app. Well, right now a mother in orange County is begging for help locating her missing daughter, Maddie Soto was last seen on Monday, one day after she and her family celebrated her 13th birthday. Soto's mother , Jenn, says surveillance video shows Maddie hanging out in a church parking lot after being dropped off for school, but she never made it inside. She says deputies are using canines and a piece of Maddie's clothing to try and track her scent near Town Loop Boulevardjust a couplf minutes. Until then, ladies, back to you. Thank you Jessica. Happening right now. Take a look at this. Search crews out looking for a missing 13 year old girl Sky Fox over the scene just a short time ago. These folks are out searching in the area of Osprey Park. This is right near Hunters Creek. Authorities say 13 year old Maddie Soto was last seen Monday. Just one day after her birthday. She was dropped off for school that morning. On Monday, she did not make it inside the school. Maddie may be wearing a green jacket, black shorts and white Crocs. Fox, 35, was able to speak with her mom, who says that she just wants Maddie to come home safe. I'm trying to hope for the best, but I'm just I'm scared for her. I want her to be okay and I want her to be safe. I don't want I don't want her to come back harmed. So mom tells us that Maddie has never run away before . She says she does sometimes forget her cell phone at home, and she did forget her cell phone on her way to school on Monday morning, the sheriff's office is searching for Maddie with canines that's right near Town Loop Boulevard, where we were showing you that video again. This is in the Hunter's Creek area. Osprey Park. If you think you have seen Maddie, please call the Orange County Sheriff's Office right away. They did say that she was seen onox 35 news at ten, the search for Maddie continues. Maddie, if you see this, please come home. It's now been four days since 13 year old Madeline Soto was last seen in Orlando. Her mother's boyfriend, now sitting in a jail cell, is the prime suspect in her disappearance. Based upon his refusal to come to court. He's got an accounting warrant out of Osceola County. His bonds will remain at none. And Fox 35 got Stephanie Stearns on camera before he was arrested. Tonight, Maddie's family is hoping for good news as they wait for a break in the case. We will not stop until we find her Developing story tonight a lot has happened over the past few days since Maddie disappeared. So here's what we know right now. Maddie celebrated her 13th birthday on Sunday. Good evening . Thanks for joining us. I'm John Brown and I'm Marlisa Goldsmith. Monday morning, Maddie's mom's boyfriend, Stefan Stearns, reportedly took Maddie to school. She was last seen crossing the street around 830 that morning. Orange County deputies released this missing person's poster on Tuesday and then Wednesday morning, deputies searched the woods near Hunter's Creek and then held a press conference. And then just before 10:00 last night, deputies arrested Stearns. His charges include sexual battery. Fox 35 Hannah McKenzie joins us live tonight. And Hannah, you have been following this story for a while now. Stearns has been named a prime suspect in the case. Yeah. Marlisa I sure have. And I actually spoke with one of Maddie Soto's aunts today. She tells me this has been a very difficult day for them. And this news, this new development has really been devastating to the family. But they're still holding out hope for Maddie's safe return. Maddie Soto missing since Monday. The 13 Year-Old allegedly dropped off for school near Town Loop Boulevard around 830. Didn't make it inside. Stefan Stearns, now named Prime suspect in her disappearance. Stearns is the longtime boyfriend of Soto's mother, Jen. You can see him here in the background of our interview with Jen Soto Tuesday. I went to pick her up after school. Um, and she wasn't there sitting behind her, Stearns is fidgeting and cracking his knuckles. That's a way to release tension. The point is, tension is actually one of the 27 what we call points of interest, points of interest that can lead to possible deception or suspect behavior. Human behavior investigator Susan Constantine isn't connected to this case. We asked her to weigh in on Stearns mannerisms. In my personal opinion, I would have said, Sheriff's office. You need to take a really good look at this guy. He is presenting to me suspect behavior right now. Stearns is behind bars, charged with sexual battery and possession of material depicting sexual performance by a child. Stearns voluntarily handing over his phone, stated he accidentally factory reset the device the day Soto went missing on it. Investigators recovering disturbing photos and videos. An arrest warrant from Kissimmee police revealing details to graphic to air. What about Mr. Stearns, the 37 year old being held without bond, refusing to show up in court Thursday, retired detective David Nutting has dealt with hundreds of suspects over the years. How frustrating is it when you have a prime suspect who is refusing to play ball or give up information, or just answer questions, especially frustrating in cases involving children, you know, because it just seems so, so right to in human nature to just tell where tell everything, you know, I mean, it's this is this is a truly innocent