TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)— Madeline Soto, whose body was found last week after her disappearance in late February, had been sexually abused for nearly two years by her mother’s boyfriend, according to video and photographs found by Kissimmee police.
An affidavit made public Tuesday states say Stephan Sterns, 37, sexually abused Madeline in August 2022 when she was 11 years old.
The affidavit said photos and videos of the assault were discovered by investigators when searching Sterns’s phone during the search for Madeline.
While the victim’s name is redacted in the affidavit, a birthdate matching that of Madeline is in the document as well as a reference to the victim as “the missing juvenile.”
Related video: Community honors missing 13-year-old Florida girl found dead
Sterns is facing two counts of sexual battery of a minor and counts of possession of child sexual abuse material. For a sexual battery of a minor under 12, Sterns could face the death penalty.
