FL MADELINE SOTO: Missing from Orlando, FL - 26 Feb 2024 - Age 13 *Found Deceased*

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Madeline Soto missing: Florida mom begs for daughter's safe return home​

A mother in Orange County is begging for help locating her missing daughter.

Madeline ‘Maddie’ Soto was last seen on Monday, one day after she and her family celebrated her 13th birthday. Maddie’s mother, Jenn Soto, said surveillance video shows Maddie hanging out in a church parking lot on February 26 after being dropped off for school, but she never made it inside.

"I’m trying to hope for the best, but I’m scared for her," said Jenn Soto. "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."

Jenn Soto said sheriff’s deputies are using K9s and a piece of Maddie’s clothing to try to track her scent near Town Loop Boulevard.

According to Jenn Soto, Maddie had never run away before. She said the teen had forgotten her cell phone at home that morning, but that was normal.

As of Wednesday morning, a variety of search teams are out searching for Maddie.


MEDIA - MADELINE SOTO: Missing from Orlando, FL - 26 Feb 2024 - Age 13
 
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What complicates this is varying stories that they weren't living together, were broken up, he wasn't there, etc. Or was he?
(I'm going back to respond to some of your prior questions.)
Is it only in the Incident report that the "stepfather" picked Madeline up? For some reason, my recall's goin' out of whack, lol!
But if I only go by my impressions from the press conferences and the interviews of the mother and Sterns, I wouldn't think Sterns had picked-up Madeline; I'd presume he was already there to take her.
Now info from the arrest warrant is that he had his own bedroom in the apartment, which I'm sure strikes both of us as very odd, whether he lived there or not.
 
Just as her being dropped away from school was due to her being embarrassed by the vehicle, had you heard that one?
Yeah, that was from the first press conference and so it appears that was his excuse as to why he'd drop off Madeline away the school.
 

Mark Lehman, Reporter
Published: March 21, 2024 at 6:40 AM

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Kissimmee police on Thursday are scheduled to provide an update into the disappearance and death of 13-year-old Madeline Soto.

The Kissimmee Police Department said investigators have been pursuing leads and will highlight the progress of the case during a 2 p.m. news conference, which will be livestreamed at the very top of this story.

Stephan Sterns, the 37-year-old boyfriend of Madeline Soto’s mother, is the prime suspect in Soto’s death, according to law enforcement.

Sterns was the last person confirmed to have seen the girl alive, according to investigators.
I just got up and came in to share the same but see you already have it :)

I have a feeling we are going to get some things with this one to shut down a few of the questions that are unanswered that have created so much talk and hype. Perhaps murder charges are coming but I almost don't think they'd rush those... It wouldn't be hard to believe they've got a ton more sexually related charges just with what has it been another week of hard work and followng those leads.

Pursuing leads is an interesting phrase.

So many don't hold pressers once an investigation starts and share little when they do but this sounds like they intend to provide updates and progress so while I think they won't give us everything, I think we will get some things. God forbid if there is more to this meaning more children, more people, a ring, selling child P, and/or mom being a part. It's all bad enough and over the top what we already know.

I hope it at least clears up the questions about mom's statements and gives a bit more info as to timeline and who was where and there and when and so forth.

It could involve more or new charges against either or could just be updates. I know I'm really curious and want to see.
 
It was the sheriff, wasn't it? Lol!
Anyway, yeah, it was in the second press conference that he said that.
Well he was clear on twice saying the Chief of Poilice so I assume he means the Kissimmee Chief, when she took over. I just got up and my brain isn't up on what I've been talking of, let me look back.

So you're confirming it WAS said she was killed in the home? I don't recall it, I of course know they think her dead when in the car in the one video. That's a huge problem for mom IF SO. Seems odd to me that no one out there to speak of seems to know this was said. That would have changed the possibilities for me from the start. I've been assuming she could have been quickly killed by him after they left. Not that it was the likely scenario, but that it was still POSSIBLE.

