The search continues for a missing 13-year-old Florida girl who was last seen Monday morning after her mother's boyfriend, whom police are calling the “prime suspect,” has been arrested.
Orange County Sheriff John Mina said Madeline Soto was last seen at around 8:30 a.m. Monday morning at her mother's boyfriend a few blocks away from Hunters Creek Middle School in Orlando. That's when he dropped her off.
When Madeline's mother picked her up from school at 4:30 p.m., she learned that her daughter had not come to school that day and had left her cell phone at home.
A search for the child began that night.
Stephen Stearns, 37, Madeline's mother's boyfriend and the last person to see her, was arrested Wednesday night on suspicion of sexual assault and possession of child sexual abuse material. authorities announced.
Although no arrests have been made in direct connection to Madeline's disappearance, the Orange County Sheriff's Office said, “At this time, Mr. Stearns is considered the prime suspect.”
Orange County Sheriff's Office detectives discovered “disturbing images” and videos that were “criminal and sexual in nature” while investigating Madeline's whereabouts. Authorities said during a forensic examination of Stearns' cell phone.
Attempts to remove evidence were also discovered. The crimes were determined to have taken place at the family's home in Kissimmee, and local police were notified and are taking the lead on the sexual assault case.
shared by department video It shows Stearns being silently put into a police car.
He was interviewed by Kissimmee police and OCSO detectives Wednesday night. He exercised his right to an attorney, was arrested and transported to jail, the sheriff's office said.
“Stefan Stearns had the opportunity tonight to reveal the truth to detectives and help lead detectives to information regarding Maddie's disappearance,” Sheriff Mina said. “Her loved ones deserve answers and OCSO and the Kissimmee Police Department will not stop until they find Maddie.”
Explorations so far
The search for Madeline began Monday night.
Bloodhound smelled Madeline and conducted an “exhaustive search” with no results.
Detectives also accessed Madeline's cell phone and found information on the phone that showed that on February 22, when Madeline turned 13, she had told others that she actually wanted to live in the woods. Mina said.
More than 100 deputies, detectives, intelligence analysts and bloodhounds have searched for her so far, including in a wooded area near the school.
Mina said Wednesday afternoon that Madeline's family home in Kissimmee was being held by the Orange County Sheriff's Office until police were able to secure a search warrant, which was expected to be executed that evening. .
Madeline, described as 5 feet 1 inch tall with blonde hair and blue eyes, was last seen wearing a green sweatshirt, black shorts and white Crocs.
Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call 911 or the Orange County Sheriff's Office.