Draft:The Disappearance of Maddie Soto

Submission declined on 5 December 2024 by Significa liberdade (talk).

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Declined by Significa liberdade 10 days ago. Last edited by 2601:14D:4A02:3210:B09C:2F60:1337:8B8B 3 seconds ago. Reviewer: Inform author.

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Disappearance and Death of Madeline Soto

On February 26, 2024, at 6:53 PM Madeline Soto was reported missing. This incident would be documented under Orange County Sheriff`s Office case 24-011313. After an extensive search and a report made by a passerby identifying Stephan Sterns with a flat tire in the area. It is believed that Madeline Soto was killed in Kissimmee, Florida, where her family lived in an apartment complex. Authorities suspect that Stephan Sterns moved her body during the early morning hours, according to Sheriff Mina.

Video evidence captured at 7:35 a.m. on February 26 showed Sterns discarding items in a dumpster at the apartment complex, where detectives eventually found Madeline's backpack and school-issued laptop. Additional footage revealed Sterns returning to the complex with Madeline visible in the vehicle. Authorities believe she was already deceased at that time.

Madeline’s mother was informed of her daughter’s suspected death on the evening of February 29. The case, now classified as a homicide, has been transferred to the Kissimmee Police Department.

During a press briefing, Kissimmee Police Chief Betty Holland urged the public to provide any information that might assist the investigation.

Sterns was last seen driving a silver 2010 Lincoln MKZ between 1:00 and 2:30 p.m. on February 26, near State Road 192 and Old Hickory Tree and Nulty roads. Investigators believe he experienced a flat tire and may have been seen changing it in that area.

As of the latest updates, Sterns has not spoken to law enforcement regarding the case. He has been transferred to the Osceola County Jail, where he is being held on over 100 capital sexual battery charges of abuse on a Minor and Murder Charges filed by Kissimmee police.

The Timeline of Significant Events

February 25th

Madeline Soto's birthday party was held at her maternal grandmother Yolanda Zambrano's home. Attendees included two friends and some family members. Stephan Michael Sterns did not attend, as he was not invited and was not liked by JS’s family. Jennifer “Jenn” Lissette Soto, Madeline’s mother, also did not attend due to work.

8:30 PM Madeline was dropped off at home by JS’s sister.

8:40 PM Stephan Sterns allegedly arrives. (Source Page 44, Page 67)

8:45 PM | Roommate Nathalie Already in Bed Nathalie, JS’s roommate, and her 15-year-old son shared a room in the home. She last saw Maddie at approximately 12:30 PM that afternoon and did not see her return as she was in bed by 8:45 PM.

Stephan had moved out three to four months prior after staying for six months. Nathalie reported that although Stephan and Jenn had broken up, they agreed to live together temporarily. She did not see Stephan until the following afternoon on February 26. (Audio recorded conversation, Source Page 875) 10:09 PM Maddie’s phone registers 9 steps. (Source Page 44, Page 67)

10:30 PM Jennifer allegedly arrives home. JS claims she saw Maddie before bed, and Maddie showed her gifts (money and trinkets). JS then ate a Pub Sub in her bedroom. (Source Page 44, Page 67)

11:00 PM Jennifer allegedly sends Stephan and Maddie to bed. (Source Page 44, Page 67)

11:19 PM Maddie’s phone moves upstairs. (Source Page 44, Page 67)

11:30 PM | Roommate Angelica Arrives Home Angelica returns home from work and notes Jenn’s bedroom door slightly open with no sound or light coming from inside. (Source Page 44, Page 67)

11:38 PM Maddie’s phone is plugged into a charger. (Source Page 44, Page 67)

11:39 PM - 11:40 PM | Text Exchange Between JS & SS

11:39 PM: Jennifer texts Stephan: “Make sure she goes to bed right now.” 11:39 PM: Stephan replies: “Ok sweetie, goodnight.” 11:39 PM: Jennifer replies: “Goodnight.” 11:40 PM: Stephan texts: “She’s built her nest and she’s settling in now.” 11:40 PM: Jennifer replies: “Ok good.” 11:49 PM | Telegram App Usage Activity recorded in the Telegram app. (Note: Telegram timestamps reflect Greenwich Mean Time; local time adjustment is minus 5 hours for Florida.)