I know you don't think mom said the statement about seeing her get dressed at 8 but I do for the moment and IF that's true she said it and IF she was killed in the home, the TIMELINE does NOT work. There is no way she was killed after 8 and gotten into the car DEAD and see him returning by 8:19 with her dead in the car. I think that's just about undoable. Unless there's a garage and his car was in it and she got into the car alive and he immediately killed her which would be "in the home" and that's getting too far fetched and way beyond needing too many things to explain away these "facts".

Mom has HUGE problems if she was killed in the home. It may not be quite enough to arrest on (what we know, but what they do might be) because even though not believable she could say she mixed up her days and saw her getting dressed another day but that's NOT believable. It was the weekend the two days before, she had no school.

I wish I'd know that statement by an LE Chief because much of what I've considered would be out the window if that's true. Mom at minimum then would be lying for him and would almost have to know she was dead. At minimum. And if that's the case it makes her part of the cover up as there is NO reason to pick her up at school or report her missing. Yeah if this is all true, she is going to be charged or have to deal to not be (but should be charged) and all of it seems to come from LE...

I think today will clear up some of these details. We can't know but I think they will give a few things that don't seriously affect the investigation to stop the back and forth about this part most likely and all the talk. Maybe not but I think they will.

We can also assume cause of death is known althought there's also controversy over whether that will be shared, something about FL law re autopsy results.

Perhaps also they'll involve the new DP laws against Stephan. One can't ever forget hot politics sadly play into cases and just the "mistaken" sharing of a photo and some other things reeks of politics.

Anyhow, lots of possibilities with the presser and maybe we will all be disappointed and it will be a big nothing but I somehow doubt it. I think something new will come and some things perhaps will be cleared up or put to bed. I don't think of course we will get everything but I think definitely there's reason for it. Probably new news of something and they'll choose a tidbit or two safe to release for the public to give a clearer picture. That's my bet anyhow lol.
 
(I'm going back to respond to some of your prior questions.)
Is it only in the Incident report that the "stepfather" picked Madeline up? For some reason, my recall's goin' out of whack, lol!
But if I only go by my impressions from the press conferences and the interviews of the mother and Sterns, I wouldn't think Sterns had picked-up Madeline; I'd presume he was already there to take her.
Now info from the arrest warrant is that he had his own bedroom in the apartment, which I'm sure strikes both of us as very odd, whether he lived there or not.
My recall is very out of whack. I blame it on ingesting too much in too many cases too often. Or at least that's what I hope it is lol.

Well I do think the picking up was a controversy because yes I think it was only said one place (couldn't have told you it was the incident report, don't recall) and that word was of course taken to heart. HOWEVER, since then her mother if interpreted correctly said the very same thing in the Telemundo interview. He was not THERE that night but showed up in the morning or WAS there and that she could not understand (paraphrasing) WHY Jenn would have called him or he would be there, etc. I got most of the Telemundo stuff and translation from Plunder who played it all but what she ALSO did was ran her own translation software against the translation shown to see if some things could be interpreted different ways and she found it to be seemingly accurate. She did this with many of the things through Jenn and mom's appearances with Telemundo.

It is these little details though or one wrong word here or there that change the entire picture or possibility.

Now granted grandma could just have thought that at that time but regardless, it is not just the incident report if that's where "picked up" was said, it would be true by grandma's version now too or seem to be corroborated.

Early on in the first house LE too in an incident report could be just relaying what was told them. It's like to this day Suzanne Morphew disappeared on a bike ride yet all indications are that she did not but that's what news still does. It was her husband's initial story and such is what generally comes out first to headlines.

I don't know lol! I'm a bit over and I'm really hopeful this presser will put some of this to bed.

it's a huge difference if he was there or not the right before AND when he did get there if in the morning. One little verb, one little word can change everything! Did he "pick" her up that morning...

Grandma basically said she woke up tired and so called him to do it. Again I'm paraphrasing. But she was really tired.

