Stephan Sterns, 37, was arrested on February 28, after authorities found "disturbing" images during a digital forensics examination of his phone. 

According to newly-released arrest documents, Sterns, allegedly subjected 13-year-old Madeline Soto to long-term abuse. Sterns is her mother’s boyfriend.

Soto was reported missing on February 26, just a few days after celebrating her 13th birthday. 

Sterns told the Kissimmee Police Department he dropped her off for school that day. But she never arrived. She disappeared on a Monday.

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Digital Forensics

Sterns claimed he accidentally performed a factory reset on his phone on the same day the girl went missing. A digital forensic examination of the phone and a review of local security camera footage was done during the search for the missing girl.

The examination would recover evidence that incriminated Sterns.

On the phone, videos and images were recovered. They reveal a history of Stern abusing Soto dating back to August 2022, when Madeline was 11 years old. The images show that the abuse too place at the Sterns’ home in Kissimmee where Soto and her mother also lived.

A security camera captured footage of Sterns disposing of items belonging to the missing girl on the day she disappeared. These items include her backpack and school-issued laptop. 

Another video showed Sterns in a vehicle with Soto on the day she went missing. And Orange County Sheriff John Mina was convinced from the images that Soto was dead. 

Sterns was arrested on charges of sexual battery and possession of child sexual abuse material. He has not yet been charged related to Soto’s death.