KISSIMMEE, Fla. – A court hearing is scheduled for Monday afternoon for Stephan Sterns, the Florida man accused of the murder of his girlfriend’s daughter, 13-year-old Madeline Soto. Sterns is expected to appear before an Osceola County judge for an arraignment to be formally advised of the charges against him.
Sterns was indicted by a grand jury on a first-degree murder charge in Madeline’s death, which occurred between February 25 and February 27, 2024. Her body was found in rural Osceola County on March 1. The indictment also includes charges related to sexual battery and possession of material depicting sexual performance by a child.
The arraignment is set to determine whether Sterns will plead guilty, not guilty, or no contest to the charges. Questions about the circumstances of Madeline’s death, details about the investigation, and the evidence presented against Sterns have not been publicly disclosed.
Madeline was reported missing on February 26 after her mother discovered she was absent from school. Law enforcement officials have been tight-lipped about the case, citing the ongoing investigation, including the specific cause of Madeline’s death and the events leading up to the discovery of her body.
During a news conference last week, Kissimmee Police Chief Betty Holland emphasized that the evidence suggests Sterns deliberately disposed of Madeline’s belongings and attempted to conceal her body in a wooded area before she was reported missing. The arraignment is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m.
As the case unfolds, further updates are expected to shed light on the tragic circumstances surrounding Madeline’s death and the potential legal repercussions Sterns may face. This article will be updated as more information becomes available.