So let's go the other way--IF he was already there, when did he arrive or was he always there as in lived there... Again it seems not, seems like they were on the outs. Perhaps though that is just what Jenn was telling mom over recent weeks, ashamed she had taken him ack or something and that would imply SOMETHING was known as to why she should NOT...

But let's just say he was. So then when did Maddie get home and did mom pick her up after work at the party, did grandma drop her off at home alone or was he there, did mom trust him there to watch Maddie or did he just show up when Maddie was home alone? These small details that never seem to be given in most cases can make such a huge difference to what we are able to see.

IF mom IS truly innocent, I'd be cooperating even through her attorney advising to get him at least. it has YET though to be confirmed she has a lawyer. No one has been able to give a source for that. It came from a news reporter that also did not source it. POC tracked it back to where they think it was first heard. Doesn't mean it isn't true but it has never been SOURCED, LINKED, CONFIRMED yet all have ran with it.
 
(I'm going back to respond to some of your prior questions.)
Is it only in the Incident report that the "stepfather" picked Madeline up? For some reason, my recall's goin' out of whack, lol!
But if I only go by my impressions from the press conferences and the interviews of the mother and Sterns, I wouldn't think Sterns had picked-up Madeline; I'd presume he was already there to take her.
Now info from the arrest warrant is that he had his own bedroom in the apartment, which I'm sure strikes both of us as very odd, whether he lived there or not.
I agree his own bedroom is odd. Sounds more like roommates and someone paying her for a place, or an arrangement after a breakup where they stay friendly and maybe she needs help with babysitting and getting a kid to school. OR it gives him his own spot to take Madeline and have cameras and you name it set up. Or the stories that mom took some med at night that she took all at once then knocked her out are true and they didn't sleep together at night due to there's no reason to, she's out cold and ma and bf aren't having sex at night are they, forgive the bluntness. yes it is VERY odd. And the reasons could run the gamut. I AM going to assume one reason was break up and some arrangement after that. One of his friends I believe talked of him having his own room there and the lack of sense many things made but of course all his info came from Stephan.

I'm not sure what's going to happen here but I hope you're ready for the possibility mom knew more than any of us know. I'd only hope it was only at the end which is bad enough. I believe she could be clueless and stick her head in sand to a point and needy but not to the point of knowing she was dead and lying for him if that's what happened.

Quite honestly, if he was NOT there until the next morning and she was home alone with her and called him over but they believe Maddie already dead at what time, this could create a whole host of problems for her and he could turn it so her covering for him or lying for him or parroting his story if that is what she did, was REALLY STUPID.

Sadly I've seen (if this is what it is) this level of wanting to believe, excuse and deny in life rather than face what is too much to face. So I can get to a POINT that eing the case, but not beyond and not when everyone says LOOK AT THIS FACT over and over, at that point, you are choosing if cops face you with it, if family has before, if you have caught him before, etc., etc., etc., you are CHOOSING to basically enable if not a bet even.

It's just an instinct I keep getting but I feel there is something between grandma and mom and that grandma was not okay with mom's decisions. I felt it even before Telemundo and I sense it with the birthday party and Jen not attending and then we add the Telemundo we hadn't known of where she coudln't understand his being there or being called to be there and that instinct seems to have things that support it. I get just a feeling from grandma...

Meaning for instance IF there was a catch or some warning that he should not be alone with Maddie EVER and others told her that but she continued to do it anyways...This is SHEER speculation on my part but we do now know this had been going on since Maddie was in single digits :(

It could just be STephan wasn't stable or good for Jenn or treated her right, the feeling I get from grandma. I don't know. I just sense it's not all kosher...

The remark by Jenn in her interview too (paraphrasing) that her family was going gangbusters with flyers, searching, etc. when asked if she was or some such seemed not proud of it but almost like yeah they're going overboard... That tone and delivery was off to me as opposed to other things in her interview... I've seen that I'm not the only one out there that picked up on that...

