ANATOMY OF A MOTIVE; THE CASE OF MADELINE SOTO AT HANDS OF STEPHAN STERNS

ANATOMY OF A MOTIVE; THE CASE OF MADELINE SOTO at HANDS OF STEPHAN STERNS

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BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON CASE:

WHO IS STEPHAN STERNS: Stephan Sterns has been charged with first degree murder for the death of 13-year-old Madeline Soto. 

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WHAT DID STEPHAN STERNS DO TO MADELINE SOTO? 

She was the daughter of Sterns' girlfriend and they all lived together in Kissimmee. He was supposed to drop her off at Hunters Creek Middle School on February 26, but instead, police say he killed her and dumped her body. Investigators say he'd also been molesting her for years and recording it with his phone.

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WHAT WAS FOUND ON STERN'S CELL PHONE?

FOX 35 previously reported that the images allegedly found on Sterns' phone were graphic and sexual, and the subject appeared to be a child, according to the probable cause statement connected to those charges.

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WHAT CHARGES, OUTSIDE OF RAPE AND MURDER, IS STERNS FACING:

• 8 counts of Sexual Battery on a Child Under 12

• 5 counts of Sexual Battery with a Child 12-18 (Familial/Custodial Authority)

• 7 counts of Lewd or Lascivious Molestation

• 40 counts of Unlawful Possession of Materials Depicting Sexual Performance by a Child Ten or More Images

During law enforcement’s investigation into the disappearance of Soto, Kissimmee Police found several images and videos on Sterns’ phone and arrested him on charges of sexual battery with a child, capital sexual battery and possession of material depicting sexual performance by a child. He is currently being held on no bond in the Osceola Department of Corrections.

State Attorney Bain said, “The State Attorney’s Office has been working closely with KPD and received evidence that gave us cause to file formal charges against Sterns. We appreciate the thoroughness and detailed attention of their investigation and will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to build a strong case against the defendant.”

Sexual Battery on a Child Under 12 is a capital felony, punishable by life in prison if a defendant is convicted. Charges of Sexual Battery with a Child 12-18 and Lewd or Lascivious Molestation carry sentences of up to life in prison if a person is convicted. If convicted, a defendant can receive up to 15 years in prison for each count of Unlawful Possession of Materials Depicting Sexual Performance by a Child.

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STERNS & HIS OTHER CRIMES (MURDER)

Stephan Sterns Indicted for First Degree Murder of Madeline Soto

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – On Wednesday, an Osceola County grand jury indicted Stephan Sterns on First Degree Murder in the death of 13-year-old Madeline Soto.

On Feb. 26, Soto’s mother reported the teen missing to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office after she never showed up for school. During the investigation into the teen’s disappearance, law enforcement found several disturbing pictures and videos on Stephan Stern’s cell phone. Sterns is the boyfriend of the victim’s mother. After the discovery, Kissimmee Police arrested Sterns on Feb. 28 and he is now facing 60 charges including Capital Sexual Battery, Lewd or Lascivious Molestation and Unlawful Possession of Materials Depicting Sexual Performance by a Child. He has been in jail on no bond since his arrest.

Soto’s body was found March 1 in a wooded area in Osceola County, four days after she disappeared. Sterns became a suspect in her homicide and a grand jury indicted him on First Degree Murder after the case was presented to a grand jury.

State Attorney Andrew Bain released the following statement:

“Building a strong criminal case requires working closely with law enforcement and our office began working with deputies and Kissimmee Police in the very early stages of this investigation. Over the past nearly eight weeks, we have collaborated with our law enforcement partners to collect and review a tremendous amount of evidence and information.

“Extensive death investigations can typically take six weeks or longer but because of the solid policework and work of the prosecutors assigned to the case, we were successful in presenting this case to the grand jury in a relatively short time and securing a First Degree Murder indictment. Madeline deserves justice and our office will do everything legally possible to ensure the defendant is held accountable for his actions and the community and Madeline’s family receive closure.”

“This indictment signifies a crucial step forward in our quest for justice and a testament to our commitment to honoring Madeline’s memory,” Kissimmee Police Department Chief Betty Holland stated.

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MOTIVES EXAMINED

I'm just guessing these are logical, evidence based conclusions that you could come to. I think that there's no doubt that Stephan was drugging Maddy with that anesthetic drug that he would have had access to via his father and mother and docking the dogs tails. While I have no doubt that he used this, or some variety of this drug on Maddy; I find it equally as likely that he may have slipped Jenn some "extra medicine" herself; to ENSURE he could be brazen without Jenn waking up or having the ability to physically get up. If that's true, we have pure premeditation as he googled that medication in the week or weeks before this horrible crime. I also think that, based on how Maddy's body was found (face down, hoodie over head), that he sexually abused her on that day, and even the other potential times, that he was returning to the area where her body was eventually discovered. Lastly, why, why, why? We look to then, the manner of death, and what it tells us. To strangle someone with your hands, breaking a bone in their neck is a act of RAGE/ANGER/JEALOUSY. Ironically, or not so ironically, Madeline had made in known up to three weeks before her death, he came to know about said "crush" No exception here. I think that notion of Maddy having a crush, was too much for this predator and insecure man. Pretty sure he looked at Maddy like his "living sex doll" that he could take liberties with; certainly his "property." Property that he can discard, like one of his latex gloves like trash when he is finished. Just guessing, but I think you are going to come down hard on jealousy being the motivating factor.