Body of Missing Florida Teen Madeline Soto Found; Mother's Boyfriend Named Prime Suspect

The discovery marks a tragic end to the search for 13-year-old Madeline Soto, with the case now being treated as a homicide by local authorities.

The body of 13-year-old Madeline Soto was found in a wooded area in Osceola County, Florida, after she was reported missing earlier in the week.
Stephan Sterns, the boyfriend of Madeline's mother, has been named the prime suspect in the case and was arrested on unrelated charges of sexual battery and possession of child sexual abuse material.
Authorities believe Madeline was already dead when Sterns moved her body early Monday morning, with video evidence showing Sterns discarding items in a dumpster.
Investigators recovered Madeline's backpack and school-issued laptop from the dumpster, further implicating Sterns in her disappearance.
The case has now transitioned into a homicide investigation, with Kissimmee Police Department taking over as the lead agency.