Mother’s Boyfriend Is the Primary Suspect in a Florida Girl’s Disappearance, Sheriff Says

A missing persons flyer for 13-year-old Madeline Soto and primary suspect Stephan Sterns, far right, on display as Orange County Sheriff John Mina and Kissimmee Police Chief Betty Holland depart from a press conference at OCSO headquarters in Orlando, Friday, March 1, 2024, after announcing that their investigation has led them to believe that Soto was killed by Sterns. Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel via AP

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — A teenage girl who went missing in central Florida earlier this week is likely dead, though her body hasn’t been recovered, investigators said Friday.

Orange County Sheriff John Mina said the boyfriend of 13-year-old Madeline Soto’s mother is the primary suspect in the girl’s disappearance.