Madeline Soto missing: What we know about Stephan Sterns, 'prime suspect' in her disappearance
Madeline Soto's mom's boyfriend arrested: OCSO
Stephan Sterns, the boyfriend of Madeline Soto's mom -- the 13-year-old girl who is missing in Orlando -- was arrested Tuesday night on charges of possession of child abuse sex material, the Orange County Sheriff's Office said. Sterns has not been arrested on any charges related to Soto's disappearance, though he is considered a "prime suspect," OCSO said. Video courtesy: Orange County Sheriff's Office
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. - UPDATE: Madeline Soto was killed by her mother's boyfriend, Stephen Sterns, Orange County Sheriff John Mina said during a press conference on Friday afternoon. The update comes after five days of searching for the missing teenager. Click here for the latest update.
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Stephan Sterns, the Kissimmee man considered the "prime suspect" in the disappearance of a missing 13-year-old girl, was arrested Wednesday night, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Office (OCSO).
Sterns was booked into the Orange County jail on charges of sexual battery and possession of child sexual abuse material after detectives found "disturbing" images on his phone, OCSO said.
TIMELINE: Everything we know about 13-year-old Madeline Soto's disappearance
According to the Orange County Corrections Department, the 37-year-old man was set to appear before a judge Thursday morning but waived his first appearance. Sterns is being held in jail without bond.
Who is Stephan Sterns?
Sterns is the boyfriend of Jenn Soto, the Central Florida mother whose daughter, Madeline "Maddie" Soto, disappeared earlier this week.
Stephan Sterns (Orange County jail)
He reportedly dropped Madeline off near her school on Monday. When her mother went to pick her up that day, she learned that her daughter had not attended school that day.
Investigators said Sterns is the last confirmed person to see Madeline. He, however, is not facing any charges in connection to Madeline's disappearance.
What was on his cell phone?
Authorities said several sexually explicit images and videos were found on Sterns' cell phone. Detectives said that whatever alleged actions were captured in the images and videos happened at the family's Kissimmee home, just south of Orlando.
Madeline Soto: 'Prime suspect' accused of having child porn
Stephan Sterns, 37, the boyfriend of a Central Florida mother whose daughter, Madeline "Maddie" Soto, disappeared earlier this week has been arrested on charges of sexual battery and possession of child sexual abuse material, officials said. Sterns has not been arrested or charged in Soto's disappearance. However, he is considered to be a suspect in her disappearance and was the last person to see her, officials said.
They allege Sterns tried to delete evidence from the phone.
Officials did not elaborate further – and it's unclear if the findings are connected to Soto's disappearance.
RELATED: Madeline Soto's mom's boyfriend arrested, considered 'prime suspect' in Florida girl's disappearance
Who is Madeline "Maddie" Soto?
Madeline is a student at Hunter's Creek Middle School, which is located at Town Loop Boulevard in Orlando.
She turned 13 on Feb. 22. She had a birthday celebration the day before she disappeared.
Maddie Soto: Girl, 13, reported missing in Florida
Have you seen Madeline "Maddie" Soto? Orange County deputies are desperately searching for the missing 13-year-old girl who was last seen Monday morning in the area of Town Loop Boulevard and Hunter's Park Lane in Orlando, Florida.
The 5-foot-1, 110-pound girl with blonde hair and blue eyes was reported missing on Feb. 26.
Her disappearance sparked a statewide Missing Child Alert in Florida.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement said Madeline is "endangered," meaning that her physical safety is in danger, such as a predatory abduction or kidnapping.
Her mother said she had never run away before.
Orange County Sheriff John Mina said Sterns dropped her off near the Peace United Methodist Church on Town Boulevard, a few blocks from her school.
It remains unclear why she was dropped off at this location, but Mina said she was possibly "embarrassed" by her vehicle and asked Sterns to be dropped off there.
Sheriff: Madeline ‘wanted to go live in the woods’
Investigators accessed Madeline's cell phone and found information on the phone that indicated that she told people that when she turned 13, she "wanted to go live in the woods," Mina said.
Madeline Soto: Sheriff shares update on missing girl
Orange County Sheriff John Mina shared an update on Wednesday afternoon about the search for Madeline Soto, a 13-year-old girl who went missing days after her birthday. He said over 100 personnel are out in Orlando looking for her, and the search continues.
Madeline has been missing ever since. Her disappearance has since sparked a statewide Missing Child Alert.
A variety of search teams have been out searching for her.
SKYFOX flew over an area of Osprey Park near Hunter's Creek on Wednesday, where multiple crews were seen looking for the teen.
Search crews looking for Maddie Soto near Osprey Park
Search crews are out looking for Madeline "Maddie" Soto in the area of Osprey Park near Hunter's Creek. Authorities said the Florida teen was last seen Monday morning after being dropped off for school.
More than 50 OCSO emergency response team members have conducted searches in various areas and detectives continue to canvas, conduct interviews and follow any possible leads.
If you’ve seen Madeline or know her location, contact the sheriff's office at (407) 254-7000.
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