I'm overanalyzing and can you tell it's my first morning off in a long hard number of days of work? I don't really get time to stop and think and have taken some moments here now to put myself into it rather than some quick few minutes a night or morning or some such and maybe watch one thing, etc. but not be able to take all and look back, think, put together, etc.

Anyhow, I still can believe Jenn had her head stuck in the sand to a point but there's a line with that IF she ever knew or excused anything and that last day or two is looking pretty questionable as to what she knew and if she lied knowingly.

And then there's always what I hope isn't true, the worse possibility she was involved and knew all or knew it for a long time. I don't lean that way but I certainly think it's a possibility.

Nothing is going to surprise me because I think it is all on the table and possible. I just hope it isn't the worst of the worst and that's that she has known for years and even enabled, allowed, helped. I don't think it is but nothing would surprise me these days.

Anyhow, sorry for the long wandering, like I said first day off in a long hard OT week and woke up to news of the presser and had some time to think on the case seeing your responses and that news etc. as I wake up fully. Lol. it's almost routine. Look for me 'Thursday morns for longer ones. Lol. It isn't always the day off but when possible they accommodate it.
 
So you're confirming it WAS said she was killed in the home? I don't recall it, I of course know they think her dead when in the car in the one video.
I went back to see the press conference and the sheriff had already said they believed her body was transported in the early morning hrs, and later, in response to whether she was killed in the home, he said she was killed in Kissimmee.

So many don't hold pressers once an investigation starts and share little when they do but this sounds like they intend to provide updates and progress so while I think they won't give us everything, I think we will get some things. God forbid if there is more to this meaning more children, more people, a ring, selling child P, and/or mom being a part. It's all bad enough and over the top what we already know.

I hope it at least clears up the questions about mom's statements and gives a bit more info as to timeline and who was where and there and when and so forth.

It could involve more or new charges against either or could just be updates. I know I'm really curious and want to see.
Yeah, I'm looking forward to the press conference!

My recall is very out of whack. I blame it on ingesting too much in too many cases too often. Or at least that's what I hope it is lol.
Lol! Yeah, I think it's too much info. You know, I figure we have room for only so much info at a time, how can we possibly remember everything at once?!
Seriously though, following cases as often and as in depth as we usually do surely takes it's toll.

My recall is very out of whack. I blame it on ingesting too much in too many cases too often. Or at least that's what I hope it is lol.

Well I do think the picking up was a controversy because yes I think it was only said one place (couldn't have told you it was the incident report, don't recall) and that word was of course taken to heart. HOWEVER, since then her mother if interpreted correctly said the very same thing in the Telemundo interview. He was not THERE that night but showed up in the morning or WAS there and that she could not understand (paraphrasing) WHY Jenn would have called him or he would be there, etc. I got most of the Telemundo stuff and translation from Plunder who played it all but what she ALSO did was ran her own translation software against the translation shown to see if some things could be interpreted different ways and she found it to be seemingly accurate. She did this with many of the things through Jenn and mom's appearances with Telemundo.
Well guess what? I still haven't heard the grandma's interview but I went to read the Incident Report and the pick-up info wasn't there and so I went back through the thread and found where you'd said it was in the arrest warrant and sure enough, that's where it comes from! Per the warrant, both the mother and Sterns said he'd picked her up.
So, the way it appears to me is that he came waaay too early but yeah, where would he have come from?
 
I agree his own bedroom is odd.
After going back over the warrant, I want to clarify that it referred to "Stephan's room", which to me, sounds like it's only his but I suppose it might not be.

I'm not sure what's going to happen here but I hope you're ready for the possibility mom knew more than any of us know.
Well, like I said, I'd be shocked but I'm sure it'd wear off sooner than later. (lol!)
 
I went back to see the press conference and the sheriff had already said they believed her body was transported in the early morning hrs, and later, in response to whether she was killed in the home, he said she was killed in Kissimmee.


Yeah, I'm looking forward to the press conference!


