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

 

[GrandmaBear]

@Regina Haven't seen you on any thread in awhile. Hope all is okay? Are you around?

 

[Regina]

@Regina Haven't seen you on any thread in awhile. Hope all is okay? Are you around?

Yeah, I just don't have anything to say, I guess, lol. But all's okay, thanks, and I hope all's okay with you, too.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Yeah, I just don't have anything to say, I guess, lol. But all's okay, thanks, and I hope all's okay with you, too.

Cases/threads have been pretty quiet for some time imo, little news on most I guess, other than a few new ones here and there, so I get it.

Glad all is okay, just realized lately it had been awhile, so finally asked to be sure. All okay here. Well relatively so anyhow, when compared to recent worse weeks anyhow.

 

[Regina]

Cases/threads have been pretty quiet for some time imo, little news on most I guess, other than a few new ones here and there, so I get it.

Glad all is okay, just realized lately it had been awhile, so finally asked to be sure. All okay here. Well relatively so anyhow, when compared to recent worse weeks anyhow.

Relatively, lol, you know, seriously, that's a good word.

I haven't really followed this case lately, I mean, I know that the defense wants the phone evidence thrown out but since Sterns gave consent, I don't think there's grounds for that to happen.
I don't know anything about any of their other motions...
I know, they got the delay they'd asked for...

 

[GrandmaBear]

Relatively, lol, you know, seriously, that's a good word.

I haven't really followed this case lately, I mean, I know that the defense wants the phone evidence thrown out but since Sterns gave consent, I don't think there's grounds for that to happen.
I don't know anything about any of their other motions...
I know, they got the delay they'd asked for...

There's really not been a ton on it. A few more things, nothing earth shattering, released, and yes, some court filings, maneuverings, nothing I'm too worried about. In fact, I haven't paid major attention to any of it either. I took don't think the phone evidence will be thrown out.

 

[Regina]

There's really not been a ton on it. A few more things, nothing earth shattering, released, and yes, some court filings, maneuverings, nothing I'm too worried about. In fact, I haven't paid major attention to any of it either. I took don't think the phone evidence will be thrown out.

Yeah, the way I understand it, it was his right to refuse and it doesn't matter whether he knew that. Is that how you understand it?

 

[GrandmaBear]

Yeah, the way I understand it, it was his right to refuse and it doesn't matter whether he knew that. Is that how you understand it?

Pretty much. He willingly gave it up. All D attorneys seem to try this too so no surprise. Of course they want that evidence out. Usually doesn't work. Unless of course LE truly did wrong, he had said no, etc. However, he didn't.

 

[Regina]

Pretty much. He willingly gave it up. All D attorneys seem to try this too so no surprise. Of course they want that evidence out. Usually doesn't work. Unless of course LE truly did wrong, he had said no, etc. However, he didn't.

Right, and you know, besides that evidence, it appears he later destroyed other incriminating evidence when he went to Northport in the wee hours. (Remember the missing harddrive from the computer that was at his parent's home?)
You know, LE had looked into whether he went to the storage unit and it didn't appear he had but there is video of him within a mile of his parent's home and his mother said the dogs alerted shortly after 3am (which doesn't fit timewise) but said she didn't see what they'd alerted about.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Right, and you know, besides that evidence, it appears he later destroyed other incriminating evidence when he went to Northport in the wee hours. (Remember the missing harddrive from the computer that was at his parent's home?)
You know, LE had looked into whether he went to the storage unit and it didn't appear he had but there is video of him within a mile of his parent's home and his mother said the dogs alerted shortly after 3am (which doesn't fit timewise) but said she didn't see what they'd alerted about.

Yeah. We do agree on him for the most part.

IF I recall the time frame is based on what J said so I don't put a lot of store in it. Initially she talked as if he wasn't gone for any length of time and had to be told he went to Northport. I'm sorry but I"m not sure I buy that.

I DO think it was likely him that set the dogs off.

I think they've plenty of evidence against him and I do not think they are going to get the phone evidence dismissed.

I do recall the missing hard drive.

He also did not realize wiping some things left them still out there on the cloud or in Google or whatever it was too if I recall. Been a bit since I've really been following this one as it's been pretty quiet overall. Should refresh myself. I do recall most though.

 

[Regina]

Yeah. We do agree on him for the most part.

IF I recall the time frame is based on what J said so I don't put a lot of store in it. Initially she talked as if he wasn't gone for any length of time and had to be told he went to Northport. I'm sorry but I"m not sure I buy that.

I DO think it was likely him that set the dogs off.

I think they've plenty of evidence against him and I do not think they are going to get the phone evidence dismissed.

I do recall the missing hard drive.

He also did not realize wiping some things left them still out there on the cloud or in Google or whatever it was too if I recall. Been a bit since I've really been following this one as it's been pretty quiet overall. Should refresh myself. I do recall most though.