February 26th

12:00 AM - 7:00 AM: Madeline is killed in Kissimee; Stephan Sterns presumably moved her body.

7:04 AM - 10:55 AM | MADDIE’S PHONE DATA 7:04 AM - Maddie’s phone is unplugged from the charger. 7:05 AM - Maddie’s phone moves 113 steps. 7:15 AM - Maddie’s phone moves 50 steps. 7:16 AM - Maddie’s phone is powered off. 10:55 AM - Maddie’s phone moves 8 steps

7:30 AM Event: Stephan is seen driving his vehicle to the dumpster in Venetian Bay. He is wearing a red shirt and tan pants. He throws away two large white trash bags. In the passenger seat is a white female (Madeline) who appears lifeless, her head slumped over.

7:35 AM | Video Evidence Event:

8:10 AM Stephan Sterns is seen driving south on John Young Parkway (JYP) approaching Thacker

8:19 AM | Video Evidence of Madeline in Sterns' Vehicle At 8:19 AM, video footage shows Madeline’s lifeless body in Sterns' vehicle.

8:30-8:40 AM | Sterns’ Statement Sterns claims to have dropped Madeline off at Peace United Methodist Preschool and watched her walk toward the school.

8:33 AM Stephan exits the rear of Venetian Bay Villas (VBV). Madeline is still in the front passenger seat, in the same position.

9:01 AM Stephan is driving north on International Drive & Central Florida Parkway. Madeline is still in the passenger seat, confirming that she was not dropped off at the school as previously claimed.

9:19 AM Event: JS's phone is removed from the charger.

9:28 AM Hunter's Creek Middle School classes begin.

9:30 AM Roommate Angelica wakes up.

9:30-9:45 AM JS leaves for her appointment.

9:40-10:00 AM Stephan claims he is waiting for the vape shop to open.

9:40 AM | SS Entering Parking Garage Stephan enters the parking garage of a business property located at Destination Parkway and John Young Parkway. He opens the trunk of his vehicle and appears to carry a limp body to the trunk.

10:14 AM Stephan enters VBV through the east gate. Madeline is no longer seen in the vehicle. Source: Page 33

11:54 PM Jennifer’s phone is placed on the charger. (Source Page 44, Page 67)

March 1, 2024:

1:00 PM: Sheriff Mina announced during a press conference that investigators were confident Maddie Soto was deceased.

4:30 PM: Maddie’s body was discovered in a wooded area off Hickory Tree Road. A public vigil was held later that evening in her memory.

March 2, 2024:

Court Appearance: Stephan Sterns waived his first court appearance, represented by his attorney in Osceola County. Autopsy: Detectives attended Maddie’s autopsy, conducted by Dr. Stephan Giles. Preliminary findings noted a concern with her hyoid bone, potentially indicating strangulation. March 4, 2024:

Key Witness: Detectives interviewed a witness, Thomas Carris, who reported seeing Sterns’ vehicle with a flat tire near Hickory Tree Road on February 24. Carris positively identified Sterns from a photo lineup. March 5, 2024:

Timeline Discrepancy: Investigators found inconsistencies in statements provided by Jennifer Soto, Maddie’s mother, regarding Maddie’s whereabouts on February 26. March 6, 2024:

Memorial Services: Both public and private memorial services were held for Maddie. The public event was hosted by Peace Church Orlando. Police Update: Kissimmee Police provided updates on the investigation. March 7, 2024:

Interviews: Detectives continued interviews with associates of Sterns, including roommates and other potential witnesses. March 12, 2024:

Additional Charges: Sterns faced 60 new charges related to Maddie’s disappearance and death. Arraignment Scheduled: An arraignment was set for April 2, 2024, before Judge Keith Carsten. March 14, 2024:

Trial Dates: A pretrial hearing was scheduled for April 24, 2024, with a jury trial set for May 13, 2024. Both proceedings will take place in Osceola County before Judge Carsten.

Legal Developments Sterns, the prime suspect in the case, is being held on multiple charges, including capital sexual battery. He has not made any public statements and is represented by a public defender. The trial dates remain subject to change based on judicial proceedings.

Authorities continue to seek public assistance in the investigation, urging anyone with information to come forward.