Lol! Yeah, I think it's too much info. You know, I figure we have room for only so much info at a time, how can we possibly remember everything at once?!
Seriously though, following cases as often and as in depth as we usually do surely takes it's toll.


Well guess what? I still haven't heard the grandma's interview but I went to read the Incident Report and the pick-up info wasn't there and so I went back through the thread and found where you'd said it was in the arrest warrant and sure enough, that's where it comes from! Per the warrant, both the mother and Sterns said he'd picked her up.
So, the way it appears to me is that he came waaay too early but yeah, where would he have come from?
Okay so with your first response I think I do recall killed in KISSIMMEE. Which is different than killed at home by far. That fits the car or anywhere. BUT he said the C of Police said at home and one would THINK that official would know further the case that was handed off to them. That's of course if Police Off the Cuff have it right. He pretty much though tries to stick to COP and LE fact. I never heard the police chief say that but it sure could be my memory or one that I didn't see. IF that's true she said it (I recall that much chief is a she lol), then I would say she knows more from the county that they do think she was killed in the home and not just in Kissimmee as was told us by them and that that was a little tidbit.

I took am FULLY awaiting the presser and hope not be disappointed! I don't think we will have all handed but I do think or hope some things will be cleared up and clarified better AND dont' know whether there will be a new whammy with charges or other things they've found or not but believe it possible.

It is too much info. It was one thing when I didn't work and stuffed a ton in and I retained it well but then with working now try to with some of these LONG and CONVOLUTED cases like Daybell and so on with many deaths, much info through the years, much on it, etc., etc., one can only stuff so much in before something gets pushed out the other side of the brain and is disposed or lol. I also don't get to like spend three days on a new one like this or some such, just hear it, watch as much as can IF even can on a single tired evening or some such or early morn. So yes that's my excuse too.

It does take its toll and over a long time even more so in depth as does too many. I've made some decisions on that which will ease it and it's sad because I'ev always tried to give cases attention that don't get it or no one discusses but I'm done with it when no one else discusses them or cares either. Sad as HE77 but what's the point? Go in and try to get some interest in it and there eis none. I am also going to only give new ones attention by if I've already seen something on it and already know of it.

For instance, I've seen a few where the update is nothing but a nothing bit of annual news. Or a vigil. All cool but responding to it or trying to drums some interest or revive the case often does no good so I'm not going to bother. I'm sad for those families though. Only discussion and going back into cases and making some new noise helps at all but most don't do it anyhow.

Oh ones as we know like JB RAmsey will always be discussed again and again with us but tons won't. And I sure don't have the time.

it's great you went back and looked because I sure couldn't have and don't have the time or energy and thank you.. I trust your word on what is in each thing. I used to do a ton of that myself and provide the info and watch every trial fully etc. but life doesn't allow it now.

That sounds right, that they said he picked her up and it was in the arrest warrant. That says a lot in my opinion. An arrest warrant is a bit different than an initial incident report which I'm still unsure if I've ever read. I probably watched someone who did but again too much stuffed in, can't recall.

So if it is true he picked her up as both mom and he said it you said it says, that changes a lot of things. OR both are LYING. Some of these things if a lie are HUGE lies by Jen Soto IF not true and her daughter is missing.

I know your position and don't even disagree it's possible but some of this just does't wash to her at least knowing and helping to cover up.

It would also put her alone at home with Maddie until morning.

Where did he come from? That's a good question. Did you ever listen to all the interviews of his friends on Gray? Not that you should have but interesting info did come from there. I watched it knowing a lot of their info came from Stephan so not necessarily true but a lot they knew from seeing as to him living with his folks and wasn't with Jen and other things over a period of time. There were many and some friends were from back when but others were from recent days... The recent days one talked of pot and his addiction to Adderall and more.

It's not news reports or LE info but you're smart, we are all smart and there is stuff in these to glean and consider. I have no doubt they've talked to LE as well or offered I imagine.

