13-year-old Madeline Soto lived in Kissimmee, Florida. On February 26, 2024, Madeline was first reported missing when her mother, Jennifer Soto, went to pick her up from school and she was not there. Jennifer Soto informed authorities at the time that her mom's long-term/live-in boyfriend, Stephan Sterns, put Madeline off in a church parking lot across the street from her school. According to Stephan Sterns, he saw Madeline leave the church parking lot and head toward the school, but he didn't follow her all the way to ensure she arrived. In order to find Madeline, numerous law enforcement agencies launched a huge 4-day search. Investigators focused on Stephan Sterns in the early aftermath of her disappearance. On his phone, law officers discovered a number of unsettling images and videos of Madeline. Following his arrest, he was charged with 60 offenses, including unauthorized possession of documents showing a child engaging in sexual activity, lewd or lascivious molestation, and criminal sexual battery. Sadly, Madeline was discovered dead on March 1, 2024, close to a wooded location on Hickory Tree Road in Osceola County. Stephan Sterns' vehicle was reportedly spotted in this similar vicinity the day Madeline vanished. Law enforcement has said in a number of news releases and press conferences that they think Madeline was already dead the morning she vanished and that Stephan Sterns was actually transporting her body when he was meant to take her to school. Security footage also showed Stephan Sterns disposing of Madeline's backpack and school laptop in a dumpster in an apartment complex at 7:35 a.m., according to police. Police also have video footage showing Stephan Sterns driving back to the garbage while what seems to be Madeline is clearly dead inside the vehicle. A grand jury in April 2024 indicted Stephan Sterns for first-degree murder. Prosecutors declared on June 10, 2024, that they will pursue the death sentence against Stephan Sterns for the murder of Madeline.