Did Madeline Soto's Mom Tell Police in Interview that Boyfriend's Alleged Sex Abuse of Teen Was 'Fine?'

Mar. 15, 2025

Orange County Sheriff’s Office

Madeline disappeared on Feb. 26, in Kissimmee, Fla., leading to the arrest of her mother’s boyfriend,Stephan Sterns, 37,on unrelated charges of possessing child sex abuse material, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said at the time. Sterns is now charged with murder in connection with the girl’s death.

In the video of the interview, which was conducted a few hours beforeMadeline’s body was found, Jennifer says she initially did not think Sterns was responsible for Madeline’s being missing.

“When you guys showed me the picture of her, I believed the sexual stuff but I did not want to believe he had done anything evil to her,” she says.

Then she adds, “I’m like: no, what if he did this stuff — fine, but what if she’s still out there.”

“What if she got abducted?” she continues, “But that was me assuming that you guys had the wrong guy. I wanted to believe he was the good guy still.”

The officer questioning Jennifer then double-checks if Jennifer said the alleged abuse was “fine.“At that point, Jennifer says, “It’s not fine,” and then the officer continues speaking.

Orange County Jail; Orange County Sheriff’s Office

Jennifer also says in the same interview that she was"oblivious” to Sterns' alleged abuseagainst her teen daughter, who was allegedly made to share the bed with the couple in their home. Jennifer says she often woke up to Sterns allegedly"snuggling” the teenager while in his boxers, per the interview.

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According to the medical examiner,Madeline died from strangulation,FOX 35 Orlando,WESHandClick Orlandopreviously reported. Sterns wascharged with murderin connection with Madeline’s death in April, per Osceola County court records.

Video shows interview between Orange County deputies and Jennifer Soto

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.

source: people.com