Actually, Sterns' mother told LE that the dogs alerted at 3:18am but in a subsequent meeting in July, Sterns' father said it was 5-something which does fit timewise.

 

[Regina]

Sterns' father questioned where his money came from and I'm wondering whether that was ever ascertained.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Actually, Sterns' mother told LE that the dogs alerted at 3:18am but in a subsequent meeting in July, Sterns' father said it was 5-something which does fit timewise.

If I remember right dad was going by his end of things and what he saw and was told. Whatever the case, we know he did a trip there on that very night right and so it was probably him, if indeed his mom is telling the truth. She like is in this case. If she was trying to hide something, I'd think she'd not report this.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Sterns' father questioned where his money came from and I'm wondering whether that was ever ascertained.

I don't think so, at least I've never heard such. I would think LE may know but we haven't been told. There have been a few other things released and I haven't watched all but I don't think any of them pertain to things like that. Interviews and such from FOIA requests, that kind of thing.

 

[Regina]

If I remember right dad was going by his end of things and what he saw and was told. Whatever the case, we know he did a trip there on that very night right and so it was probably him, if indeed his mom is telling the truth. She like is in this case. If she was trying to hide something, I'd think she'd not report this.

Now that I've thought about it, it seems to me that when the father spoke with LE later that day, he said his wife said it'd been 2-something...
I'll try to find the video and have another listen.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Now that I've thought about it, it seems to me that when the father spoke with LE later that day, he said his wife said it'd been 2-something...
I'll try to find the video and have another listen.

Lol I think we both need a refresher maybe. I know this much, I figure that it was him whatever the time was if the dogs truly reacted and someone was there. I think they've got plenty of evidence on him. I wish trial would commence, at least the first one.

 

[Regina]

Lol I think we both need a refresher maybe. I know this much, I figure that it was him whatever the time was if the dogs truly reacted and someone was there. I think they've got plenty of evidence on him. I wish trial would commence, at least the first one.

Oh, there's plenty of evidence!, I was just thinking that even the circumstance that the harddrive is missing is incriminating.
But the reason I was thinking about that circumstance is because, like you, I was under the impression that there would be two trials but I've since read they'll be just one.
I also hadn't realized that this most recent delay is at least the second, that a trial had already been rescheduled to have started in Oct '24.

I eventually found that video- twern't easy, lol. Anyway, I wasn't recalling that correctly; the mother had not said 2-something, she said 3:19am.
The thing is, it wouldn't have been Sterns that the dogs were alerting to at that time.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Oh, there's plenty of evidence!, I was just thinking that even the circumstance that the harddrive is missing is incriminating.
But the reason I was thinking about that circumstance is because, like you, I was under the impression that there would be two trials but I've since read they'll be just one.
I also hadn't realized that this most recent delay is at least the second, that a trial had already been rescheduled to have started in Oct '24.

I eventually found that video- twern't easy, lol. Anyway, I wasn't recalling that correctly; the mother had not said 2-something, she said 3:19am.
The thing is, it wouldn't have been Sterns that the dogs were alerting to at that time.

Missing things definitely are incriminating, I agree! In Delphi, the found the phone for every year they'd ever had phones, the family's phones, EXCEPT for the very one they wanted. I always try to look for also in cases what "isn't said". Or what is missing from info, etc...

There is now ONE trial?? And such has been postponed? Not sure I knew that. They are joining the charges for all his child pedo stuff and SA with the murder trial?

So refresh me, why couldn't it have been him at 3:19? I seem to remember there being a time issue but can't recall.

However, if it is due to something Jenn said, or even the dad who was there with them (well sort of), I'm not going to consider that fact or evidence.

Or was it due to something else, like a street cam, GPS, etc.?

 

[Regina]

Missing things definitely are incriminating, I agree! In Delphi, the found the phone for every year they'd ever had phones, the family's phones, EXCEPT for the very one they wanted. I always try to look for also in cases what "isn't said". Or what is missing from info, etc...

There is now ONE trial?? And such has been postponed? Not sure I knew that. They are joining the charges for all his child pedo stuff and SA with the murder trial?

So refresh me, why couldn't it have been him at 3:19? I seem to remember there being a time issue but can't recall.

However, if it is due to something Jenn said, or even the dad who was there with them (well sort of), I'm not going to consider that fact or evidence.

Or was it due to something else, like a street cam, GPS, etc.?

