
Boyfriend of Madeline Soto's mom arrested in connection to Florida teen's disappearance
View Date:2024-12-23 20:07:10
The boyfriend of a missing 13-year-old girl's mother was arrested Wednesday in Florida and is now considered by police to be a "prime suspect" in the teenager's disappearance.
Kissimmee police and the Orange County Sheriff's Office took Stephan Sterns, 37, into custody and are now connecting him to Madeline "Maddie" Soto's disappearance earlier this week.
Stern, who authorities charged with sexual battery and possession of child sexual abuse material, was the last person who saw Maddie alive on the morning of Feb. 26, according to an X post by the Orange County Sheriff's Office.
During the sheriff's office's investigation into Maddie's disappearance, detectives found "disturbing images when they forensically examined Sterns’ phone," according to the X post. Reviewing the phone's data revealed attempts to delete evidence — including "images and videos that were criminal, and sexual in nature."
Detectives then determined that the alleged crimes were committed at Maddie's home in Kissimmee, so they immediately notified local police, the sheriff's office's X post said.
'Her loved ones deserve answers' Orange County sheriff says
Stern was brought into the Orange County Sheriff's Office Wednesday afternoon to be interviewed by both agencies.
Before authorities could ask Stern questions, he invoked his right to an attorney and was subsequently arrested, the sheriff's office said. Stern is currently being held in Orange County jail without bond.
“Stephan Sterns had an opportunity tonight to come clean with detectives and help lead them to information about Maddie’s disappearance,” Sheriff John Mina said in the X post. “Her loved ones deserve answers and OCSO and the Kissimmee Police will not stop until we find Maddie.”
Kissimmee police are leading the investigation alongside investigators from the sheriff's office.
"OCSO is still actively investigating Madeline’s disappearance and Sterns is considered the prime suspect at this time," the sheriff's office said.
During a news conference Wednesday, Mina said, "This is every parent's worst nightmare."
"We can't even imagine the pain that Madeline's family is going through," the sheriff said.
The search for Maddie continues
The Orange County Sheriff's Office announced Thursday morning that it had "no substantive updates" into Maddie's disappearance.
The sheriff's office's emergency response team was out looking for Maddie all day Wednesday and has not yet resumed an organized search, according to an update emailed to the media.
"I want to assure the community that we have well over 100 deputies, detectives, intelligence analysts and specialized personnel who are investigating this case and searching for Madeline right now," Mina said during the news conference Wednesday.
Detectives from the sheriff's office and Kissimmee police continue to canvass certain areas Thursday morning as the agencies follow up on all investigative leads to find Maddie, the update said.
"OCSO and KPD continue to work together with maximum effort toward bringing Madeline home," the sheriff's office said.
veryGood! (4778)
Related
- California voters reject proposed ban on forced prison labor in any form
- Italian Oil Company Passes Last Hurdle to Start Drilling in U.S. Arctic Waters
- Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Meta other tech firms agree to AI safeguards set by White House
- Another Rising Cost of Climate Change: PG&E’s Blackouts to Prevent Wildfires
- Pentagon secrets leaker Jack Teixeira set to be sentenced, could get up to 17 years in prison
- Renewable Energy Standards Target of Multi-Pronged Attack
- The COVID public health emergency ends this week. Here's what's changing
- CBS News poll finds most say Roe's overturn has been bad for country, half say abortion has been more restricted than expected
- The ancient practice of tai chi is more popular than ever. Why?
- Do you freeze up in front of your doctor? Here's how to talk to your physician
Ranking
- USMNT Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal Leg 1 vs. Jamaica: Live stream and TV, rosters
- Search for missing Titanic sub yields noises for a 2nd day, U.S. Coast Guard says
- New York prosecutors subpoena Trump deposition in E. Jean Carroll case
- Judge to unseal identities of 3 people who backed George Santos' $500K bond
- Jeep slashes 2025 Grand Cherokee prices
- RHONJ's Teresa Giudice Wants Melissa Gorga Out of Her Life Forever in Explosive Reunion Trailer
- Rochelle Walensky, who led the CDC during the pandemic, resigns
- He helped craft the 'bounty hunter' abortion law in Texas. He's just getting started
Recommendation
-
BITFII Introduce
-
Coal Miner Wins Black Lung Benefits After 14 Years, Then U.S. Government Bills Him
-
10-year-old boy uses musical gift to soothe homeless dogs at Texas shelter
-
What Dr. Fauci Can Learn from Climate Scientists About Responding to Personal Attacks Over Covid-19
-
John Robinson, successful football coach at USC and with the LA Rams, has died at 89
-
Major psychologists' group warns of social media's potential harm to kids
-
The Truth About Tom Sandoval and Influencer Karlee Hale's Relationship
-
Why LeBron James Is Considering Retiring From the NBA After 20 Seasons