Grand Jury heard case
A Grand Jury has heard the case on Stephan Sterns and returned their decision this morning.
Sterns will continue through the judicial process and the death penalty is possible.
Officials were able to turn the case over relatively fast in comparison with typical death investigations.
Stephan Sterns charged
State Attorney Andrew Bain has taken the podium to address the press on Madeline Soto’s case.
Kissimmee Police Chief Betty Holland will speak later.
The police department and state attorney’s office have been working on the investigation for seven weeks.
Their investigation has led authorities to charge Stephan Sterns with murder.
Summarizing Madeline Soto’s case
Madeline Soto was reported missing on February 26 after her mother’s boyfriend Stephan Sterns dropped her off at school.
A massive search began for the 13-year-old and it was later discovered that Madeline never made it to school.
The investigation led authorities to evidence that Sterns was sexually abusing Madeline. He was arrested on February 28 and officials confirmed they had located Madeline’s body on March 1.
Sterns was named the prime suspect and has officially been charged with her murder.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call RAINN (Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network) at 800-656-HOPE (4673).
Stephan Sterns charged with first-degree murder
Stephan Sterns has been charged with first-degree murder after he was arrested on March 12.
Sterns was charged with multiple counts of sexual battery with a child, lewd molestation, and 40 counts of unlawful possession of materials depicting sexual performance by a child.
He was named as the suspect in Madeline Soto’s death after her disappearance in March.
A press conference will provide more information at 4 pm EST.
Stephan Sterns spoke to media before arrest, continued
Sterns told WFTV reporters on Tuesday that he had no idea where Madeline could be and he “wanted her home.”
He added that it was “hard not to” blame himself and said that he should’ve waited longer when he dropped Madeline off at school.
Sterns added that Madeline’s mother was “a lot stronger” than he was and Jenn was “handling it well.”
He was arrested the following day on unrelated charges and is now the prime suspect in her death.
Stephan Sterns spoke to media before arrest
Suspect Stephan Sterns spoke to local media outlet, WFTV, prior to his arrest.
He was seen crying in the video and told reporters that the last time he saw Madeline was when he drove her to school on Monday.
Sterns said that Madeline was asleep in the car and he told her that he loved her before she left for school.
“I dropped her off, everything looked fine when I drove away, and that was the last time we saw her,” Sterns told reporters.
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