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

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.

www.fox35orlando.com

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

 

[Regina]

The SA apparently was not evil, she does not want to think he is evil and only if he killed her is he evil more or less, etc.

She never said she was ok with the sexual abuse of her daughter nor that she was ok with Sterns that he'd sexually abused her daughter!

How about the way the detective referred to the sexual abuse as a "sexual relationship"?
Or Chris Sterns having characterized it as an "inappropriate relationship"?
It still rubs me the wrong way, I mean, WTH?

 

[Regina]

he wasn't part of all her lies and claimed times and knowledge though. Not sure which thing you are referring to here of her many. I'd have to go back to see what I was referring to and I am about out of time.

I was talking about Chris Sterns' "25 minutes", that there are three (or four, lol!) possibilities as to how that could make sense.
I'm not worried about it, it's just that you seem to think it's another of Jennifer's lies or schemes or what ever.
What happened was, he pretended to be asleep and as soon as Jennifer was asleep, he hauled donkey (lol!) to Northport.
Remember, he'd just handed over his phone to detectives and I think he was worried about what they'd find on the computer at his parent's home.

 

[Regina]

Sorry, my post above might not be clear as to what I was trying to point out.
(And for me, it's scenario that serves as yet another example of Jennifer showing consciousness of innocense.)
What Jennifer did was call the father and tell him that she had no idea where his son was, that he was gone without a word, no note, not a smoke signal or vape what ever (lol!)...
Look at it this way: it's logical that when she woke up and saw that he was gone and didn't know where he was, that she'd call his father to see if they were together.
And the only way the "25 minutes" makes sense is that by the time she called, he'd been gone (to her knowledge) for at least that long.

 

[GrandmaBear]

She never said she was ok with the sexual abuse of her daughter nor that she was ok with Sterns that he'd sexually abused her daughter!

How about the way the detective referred to the sexual abuse as a "sexual relationship"?
Or Chris Sterns having characterized it as an "inappropriate relationship"?
It still rubs me the wrong way, I mean, WTH?

If I get time, maybe honestly next week or late this week, I will link it. She says it but more by omission and saying how the murder is only what would make him evil, the other is different to her. There is little other way to take it imo.

I did not like the detective referring to it as a relationship, totally agree or could they be having a relationship, etc.? Many people have pointed that out out there and I agree. However, it also could be intentionally said that way to JS because saying did you know he was molesting, SAing, Ring your daughter, etc. is not going to result in an answer and one has to admit when they could have honed in and used a harsher tactic, they soft pedaled her.

I don't recall that specific remark from his dad but don't dispute it, he very well may have put it that way.

IMO JS with the detective basically said without really saying she was fine with the SA and he was only evil if he killed her. I beg to differ and it was not a good look and how anyone can still think such at that point, I don't know. And her reason for the rule of no sleepovers with him... That was quite a thing in the interview too, and I think she knew something had went on even in MS's early years. It is difficult for me to look at it any other way after hear HER say as she said.

I haven't felt this way all along but I am leaning that way now as more is gleaned.

You know there are women who think men will just be men and women that also will accept something and even later as the child gets older blame the child for being flirtatious, etc. Jenn put a rule in placee, that she broke, for a reason imo.

Again if I get a chance I will link some days from now the exact portion of a lot of this.

The detective said to her, he would never need that kind of rule and that something had to prompt the need for one. The first time she pivoted the question or seemed not to get it and then he went back to it. You don't need one if nothing ever happened because most parents would never even consider it an option or necessary to make such a rule. Their kid simply would never be alone with the person. Probably not phrasing it right but this was really a damning thing to me and the whole conversation of a few minutes about all these things...

I also don't know how you can face the SA, accept, absorb, and be whatever with it if you did not know but still think or believe he may not have killed her. WHO was with her for goodness sakes? Who came to town? Who did she sleep with? Who "took" her to school (not)? The very person you've seen now pics of and were told threw her things in the dumpster and was SAing her for years? So why still at that point in this defense of him?

