Madeline Soto’s Mom Claims She Was 'Oblivious' to Boyfriend’s Alleged Sex Abuse, Even Though They All Shared Bed
Madeline Soto, 13, disappeared in February, and her mother's boyfriend, Stephan Sterns, is now accused by police of murdering her
Orange County Sheriff's Office/X
Madeline Soto, 13, was found dead days after she disappeared in February
Her mother's boyfriend is facing a murder charge in connection with her death
Police interviews show Madeline's mother Jennifer Soto breaking down as she learns details about the case
Authorities in Florida have released details about their investigation into the disappearance and killing of 13-year-old Madeline Soto, shedding light on the alleged sexual abuse police say the teenager experienced at the hands of her mother’s boyfriend.
Madeline disappeared from her Kissimmee, Fla., home on Feb. 26, and her body was found in a wooded area on March 1, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said at the time. Prior to recovering her body, police arrested her mother's boyfriend, 37-year-old Stephan Sterns, on unrelated charges of possessing child sexual abuse material.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office has now released a video of their interview with Madeline's mother, Jennifer Soto, which took place on March 1, hours before the teenager's body was found, per Click 2 Orlando, which shared the video.
During the nearly three-hour interview clip, an investigator references Jennifer's claim that she, her boyfriend and Madeline all slept in the same bed together — and expresses suspicions that Jennifer knew about her boyfriend's alleged sex abuse.
Orange County jail
Stephan Sterns (left); and Jennifer Soto being interviewed by detectives.“It seems like some of your emotions ... [are] not sincere.” the investigator says to Jennifer.
“I feel like some of your sadness is not real sadness," he adds.
Jennifer, who broke down in tears at times during the interview, pushes back.
“If I knew anything, I promise you I would tell you,” she says, offering to take a lie detector test.
“I've never seen any signs, I tried watching her like a hawk, I thought I was doing a good job but I wasn't,” she says, breaking down. “I was oblivious to everything for four years.”
In August, the sheriff's office released a case supplemental report. The report claimed that upon learning that police found photos and videos showing Sterns allegedly sexually abusing a child, Jennifer said, "He's been grooming and abusing my child," FOX 35, WFTV and Click 2 Orlando reported in August.
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Madeline died from strangulation, FOX 35 Orlando, WESH and Click Orlando reported in August, citing a medical examiner's report.
Osceola County, Fla., court records reviewed by PEOPLE show Sterns was charged with first-degree murder in April in connection with Madeline's death. Jennifer has not been charged in connection with the case.
Information about Sterns' plea to the murder charge was not immediately clear. He has pleaded not guilty to 60 counts of sexual abuse charges, per the Osceola News-Gazette. PEOPLE was not immediately able to reach his attorney.
If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
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