Finally, Jenn's mom's comments or interview or whatever I saw on Plunder. I am pretty sure I linked it. She did a whole Telemundo one that covered both and like I said she ran her own translation software and stuff too to try to verify the translation. It is the first I knew of the early Telemundo stuff, BEFORE the interviews we all saw.

Plunder is good, she is a bit different than my normal channels. She will dive into the FBs and the SM stuff but choose and warn but the woman also pays for and gets a LOT of stuff through FOIA news has never even thought to do, etc. She puts a bit of speculation out and SM talk for those to decide for themselevs but not overboard. She gets a lot that others don't imo like this Telemundo thing. She digs.

I don't do FB and that crap. Others claim no YT and don't do SM crap but then they know everything from FB lol where they head and yet act as if they are all about facts. It cracks me up.

Anyhow Plunder has the Telemundo. Since you have delved back to the incident report and so on, do you want me to go find which one because I will, where grandma talked too? I would be glad to reciprocate. I do think I linked it and then talked of it here. Not sure though. Recall is iffy lol!
 
Both Ickedmel and Police Off the Cuff are going to cover the presser live. Some may not but others may, I prefer to catch a live show sharing it live where people who have decent audiences and moderators actually chat and discuss cases. I don't often get a chance to catch a live or discuss cases with others that discuss them. There's a lot of non discussion in way too many.

Both shows start before the presser, Mel's earlier than Bill's.

Haven't decided yet which I will watch. Maybe one during and the other after.
 
The only thing I got out of it is that mom did interview with them and that ALL are cooperating except for Sterns.

Someone in chat also said she said "all" the children which I didn't catch, I need to rewatch this big bit of nothing just to see if that's the case.

If you're going to do just a weekly update to say you're still working on it, prerecord it, take no questions you don't answer and don't make the press spend the time to circle and just release it. STUPID imo.

It certainly affected my day waiting for it and I didn't have to travel or set up like reporters. I think it's extremely irresponsible just to basically say it is intricate and they continue to work on it and that's it. Like I said that can be done without having to set up such and have all attend and watch.

I am not impressed and not just because I hoped for info. Even reporters have lives and other news and places they could be.
 
I am rewatching and see in the beginning they said they'd give the press a packet with info on the case after the presser? With WHAT info? There was NO INFO.
 
She answers to one question that "this appears this was all isolated to the home" but I can't hear the darned question as to what she is responding to! The sexual assaults or the murder for instance? Big difference.
 
until they've arrested "those" responsible for her arrest is one remark... Can one put any meaning into "those"... Choice of words...
 
Did hear it again and she said mother cooperated. She did give an interview. And that all close to Maddie for family members have cooperated EXCEPT for Sterns. No HINT at all that mom has lawyered up BUT she did use past tense so hard to say but still made it sound as if ALL are cooperating except for him who did lawyer up so they never talked to him.
 
All of the charges are for children under the age of 18 and you know they are protected, their identity is protected under the law. That's all verbatim. Again are we to take it to mean charges are for more children than Maddie or is this general talk...?
 
It is still a big nothing burger and is going to do nothing but cause more questions as to the few things and what is it she meant anything at all.

Mom cooperating even means nothing if it was just at the beginning. He likely did to with sheriff's office AT the beginning when he handed over phone for instance.

While I think weekly updates that at least they are working on things are called for in all cases, it sure does'nt have to be from some announced presser where they intend to say nothing more. Like I said put out some pre-recorded thing or put it on your FB, X, etc. page because it's just an excuse to get an appearance in and take up time of all.

Imo that appearance didn't help any opinion of her, it hurt it. Surely for all it took and all the people, they've got other work and things to be doing no?

I am disappointed that nothing was provided but that's not all that forms this opinion. There just wasn't any need to do this this way. It's a sheer waste of time and resources.

Some irresponsible twit put out that mom was arrested and then arrested and bonded out. I heard that three different places before the presser even started. I don't know who but I am sure all will find out and go to take such person down and blast them.

Pretty safe to say that's not true. An arrest would have been shared as it is going to be found out.
 

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