I mean at minimum as the detective also pretty much said, she is picking him still over her daughter...

I can't fathom it, I'm sorry. And I do think she knew or there had been things noticed before, hence the rule, that she broke when she selfishly needed something... That rule was not abided by anyhow imo. And what's the difference if you send your daughter to bed with a man alone or is alone with him during waking hours unchecked on...

For me, I've stayed open on her and am just taking in what comes and then adjusting my opinion. I am not convinced she did not know of the murder either nor a plan for it. I have not decided that yet though and it could still go either way but I sure am leaning towards she knew of the SA and in her head it may be was also on her daughter and after all, she feared a Woody Allen thing.

I know you are fine with a strong discussion and I love that about you. And you never take anything as if intended personally. Maybe one day the world will revert to that although I doubt it lol.

 

[GrandmaBear]

I was talking about Chris Sterns' "25 minutes", that there are three (or four, lol!) possibilities as to how that could make sense.
I'm not worried about it, it's just that you seem to think it's another of Jennifer's lies or schemes or what ever.
What happened was, he pretended to be asleep and as soon as Jennifer was asleep, he hauled donkey (lol!) to Northport.
Remember, he'd just handed over his phone to detectives and I think he was worried about what they'd find on the computer at his parent's home.

Well at minimum, her big mistakes throughout have been claiming things and times she did not know, sightings she never had and more. If you don't know and your daughter is missing, you tell the truth and as the case got more obviously worrisome, she continued to do such things.

I guess one could say she is her own worse enemy.

It's an investigation, a search, etc. you don't assume, give times, claim you saw her etc. You give FACTS. I have seen so much of JS to know she is far from not with it or unintelligent.

And yes he did haul donkey lol to Northport. He also took her keys, her car and did so more than once. His dad had to ask her if he keys were there...

Again she did not say oh he's been gone 20 minutes is all I now because that's as long as I have been up so that's my "GUESS"... She does and has done the same thing with officers, as if her times and seeing her were fact, and so on.

To this day, I see nothing in her that is about her daughter rather than herself. I have allowed for denial and a lot of other things but it is fading and much of such has faded.

And her claims of on one hand she ever sent them to bed together, or however she put it, or allowed it, on the ONE night she ended up dead, she needed her sleep, had missed her meds the day before, etc. and all about her. Yet claims to have always slept as a threesome or just her and Maddie when he was not there... It just doesn't add up. For me anyhow.

I see no GUILT either of the ONE night, the big night she is the one who needed them sleeping together... None. The one that arrange for him to take her to school, was so into her selfish needs, etc. Both were actually. The "adults"...

I don't have a horse in the race just taking in what comes out and seeing where it leads me. I am not invested as to whether she is guilty of something or innocent, in fact, I'd hope the latter but I do know I'd be guilty myself to no end and all she worries about is now her own butt and covering his or sure did for a long time.

I don't even see how anyone can be decided and I don't look for things either to match what I think as I still am undecided on most. Re her anyhow.

I think we match on him. LOVED the donkey remark lol.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Sorry, my post above might not be clear as to what I was trying to point out.
(And for me, it's scenario that serves as yet another example of Jennifer showing consciousness of innocense.)
What Jennifer did was call the father and tell him that she had no idea where his son was, that he was gone without a word, no note, not a smoke signal or vape what ever (lol!)...
Look at it this way: it's logical that when she woke up and saw that he was gone and didn't know where he was, that she'd call his father to see if they were together.
And the only way the "25 minutes" makes sense is that by the time she called, he'd been gone (to her knowledge) for at least that long.

I get all that. But it's like seeing Maddie getting dressed, 8 a.m. and so much more. SAY so then. Well I don't know Chris, I've been passed out all night but been up about 25 minutes so I assume he has been gone that long but I really don't know, he may have had his insomnia (which they all talk of) and was worried and decided to go look for Maddie in the middle of the night, so no idea how long he's been gone really...

