Stephan Sterns is the last known person to see 13-year-old Madeline Soto who was last seen alive on February 26, 2024. Her body was found on March 1 in a wooded area. Stephan Sterns, Soto's stepfather, was initially charged with sexual battery of a minor after investigators said they found evidence of him sexually abusing the child. Sterns consented to have his phone searched but told officers that he 'accidentally' performed a factory reset on the device. However, investigators found a trove of images and videos dating back years showing Soto being sexually abused. As a result of the disturbing images and videos found on the phone, Sterns was charged with an additional 60 charges, including sexual battery on a child under 12, lewd and lascivious molestation and unlawful possession of materials depicting sexual performance by a child. Sterns has also been charged with 1st-degree murder in the death of Madeline Soto.