KISSIMMEE, Fla. —
Detectives investigating the disappearance of a teenage girl in Kissimmee arrested her mother's boyfriend as the prime suspect.
37-year-old Stephan Sterns, from North Port, was booked into the Orange County Jail Thursday morning on charges of sexual battery and possession of child sexual abuse material. Police said he was the last person to see 13-year-old Madeline Soto.
Deputies said they discovered "disturbing images when they forensically examined Sterns' phone" during the investigation into what happened to Madeline, who was last seen around 8:30 a.m. Monday when Sterns dropped her off near her middle school.
When Madeline's mom arrived to pick her up from school that day around 4:30 p.m., the school said Madeline never showed up for class, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Office. They also said Madeline had left her phone at home.
Sterns attempted to delete the evidence on his phone, the agency said. Detectives also said the crimes depicted in the images and videos were determined to have been committed at the family home in Kissimmee.
"Stephan Sterns had an opportunity tonight to come clean with detectives and help lead them to information about Maddie's disappearance," said Orange County Sheriff John Mina. "Her loved ones deserve answers and OCSO and the Kissimmee Police will not stop until we find Maddie."
Officials from the North Port Police Department said his current address is in North Port. The agency told 10 Tampa Bay they have provided assistance to the investigation, but could provide any more details at this time.
Madeline Soto has blonde hair and blue eyes. She was last seen wearing a green sweatshirt, black shorts and white Crocs. She is described as being 5 feet, 1 inch tall and 110 pounds.
At a press conference earlier this week, Sheriff Mina said deputies accessed Madeline's phone that was left at home and found information that indicated she wanted to live in the woods when she turned 13 years old. Her birthday was Feb. 22.
Anyone with information related to Madeline's disappearance or the investigation into the charges against Sterns can contact the Orange County Sheriff's Office or share anonymous tips by calling 1-800-423-TIPS.