I know this was just to dad but she has done this with investigation facts and statements, etc. More than once.

So I can follow the logic of how long she'd been up, can you follow what I am saying here too?

I also have watched some things that maybe both of us have not, and had some things pointed out that maybe you haven't.

You know, the big thing with me is there is too much of it, not one instance. She admits to or later claims not knowing the time he came in for the dog, and then admits to she never saw her getting dressed at what time and that one is huge, and I don't buy her explanation that she wanted to believe she saw her.... That one is beyond belief to me. It is a very poor answer and skews or can any investigation.

At minimum in early days, she was saying what he asked her to say...

My thing is too many times and too many coincidences... Too many lies. Too many anything.

There is neglect here at minimum. At the very least. I've seen people charged for a heck of a lot less than what is in this one already so far, in other cases. She knows it too.

Of course this is just my opinion and thank God there are one or two I can have a darned good discussion with lol!

 

[Regina]

If I get time, maybe honestly next week or late this week, I will link it. She says it but more by omission and saying how the murder is only what would make him evil, the other is different to her. There is little other way to take it imo.

Don't bother to link it- I'm sure we've heard the same thing, we just don't take it the same way.

I get all that. But it's like seeing Maddie getting dressed, 8 a.m. and so much more. SAY so then. Well I don't know Chris, I've been passed out all night but been up about 25 minutes so I assume he has been gone that long but I really don't know, he may have had his insomnia (which they all talk of) and was worried and decided to go look for Maddie in the middle of the night, so no idea how long he's been gone really...

I know this was just to dad but she has done this with investigation facts and statements, etc. More than once.

So I can follow the logic of how long she'd been up, can you follow what I am saying here too?

No, because when Sterns finally showed up back at the hotel- you know, it must have near noon if not later- he gave the same b.s. story to both Jennifer and his father but there was nothing said when he'd left. Neither of them had any idea that he'd actually been gone since about 4-something that morning.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Don't bother to link it- I'm sure we've heard the same thing, we just don't take it the same way.

No, because when Sterns finally showed up back at the hotel- you know, it must have near noon if not later- he gave the same b.s. story to both Jennifer and his father but there was nothing said when he'd left. Neither of them had any idea that he'd actually been gone since about 4-something that morning.

Okay I won't. We probably did see the same things but I have to tell you when I watched this interview I thought, I don't recall all this until I watched it in this.

I was questioning self as to whether I heard it at all or heard it in this order... That's why I wanted to share it but believe me, no time to do right now anyhow.

As far as the second part, yes, but Jenn throughout has given times as if she knows and can be sure and all of that is based on what he told her, her wakeup times or he total lack of knowledge even. You do not say such things as if fact in an investigation like this and she has done so throughout.

By the way, I was tickled to run into you elsewhere on this case and discuss it! with others too.

A lot going on, hopefully a week or two brings a big thing off my plate. A final thing actually, so long as nothing else in life throws any curve ball for awhile.

You are one of my favorites because you discuss and take nothing personal ever. Or think there is something that way in anything. I love to debate, discuss, and have conversation.

Jenn does remind me of a few people in my lifetime but beyond. We likely are not going to agree on her as my opinion is changing but I still am not at a solid one. I do think she had warnings or suspicions, that plays into what I was going to link. NO ONE NEEDS such a rule as it is not even a question no, such would never be allowed. Detective pretty much said that, she averted and pivoted and it came back to it. So you did see that?

We do agree on him, am I correct on that? For sure, no doubt? SS?

 

[Regina]

As far as the second part, yes, but Jenn throughout has given times as if she knows and can be sure and all of that is based on what he told her, her wakeup times or he total lack of knowledge even. You do not say such things as if fact in an investigation like this and she has done so throughout.

