Madeline Soto’s alleged killer to face death penalty over 13-year-old’s death
Stephan Sterns is facing over 60 charges in connection to the case of slain Florida girl
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Florida prosecutors want the man accused of murdering his girlfriend’s 13-year-old daughter to face the death penalty if convicted.
Stephan Sterns is accused of killing Madeline “Maddie” Soto, earlier this year. The teenager’s body was found several days after her mother, Jenn Soto, and Sterns reported her missing.
They said she failed to come home on February 26. The pair said the child was dropped off near her school that morning but never made it to class.
Sterns is currently facing more than 60 charges in relation to the girl’s death. He’s previously been charged with the girl’s murder, capital sexual battery, lewd or lascivious molestation, and unlawful possession of child sexual abuse materials.
Her mother told police that Maddie wanted to be dropped off a block from the school because she was embarrassed by Stern’s car. Sterns claimed that she looked just as she did on other mornings when she was dropped off.
However, police think the girl was killed a day before school began.
The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office arrested Sterns on February 28 after they discovered “disturbing images” on his phone, which he allegedly tried to delete. Authorities found her body on March 1 near Hickory Tree Road in Osceola County.
Police said the photos were “criminal and sexual in nature”.
Three days later, authorities obtained another arrest warrant for Sterns claiming that he had been sexually abusing the child since 2022.
Prosecutors believe that they can prove the following aggravating circumstances in the case that would allow them to put the death penalty on the table: Sterns had previously been convicted of another capital felony involving the use or threat of violence, the felony was committed while he was engaged in an attempt to commit aggravated child abuse, the felony was heinous, atrocious or cruel and the victim was vulnerable due to her age.
A grand jury indicted Sterns on a charge of first-degree murder in April. A pre-trial hearing in the case has been set for July 10 and the trial is scheduled for July 16.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments