We're hearing for the first time what Stephan Sterns told police about the disappearance of 13-year-old Madeline Soto the day after she went missing and what her mother described as normal sleeping arrangements with him."She wanted to be dropped off a little down the ways from the school," Sterns told investigators in a Feb. 27 interrogation, adding that she was "very particular about what car she (was seen) getting out of in front of the school."But Maddie never arrived at school. Her body was found in rural Osceola County on March 1 — five days after she was reported missing. Sterns, who is Madeline's mother's boyfriend, allegedly dropped her off near school on the day she went missing.Sterns was indicted on sexual battery and murder charges in Madeline's death."She's a very good girl. Definitely doesn't feel the same around here if she's not here," he told investigators in the first days after she went missing. But in the same interview, he said neither he nor Maddie's mother were out searching the night she disappeared.Documents obtained Thursday from the office of Circuit Nine State Attorney Andrew Bain reveal Sterns had an on again off again seven-year relationship with Madeline's mother. Those documents also indicate the p*rnographic images allegedly found on Sterns' cellphone date back at least two years, and depict vile acts of sexual abuse. However, Sterns deleted most information from his phone ahead of interviews with police. When asked what happened to his phone, Sterns said: "I don't know what the heck I did. But somehow during the massive OS update, I managed to factory reset my phone and lose all of my contacts. All my information."Sworn statements from police Newly released documents show Kissimmee police detectives on March 14 provided sworn statements of their discussions with Madeline's mother, Jennifer Soto, and Sterns."(Jennifer Soto) stated while they were together they… (Jennifer, Stephen and Madeline)… would either all sleep in the same bed or (Madeline) would sleep with her when Stephan was not there," one statement reads. When asked if it was normal that Stephan and Madeline would sleep together without her being there, she said yes, statements say. "(Jennifer Soto) stated if she needed a good night sleep due to her anxiety, she would ask them (Stephan and Madeline) to sleep in a different bedroom." Another statement reads, "Stephan stated (Madeline) always needed human contact when going to sleep. Stephan referred to it as "snuggling." The conversations with Sterns came to an abrupt end when detectives said they showed him images on his phone that allegedly revealed him sexually battering the 13-year-old-girl.Related: 60 charges filed against mom's boyfriend in Madeline Soto caseMadeline goes missingMadeline was first reported missing on Feb. 26. after Sterns said he dropped her off near her school.When her mother went to pick her up at Hunters Creek Middle School around 4:30 p.m., she learned Madeline had not been to school at all that day.Related: Osceola schools attendance policy change goes into effect in wake of Madeline Soto deathArrest madeOn Feb. 28, just a few days before Madeline's body was found, the Orange County Sheriff's Office announced the arrest of Sterns for the disturbing evidence allegedly found on his phone during their investigation. He's been accused of sexually abusing Soto for years. Documents say the sexual abuse dates back to 2022.An affidavit from Kissimmee police says Sterns attempted to factory reset his phone on the same day she went missing.Because these alleged crimes took place at the family's home in Kissimmee, the Kissimmee Police Department took over the investigation into the sexual battery.On the morning of March 1, Sterns was transferred from the Orange County jail to the Osceola County jail.Related: Madeline Soto was sexually abused by mom’s boyfriend for years, documents sayAll eyes on SternsThe day after his arrest, Orange County deputies said they believed Sterns had information regarding the disappearance of Soto, but he refused to answer any questions and requested an attorney.This led detectives to believe Madeline was never dropped off near her school.Once the focus of the investigation changed, detectives started to gather more information about what happened on the morning of Feb. 26.Investigators said they found video of Sterns discarding items into a dumpster at the family's Kissimmee apartment complex around 7:35 a.m.Madeline's backpack and school laptop were recovered from that dumpster.Investigators said Sterns was spotted returning to the apartment complex around 8:19 a.m. with the teen in the car. According to OCSO, they believe Soto was already dead when Sterns was seen with her in the car.Body foundA few hours after officials said this evidence made them confident Soto was dead, the Osceola County Sheriff's Office said they received a tip from someone who said they potentially saw involvement in the case.This tip led search teams to a wooded area near Hickory Tree Road in St. Cloud. On March 1, officials confirmed they had located the body of Madeline.Because of developments in the case and where the body was found, Kissimmee police took charge of the investigation into the 13-year-old's death."This is a sad day for our community and we mourn the loss of such a young life," Kissimmee police Chief Betty Holland said that night.Related: 911 calls released in Madeline Soto caseMore chargesOn March 12, almost two weeks after Madeline's body was found, a total of 60 new charges were filed against Sterns.Sterns was charged with:Eight counts of sexual battery on a child under 12.Five counts of sexual battery with a child 12-18.Seven counts of lewd and lascivious molestation.40 counts of unlawful possession of materials depicting sexual performance by a child, 10 or more images.Related: Expert weighs in on Stephan Sterns murder chargeRelated: Kissimmee police say Madeline Soto's mother has been cooperating with investigation
OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. —
We're hearing for the first time what Stephan Sterns told police about the disappearance of 13-year-old Madeline Soto the day after she went missing and what her mother described as normal sleeping arrangements with him.