Well, she could only guess as to what time she woke up to Sterns leashing the dog but besides that, she was asked what Sterns told her and that's what she told them.
I think detctives were comparing what he told them and what he told her.

By the way, I was tickled to run into you elsewhere on this case and discuss it! with others too.

That's goes double for me!

A lot going on, hopefully a week or two brings a big thing off my plate. A final thing actually, so long as nothing else in life throws any curve ball for awhile.

Well it will throw a curve ball but hopefully not so many all at once, lol!
Bummer you're so busy! Too busy!

You are one of my favorites because you discuss and take nothing personal ever. Or think there is something that way in anything. I love to debate, discuss, and have conversation.

Again, double for me!
Anyway, I know your intentions are good!
This one's for you.

 

[Regina]

We do agree on him, am I correct on that? For sure, no doubt? SS?

Oh, for sure, no doubt!

 

[Regina]

Jenn does remind me of a few people in my lifetime but beyond. We likely are not going to agree on her as my opinion is changing but I still am not at a solid one. I do think she had warnings or suspicions, that plays into what I was going to link. NO ONE NEEDS such a rule as it is not even a question no, such would never be allowed. Detective pretty much said that, she averted and pivoted and it came back to it. So you did see that?

No, I see her entirely different than you do and don't get me started on that detective, lol!

 

[GrandmaBear]

Well, she could only guess as to what time she woke up to Sterns leashing the dog but besides that, she was asked what Sterns told her and that's what she told them.
I think detctives were comparing what he told them and what he told her.

That's goes double for me!

Well it will throw a curve ball but hopefully not so many all at once, lol!
Bummer you're so busy! Too busy!

Again, double for me!
Anyway, I know your intentions are good!
This one's for you.

LOL very fitting song title. No time right now to listen to the lyrics. .

Hold the curve balls til I handle the ones coming this week by the minute n another matter. LOL.

Too busy is unlikely to change but stress levels in more than one arena should be changing for the better, first time in long time, IF can complete this successfully in coming days. Maybe if professionals could do their job... But nope...

Yeah, re the Jenn thing. I just think she was unwise and stayed unwise at minimum stating things and times as if she knew if she had no real knowledge nor way of knowing, and she did it aplenty, continually and on different occasions.

 

[GrandmaBear]

No, I see her entirely different than you do and don't get me started on that detective, lol!

I'm not so sure of that. I can see her in two ways. I am trying to determine which is correct or if it a blend.. And imo she has admitted to not being honest and so that's there.

I think this is one of the most exceptional investigations I've seen and find the detectives very impressive. Of course, there was the one dept. involved and then the other so if you are talking the initial one, that's different than the ones in most of these recorded interviews.

We may never agree on her, and I don't know where I will end up, but that's okay. I think neither of us take offense at such so that's a bonus, and enjoy the discussion.

 

[Regina]

I'm not so sure of that. I can see her in two ways. I am trying to determine which is correct or if it a blend.. And imo she has admitted to not being honest and so that's there.

I finally did come across her written statment- not sure I can do that again though because the only place I've found it since then wants money for access.
Anyway, I actually didn't read the whole thing, which may seem odd but the only thing I was interested in was what she wrote about seeing Madeline.
From what I remember- and it may not be word for word- she began by writing On (whatever day and/or date) I saw Madeline getting ready for school at 8am (or dressed for school). I don't know when they departed.
Well, I think it was rather immediate- the next morn or sooner- that she clarified with LE that she hadn't actually seen Madeline that morning.
Anyway, the reason she didn't know when they departed is because Sterns never told her! What he did was allow her to believe that it would have been sometime after 8, which is what he wanted everybody to believe.

