The State Attorney’s Office has filed 60 more criminal charges on Tuesday against Stephan Sterns, the main suspect in the disappearance and death of 13-year-old Florida girl, Madeline Soto.
Sterns, who is known as Madeline’s mother’s boyfriend, is facing charges such as sexual assault of children under 12, sexual assault of children 12-18, indecent molestation, and possession of child sexual abuse materials, as per Osceola County court documents.
Sterns has not been directly charged with Madeline’s death yet.
The Kissimmee Police Department provided details about the new charges against Sterns on Tuesday.
Kissimmee Chief of Police Betty Holland expressed gratitude for the State Attorney’s Office’s assistance in seeking justice for Madeline, according to Fox 35. according to Fox 35. “With this being a complex case with many facets, our work is not done, and we are continuing our investigation into the timeline leading up to Madeline’s death.”
Stephan Sterns New Charges by Leigh Egan
As CrimeOnline previously reported, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said Madelin’s body was found off Hickory Tree Road at about 4:30 p.m. on March 1. Police found the body after someone called in a tip, following a press conference.
The discovery was in the area where Sterns had been spotted earlier in the week when he stopped to change a tire, police said.
The defendant claimed that he dropped Madeline off at school the day she vanished, but Orange County Sheriff John Mina said they now believe that wasn’t true and that “she was already dead at the time and that Stephan Sterns moved her body in the early morning hours on that day.”
Mina also said that investigators had surveillance video showing Sterns tossing items into a dumpster, including Madeline’s school-issued laptop and her backpack.
“The State Attorney’s Office has been working closely with KPD and received evidence that gave us cause to file formal charges against Sterns,” State Attorney Andrew Bain said Tuesday.
“We appreciate the thoroughness and detailed attention of their investigation and will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to build a strong case against the defendant.”
Madeline’s mother is not considered a suspect in the case. Meanwhile, Sterns remains behind bars at the Osceola County jail.
Check back for updates.
[Feature Photo via Orange County Sheriff’s Office]