"She wanted to be dropped off a little down the ways from the school," Sterns told investigators in a Feb. 27 interrogation, adding that she was "very particular about what car she (was seen) getting out of in front of the school."
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But Maddie never arrived at school.
Her body was found in rural Osceola County on March 1 — five days after she was reported missing. Sterns, who is Madeline's mother's boyfriend, allegedly dropped her off near school on the day she went missing.
Sterns was indicted on sexual battery and murder charges in Madeline's death.
"She's a very good girl. Definitely doesn't feel the same around here if she's not here," he told investigators in the first days after she went missing.
But in the same interview, he said neither he nor Maddie's mother were out searching the night she disappeared.
Documents obtained Thursday from the office of Circuit Nine State Attorney Andrew Bain reveal Sterns had an on again off again seven-year relationship with Madeline's mother.
Those documents also indicate the p*rnographic images allegedly found on Sterns' cellphone date back at least two years, and depict vile acts of sexual abuse.
However, Sterns deleted most information from his phone ahead of interviews with police. When asked what happened to his phone, Sterns said: "I don't know what the heck I did. But somehow during the massive OS update, I managed to factory reset my phone and lose all of my contacts. All my information."
Sworn statements from police
Newly released documents show Kissimmee police detectives on March 14 provided sworn statements of their discussions with Madeline's mother, Jennifer Soto, and Sterns.
"(Jennifer Soto) stated while they were together they… (Jennifer, Stephen and Madeline)… would either all sleep in the same bed or (Madeline) would sleep with her when Stephan was not there," one statement reads.
When asked if it was normal that Stephan and Madeline would sleep together without her being there, she said yes, statements say.
"(Jennifer Soto) stated if she needed a good night sleep due to her anxiety, she would ask them (Stephan and Madeline) to sleep in a different bedroom."
Another statement reads, "Stephan stated (Madeline) always needed human contact when going to sleep. Stephan referred to it as "snuggling."
The conversations with Sterns came to an abrupt end when detectives said they showed him images on his phone that allegedly revealed him sexually battering the 13-year-old-girl.
Related: 60 charges filed against mom's boyfriend in Madeline Soto case
Madeline goes missing
Madeline was first reported missing on Feb. 26. after Sterns said he dropped her off near her school.
When her mother went to pick her up at Hunters Creek Middle School around 4:30 p.m., she learned Madeline had not been to school at all that day.
Related: Osceola schools attendance policy change goes into effect in wake of Madeline Soto death
Arrest made
On Feb. 28, just a few days before Madeline's body was found, the Orange County Sheriff's Office announced the arrest of Sterns for the disturbing evidence allegedly found on his phone during their investigation. He's been accused of sexually abusing Soto for years. Documents say the sexual abuse dates back to 2022.
An affidavit from Kissimmee police says Sterns attempted to factory reset his phone on the same day she went missing.
Because these alleged crimes took place at the family's home in Kissimmee, the Kissimmee Police Department took over the investigation into the sexual battery.
On the morning of March 1, Sterns was transferred from the Orange County jail to the Osceola County jail.
Related: Madeline Soto was sexually abused by mom’s boyfriend for years, documents say
All eyes on Sterns
The day after his arrest, Orange County deputies said they believed Sterns had information regarding the disappearance of Soto, but he refused to answer any questions and requested an attorney.
This led detectives to believe Madeline was never dropped off near her school.
Once the focus of the investigation changed, detectives started to gather more information about what happened on the morning of Feb. 26.
Investigators said they found video of Sterns discarding items into a dumpster at the family's Kissimmee apartment complex around 7:35 a.m.
Madeline's backpack and school laptop were recovered from that dumpster.
Investigators said Sterns was spotted returning to the apartment complex around 8:19 a.m. with the teen in the car. According to OCSO, they believe Soto was already dead when Sterns was seen with her in the car.
Body found
A few hours after officials said this evidence made them confident Soto was dead, the Osceola County Sheriff's Office said they received a tip from someone who said they potentially saw involvement in the case.
This tip led search teams to a wooded area near Hickory Tree Road in St. Cloud. On March 1, officials confirmed they had located the body of Madeline.
Because of developments in the case and where the body was found, Kissimmee police took charge of the investigation into the 13-year-old's death.
"This is a sad day for our community and we mourn the loss of such a young life," Kissimmee police Chief Betty Holland said that night.
Related: 911 calls released in Madeline Soto case
More charges
On March 12, almost two weeks after Madeline's body was found, a total of 60 new charges were filed against Sterns.
Sterns was charged with:
- Eight counts of sexual battery on a child under 12.
- Five counts of sexual battery with a child 12-18.
- Seven counts of lewd and lascivious molestation.
- 40 counts of unlawful possession of materials depicting sexual performance by a child, 10 or more images.
Related: Expert weighs in on Stephan Sterns murder charge
Related: Kissimmee police say Madeline Soto's mother has been cooperating with investigation
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