 

[GrandmaBear]

I finally did come across her written statment- not sure I can do that again though because the only place I've found it since then wants money for access.
Anyway, I actually didn't read the whole thing, which may seem odd but the only thing I was interested in was what she wrote about seeing Madeline.
From what I remember- and it may not be word for word- she began by writing On (whatever day and/or date) I saw Madeline getting ready for school at 8am (or dressed for school). I don't know when they departed.
Well, I think it was rather immediate- the next morn or sooner- that she clarified with LE that she hadn't actually seen Madeline that morning.
Anyway, the reason she didn't know when they departed is because Sterns never told her! What he did was allow her to believe that it would have been sometime after 8, which is what he wanted everybody to believe.

He definitely played a story no doubt that did not pan out. As I said, I just think she was unwise more than once to name times and seeing her when she did not. Unless he told her to say she saw her getting dressed she saw her at no time that day doing any such thing and she has admitted in in recorded interviews with the lame excuse of she wanted to believe such. That just does not fly for me, it was a flat out lie.

She may have admitted fast, no idea, but they were pretty fast on all the inconsistencies with both of them.

LIke I said, I really don't know where I will end up on her, it's still fluid for me, but I'm not as easy or open to total ignorance any longer at least with the SA.

And I can't help but agree with the majority that she is all about self before Maddie and is about self preservation more than caring about what happened to her with either thing, and for some time was also about protecting him as well.

There are just too many things and that includes sending them to bed together that night, and other times, and I doubt we have the entire truth about that either. There was a LOT redacted in that one interview.

By the way I am going to start dialing back on reactions to posts (like, frown, hug, wow, love, etc.) for obvious reasons. I don't want you to think if I do that all of a sudden I don't like your posts. Some use the feature in a juvenile way, picking and choosing, and some never use it at all and some use it almost always. I was one of those, always giving feedback or liking, etc. and never really thought about it, just being nice and you name it, but with what I am seeing with some, nah, just going to quit any.

So you found her written statement? Is it handwritten by her or one of those and officer does up with her words and then has her review and sign?

 

[Regina]

Unless he told her to say she saw her getting dressed she saw her at no time that day doing any such thing and she has admitted in in recorded interviews with the lame excuse of she wanted to believe such. That just does not fly for me, it was a flat out lie.

She may have admitted fast, no idea, but they were pretty fast on all the inconsistencies with both of them.

Well it was right there at the beginning of the investigation and was of no benefit to Sterns.

So you found her written statement? Is it handwritten by her or one of those and officer does up with her words and then has her review and sign?

Yeah, it was handwritten by her and right off the bat, that's what she wrote.
I'd like to read what Sterns wrote about when he left but since he's facing trial, I wouldn't expect it'd be released.

LIke I said, I really don't know where I will end up on her, it's still fluid for me, but I'm not as easy or open to total ignorance any longer at least with the SA.

There are just too many things and that includes sending them to bed together that night, and other times, and I doubt we have the entire truth about that either. There was a LOT redacted in that one interview.

Did you see their texts that night?
Those prove to me that Jennifer trusted Sterns.

By the way I am going to start dialing back on reactions to posts (like, frown, hug, wow, love, etc.) for obvious reasons.

Please do and so will I.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Well it was right there at the beginning of the investigation and was of no benefit to Sterns.

Yeah, it was handwritten by her and right off the bat, that's what she wrote.
I'd like to read what Sterns wrote about when he left but since he's facing trial, I wouldn't expect it'd be released.

Did you see their texts that night?
Those prove to me that Jennifer trusted Sterns.

Please do and so will I.

Okay, so no one put words in her mouth, and then she signed, she wrote it.

I wouldn't count on SS's not being released IF he did a written one because they have released the interviews with him, etc.

About Maddie making her nest, etc.? Yes, I did. I also saw her questioned about what that meant... And know of other texts like the one where she couldn't risk her sleeping with her any more. Just saying I have a lot of questions and don't know where I am going to land with her but I am no longer on square one of benefit of the doubt with her any longer. Jmo.

It's a deal.

 

[Regina]

Okay, so no one put words in her mouth, and then she signed, she wrote it.

