Missing Madeline Soto's mom's boyfriend is named as prime suspect in her disappearance as he's booked into jail on child porn charges
- Stephan Sterns, 37, the boyfriend of Madeline Soto's mother was arrested on Wednesday for child porn charges
- Madeline, 13, was reported missing on Monday in the Orlando, Florida area
- Sterns has not been charged in connection to the girl's disappearance but is the 'prime suspect'
The boyfriend of a Florida mom has been arrested on child porn charges after being named as the 'prime suspect' in her teenage daughter's disappearance.
Madeline Soto, 13, was reported missing on Monday night in Orlando, Florida after she was last seen that morning near Town Loop Boulevard and Hunter's Park Lane.
Stephan Sterns, 37, the boyfriend of Madeline's mother Jenn Soto, was later arrested for sexual battery and possession of child sexual abuse material. He has not been charged in connection to the girl's disappearance.
Police said investigators discovered 'disturbing images' when they looked through Sterns' phone, along with proof that he attempted to delete evidence of the related material.
After his arrest, Sterns invoked his right to an attorney and declined to speak during his interview.
Investigators said he was also the last person to see the girl.
'Stephan Sterns had an opportunity tonight to come clean with detectives and help lead them to information about Maddie’s disappearance,' Sheriff John Mina said.
Madeline Soto, 13, was reported missing on Monday night in Orlando, Florida after she was last seen that morning near Town Loop Boulevard and Hunter's Park Lane
Stephan Sterns, 37, the boyfriend of Madeline mother, was arrested on Wednesday for child porn charges
'Her loved ones deserve answers and OCSO and the Kisssimmee Police will not stop until we find Maddie.'
The search for Madeline has continues after mother told FOX 35 that her daughter did not make it to school that morning.
'I went to pick her up after school and she wasn't there,' she said before her boyfriend's arrest.
'I drove around and I didn't see anything. I drove back to the school, the school was closed.'
'I emailed one of her teachers, they confirmed that she was absent all day. At that point is when I called 911 because I realized something was truly wrong.'
Jenn spoke as Sterns sat quietly behind her and occasionally looked into the camera.
In another interview, the mother said surveillance footage showed her daughter in the parking lot at Peace United Methodist Church after she was dropped off at school that morning.
Jenn also noted that Madeline left her cell phone at home on the morning she was last seen.
Orange County Sheriff John Mina said that the girl's phone has since been reviewed by police and information on it 'indicated that she told people' that 'she wanted to go live in the woods' once she turned 13.
Sterns has not been charged in connection to the girl's disappearance but is the 'prime suspect'
Madeline's mother, Jenn Soto, is seen speaking to the camera while Sterns sits quietly behind her and occasionally looked into the camera
Police found messages on Madeline's phone that said once she was 13, she wanted 'to go live in the woods.' The girl is seen in a picture with her mother Jenn and her boyfriend Sterns
Madeline's birthday was on February 22, four days before she was last seen.
Authorities have enlisted the help of K9s, search teams and a piece of Madeline's clothing to try and locate her scent.
Missing posters have also been posted all over town and on social media, along with a Facebook group called 'Madeline Soto Strong- Official support Group & Updates.'
A GoFundMe page has also been created to raise funds to assist in the effort to locate Madeline.
As of Thursday, more than $1,600 has been raised and is set to go toward sharing information about Madeline on social media, billboards and printed flyers.
The page also said that the money will go toward 'supporting the family during this difficult time with any unforeseen costs.'
Andrea, who said she was the the mother's best friend said: 'I've watched Maddie grow into the beautiful young lady she's become. She loves arts and crafts, playing video games, and playing volleyball.'
'She's a good kid who is loved beyond measure and we just want her safe at home with her family where she belongs.'
The young girl was last seen wearing a green jacket, black shorts and white Crocs. She has two distinct moles on her face- one on the left side of her nose and another on the right side of her chin.
Missing posters have also been posted all over town and on social media, along with a Facebook group called Madeline Soto Strong- Official support Group & Updates
Authorities have enlisted the help of K9s, search teams and a piece of Madeline's clothing to try and locate her scent. Pictured: A search crew is seen looking for the girl
The young girl was last seen wearing a green jacket, black shorts and white Crocs. She has two distinct moles on her face- one on the left side of her nose and another on the right side of her chin
The girl's aunt, Leticia Nunez, said that she doesn't think that Madeleine would've 'pick up and run away with no trace of anything.'
'I'm trying to believe that she is still alive out there.'
Tatiana Wallace, Madeline's step mother, also spoke out about the young girl's disappearance and Sterns' recent arrest.
'My stepdaughter Madeline has been missing for more than 72 hours. With Stephan Sterns behind bars, we can concentrate on finding her. Share her photo with everyone you know,' she said.
Jenn has also posted online about her daughter's disappearance, but has not commented on her boyfriend's arrest.
'I’m trying to hope for the best, but I’m scared for her. I want her to be okay, I want her to be safe… I don’t want her to come back harmed. I just want her back – whatever that means, I just want her back,' the mother said.
Early Thursday morning the mother posted her daughter's missing flyer on her Facebook and said: 'Please share! Please bring maddie home!'
