The Orange County Sheriff's Office disclosed the revelation of the body of Madeline Soto, the missing 13-year-old Florida girl, in a wooded space on Friday afternoon.
Mother's Boyfriend Moved Her Remains
The authorities, earlier in the day, had stated she was lifeless and suspected the associate of her mother's boyfriend in moving her body, marking the case as a homicide investigation, as disclosed by Sheriff John Mina in a press conference.
Osceola County Sheriff's Office search units found Madeline's body around 4:30 p.m. in a wooded area off Hickory Tree Road.
The family has been enlightened, and the Kissimmee Police Department is leading the current homicide investigation.
Previously, Madeline was last seen on Monday morning when her mother's boyfriend, Stephan Sterns, 37, supposedly dropped her off near Hunter's Creek Middle School.
However, evidence disclosed during a Friday press conference indicated that she was never actually dropped off that morning.
Sterns, assumed the "prime suspect," was seized on Wednesday night on unconnected liability, including sexual battery and possession of child sexual abuse material.
Detectives found disturbing images and videos on his phone during a forensic dissection.
Authorities believe Madeline was killed in Kissimmee, where her family resided, and Sterns moved her body on Monday morning.
Video evidence showed Sterns discarding items in a dumpster at the Kissimmee apartment complex on Monday at 7:35 a.m.
Authorities later recovered Madeline's backpack and school-issued laptop from the dumpster.
Madeline's mother was informed of her suspected death on Thursday night and is not considered a suspect.
The case has transitioned into a homicide investigation under the Kissimmee Police Department's jurisdiction. Sterns, who has not spoken to anyone about the case, is currently held on capital sexual battery charges in the Osceola County Jail.
He was seen driving a silver 2010 Lincoln MKZ on Monday, and authorities are seeking public tips regarding his activities in the State Road 192 area during that time.
Authorities Labeled the Case as Homicide
Florida authorities express confidence in the death of the missing 13-year-old Madeline Soto. Orange County Sheriff John Mina forwarded the disastrous news to Soto's mother on Thursday night.
The Kissimmee Police Department has redirected the investigation, treating it as a homicide. Soto was reported missing on Monday when she failed to attend school.
During the investigation, the mother's boyfriend, Stephan Sterns, was arrested on child porn charges and identified as the prime suspect.
Video evidence reveals Stern disposing of items in a dumpster at the family's Kissimmee apartment complex on Monday at 7:35 a.m.
Madeline's backpack was later discovered in the dumpster.
At 8:19 a.m., video footage shows Sterns returning to the complex with Madeline visible in the car.
Investigators believe Sterns killed Soto that morning and moved her body during the early hours. Authorities continue the search for Soto's body, and Sterns is held in Osceola County Jail.
He has refused to discuss Soto's disappearance and has requested legal representation.
Related Article: Florida Police Continues Search for Missing 13-Year-Old Girl, Mother's Boyfriend Arrested