It's the only time I'm aware where she stated something that wasn't true.

I wouldn't count on SS's not being released IF he did a written one because they have released the interviews with him, etc.

Good point!

About Maddie making her nest, etc.? Yes, I did. I also saw her questioned about what that meant...

What ever Sterns meant, Jennifer's reply shows me that she believed that Madeline would soon be asleep.

 

[GrandmaBear]

It's the only time I'm aware where she stated something that wasn't true.


Good point!

What ever Sterns meant, Jennifer's reply shows me that she believed that Madeline would soon be asleep.

Well other than statting times she did not know to be true like how long he had been gone from the hotel, etc. I just don't think at minimum that is very wise when you have a full blown investigatiog going on regarding your missing daughter and by then thinking they were looking at him (mistakenly so supposedly).

She answered a question or two about knowing what the nesting meant. I think personally she sent her daughter to bed with him more times than she claims. There is just a lot that doesn't match up in her interviews. I know you don't agree but we are both used to that lol with each of us not agreeing.

We do agree on him so that's one positive

Will just have to see how it plays out I guess. One thing is for sure, he is the big fish and the main focus and that has to be first and foremost. And I agree with that.

Personally I also think she lied in the interview when the reason she gave was wishful thinking that she had seen her daughter getting dressed. Huh? And let's remember she also interrupted him to say what clothes she was wearing as if she had seen her, so it went a bit further than just the written remark...

Well a big part, my part, is hopefully more or less done in this life pain in the arse thing going on. And I lost the whole day off and every one I basically have had and minute for some time now, no laundry done nor anything else but I am taking the night off because been over the top stressed. Hopefully tomorrow brings no surprises and the others can handle their own sh*t right. Well mainly one that is imo the problem. JUST do your JOB.

Thek Soto dump seems to have stopped for the moment but I still not long ago was running into a few things I had not seen, and not sure I did see all but sure saw most. I really have not watched much or looked at much all of the photos. I mean of the home and such, etc. not HIS photos.

I lack the words to say I just can't get over what happened to this girl and was done to this girl for years and how her life ended abruptly, and I feel there has got to be a reason for it. Whether Jenn had knowledge or not, I would say that. It is just so awful. I think I have said it has sucked me in big time. Many do but this one really has.

Trying to get off my other stuff and mindset, hope something is on YT because I need it. Something light first like the Canadian mom, and not crime. Then I may go watch Linda on Daybell. If I can take serious right now.

 

[Regina]

Well other than statting times she did not know to be true like how long he had been gone from the hotel, etc. I just don't think at minimum that is very wise when you have a full blown investigatiog going on regarding your missing daughter and by then thinking they were looking at him (mistakenly so supposedly).

No, that was Chris Sterns who stated that. And when Jennifer spoke to detectives, she said he was gone when she woke up.
I think it's most likely that Jennifer thought she'd been up that long before she called his father.

She answered a question or two about knowing what the nesting meant.

I just think of it as another example of Sterns' weird way of talking.

Personally I also think she lied in the interview when the reason she gave was wishful thinking that she had seen her daughter getting dressed. Huh? And let's remember she also interrupted him to say what clothes she was wearing as if she had seen her, so it went a bit further than just the written remark...

Well, I only read that first sentence or two of her written statement but I find it truthful as to what she believed. In other words, it doesn't matter to me that it wasn't true because I understand that it's what she wanted to believe was true.
She believed that Sterns had indeed dropped off Madeline near the church and in a much later interview, shows that she still believed that when she asked detectives about that video. Even then, she still believed it was Madeline in the church video.

As for black shorts, Sterns knew it was jeans, yet allowed Jennifer to report that it was shorts!
Now, as to why Jennifer believed that, I used to think it was because of what the church video showed but since Jennifer's said that Madeline was to have chose her clotheing in advance, I think black shorts may have been what Madeline told her.