Well, I actually don't know if there'll be one trial or two, lol. Seriously, sorry for even mentioning it. I'd read it in an article- not sure how current it was- that there'd be just one trial but at this point, I really don't know, lol. I never understood why there'd be two trials but regardless, I'm sure neither of us could care less as to whether one or two, right,? lol

Re 3:19, the father said he last saw Sterns there at about 2:30am (I see no reason to think he wasn't truthful and / or accurate) and from there to Northport is about 2 and 1/2 hrs and I think that even at that time of night, Sterns still couldn't have been in Northport at 3:19, do you?
Now, LE knows precisely when he left the hotel- the detective said he's on video walking out the door- and they know when he was in Northport and for how long but as for what they've subsequently been able to determine re his movements and purpose, I don't know. Like you, I haven't kept up with all that's been released up to date and so I don't know whether they ever determined anything more than they already knew.
I remember you having questioned why the father was called to Kissimmee and I don't remember what we surmised was the actual reason but do you think it could have been to get the father out of the house? (I know that may have been suggested back then and I'm just not remembering it, lol. )

 

[GrandmaBear]

Well, I actually don't know if there'll be one trial or two, lol. Seriously, sorry for even mentioning it. I'd read it in an article- not sure how current it was- that there'd be just one trial but at this point, I really don't know, lol. I never understood why there'd be two trials but regardless, I'm sure neither of us could care less as to whether one or two, right,? lol

Re 3:19, the father said he last saw Sterns there at about 2:30am (I see no reason to think he wasn't truthful and / or accurate) and from there to Northport is about 2 and 1/2 hrs and I think that even at that time of night, Sterns still couldn't have been in Northport at 3:19, do you?
Now, LE knows precisely when he left the hotel- the detective said he's on video walking out the door- and they know when he was in Northport and for how long but as for what they've subsequently been able to determine re his movements and purpose, I don't know. Like you, I haven't kept up with all that's been released up to date and so I don't know whether they ever determined anything more than they already knew.
I remember you having questioned why the father was called to Kissimmee and I don't remember what we surmised was the actual reason but do you think it could have been to get the father out of the house? (I know that may have been suggested back then and I'm just not remembering it, lol. )

I'm going to respond to your first paragraph first. Then go back and read the other.

I don't know anything about one trial or two. I will say at first he was charged with all the pedo thing to get him into custody while they then gathered what they needed to charge him with murder. A good move imo, get him OFF the streets. What is going on with it now as to one or two, I agree, I don't have a problem with it at this point either way. I haven't looked for anything on this case. By the way just last night or late yesterday afternoon, I ran into The Docket doing a live with new photos of Jenn's home. I did not watch. I applaud him he pays to get things with FOIA requests but the shows usually are hours long, etc. and I just can't do that all of the time. I also figured what new photos and what would they show? However, maybe they do show things we haven't previously seen. Just letting you know that some things are being released and there's been other stuff but I haven't watched most of it.

So both of us probably are not recently up on this including whether one trial or two. I won't quote you as I never saw a thing about them being joined and now you are not sure lol.

Don't quote me either but I had thought his child pedo trial was set for Feb or fairly soon after arrest, within months. Well Feb has passed so again I'm not sure on that date, but I know it wasn't that far off in the future, so either there has been a delay or they are now joined. I'm sure his attys probably would have asked for more time, most always do.

Here-- I did a quick search. Trial now set for May. It sounds like that's the murder trial, they don't mention both, so unsure if that means they might be joined??

Trial date set for Stephan Sterns, man accused of killing 13-year-old Madeline Soto

The man accused of murdering 13-year-old Madeline Soto is due back in court.

www.clickorlando.com

 

[Regina]

I'm going to respond to your first paragraph first. Then go back and read the other.

I don't know anything about one trial or two. I will say at first he was charged with all the pedo thing to get him into custody while they then gathered what they needed to charge him with murder. A good move imo, get him OFF the streets. What is going on with it now as to one or two, I agree, I don't have a problem with it at this point either way. I haven't looked for anything on this case. By the way just last night or late yesterday afternoon, I ran into The Docket doing a live with new photos of Jenn's home. I did not watch. I applaud him he pays to get things with FOIA requests but the shows usually are hours long, etc. and I just can't do that all of the time. I also figured what new photos and what would they show? However, maybe they do show things we haven't previously seen. Just letting you know that some things are being released and there's been other stuff but I haven't watched most of it.

So both of us probably are not recently up on this including whether one trial or two. I won't quote you as I never saw a thing about them being joined and now you are not sure lol.

Don't quote me either but I had thought his child pedo trial was set for Feb or fairly soon after arrest, within months. Well Feb has passed so again I'm not sure on that date, but I know it wasn't that far off in the future, so either there has been a delay or they are now joined. I'm sure his attys probably would have asked for more time, most always do.

Here-- I did a quick search. Trial now set for May. It sounds like that's the murder trial, they don't mention both, so unsure if that means they might be joined??

Trial date set for Stephan Sterns, man accused of killing 13-year-old Madeline Soto

The man accused of murdering 13-year-old Madeline Soto is due back in court.

www.clickorlando.com

Yeah, see what I mean? That isn't the same article I'd read but the info comes across as though there's only one trial.
Anyway, I think consider myself to have a reasonable amount of patience but in cases where it's delay after delay after delay it's run out!
Seriously, what I see more and more often is that pretrial this and that mostly amounts to nothing but bs from a defense with a guilty client.