victim. Um, uh, this is somebody Maddie, a young girl who did not live a high risk lifestyle. And she's apparently with this, this monster. And you just you just frustrating is. Why can't you just tell us what happened and let's resolve this case and bring Maddie back home? Stearns is from North Port, Florida. That's about two hours from here. He still has ties to the area on Thursday, the North Port Police Department confirming they too have assisted in this investigation. If you know where Maddie Soto is or you have any information that may help investigators with this case, you're asked to reach out to the Orange County Sheriff's Office, call 911 or call Crime . We continue to follow breaking news in Osceola County. The body of 13 year old Maddie Soto has been found. The Orange County Sheriff's Office just confirmed that news. Skyfox is flying over a wooded area along Old Hickory Tree Road. We're told Maddie Soto's body was found near there in a remote area. Fox 35 Stephanie Buff Monte joins us live. And Stephanie, what can you tell us about this heartbreaking development? Yeah Truly heartbreaking. We are learning that Madeleine Soto's body was found right near where I am standing on Hickory Tree Road, and they found her body around 430 this afternoon, according to the sheriff's office. And a very wooded area. And a source tells Fox 35 that it takes a couple of miles to get to where her body was found by foot. I want to just show you what it looks like over here right now. You can see we're blocked off at this intersection. A sheriff's office deputy blocking off the area where they say that they found Madeleine's Soto's body. And now this is Sky Fox. Video of teams out here searching this area and this, of course, comes after the orange County Sheriff, John Mina , said that he was confident that Maddie was dead and that they were working to find her body. That was the latest we had heard from earlier this afternoon, and now we are getting this heartbreaking update that her body was found. I want to show you a picture of this car. This is Stefan Stern's car who was Maddie's mom's boyfriend. He was a suspect in her homicide case. He was last seen driving a silver Lincoln. And in this area of Old Hickory Tree Road. And Nulty Road. And now, of course, we are learning that her body was found in a wooded area. We are, of course, are going to try to find out any more information about this case, and. Right now on Fox 35 news at ten more. Maddie The body of 13 year old Madeline Soto found in the woods in Osceola County. Tonight, the community coming out by the hundreds to honor the young girl's memory. We came out here, know because we just wanted to pay our respects to this girl that died in such a horrible fashion as family and friends mourn the investigation into who killed her and why continues. I'm Stephanie Buff Monte. We are a mile and a half from where 13 year old Madeline Soto's body was found. I'll have a live report on the search and the homicide investigation. The body of Maddie Soto was found tonight near Saint Cloud. The search for her began on Monday and is now shifted to a homicide investigation. As the community is mourning Maddie tonight. Good evening and welcome. I'm John Brown and I'm Hannah McKenzie. The prime suspect in her disappearance, Stefan Stearns, is still sitting in a jail cell tonight. But so far, he has not been charged in her death. We have team coverage tonight. Fox 35 Stephanie Buff Monte is live near the spot where Maddie's body was found. But we begin with Fox 30 Five's Randy Hildreth live outside Maddie's middle school in Orange County, and Randy, a vigil for Maddie just wrapped up not too long ago. There Yeah, initially, organizers anticipated maybe 20 to 40 people would show up when they put the post out. A considering the news that her body had been found came out about 45 minutes before this vigil was set to start. We saw hundreds show up to honor her life. Now step to the side. Where? Right in front of the middle school and within the last few minutes, we saw those who couldn't attend earlier to come tonight to pay their respects. That's why I am yours In situations like these, it's hard to find the words to express, and it's hard to provide peace to a heart that's broken tonight. Hearts are shattered. The feeling is for sure. It's overwhelming sadness and disbelief. Any loss of any child is tragic. This is just a heartbreaking situation to see this family go through a double hundreds of community members gathered in front of Hunter's Creek Middle School in honor of 13 Year-Old Maddie Soto. Initially a vigil to pray she'd be found safe now. Now a moment to honor her life. Atmospheres heavy with grief, with helplessness. Because I know you can identify with me when you say that you wish you could have done something as a community trying to make sense of the tragedy we will get through this one step at a time together. Unity. Balloons, candles, teddy bears, tears home songs and prayers for Maddie and those who knew and loved her. We as one community, we as one community will comfort each other. We'll comfort each other, and we'll get through this hard time. We'll get through this hard time . Now, we didn't see Maddie and we didn't see Maddie's family here. Organizers of tonight's vigil says that this was organized not in connection with her family or in connection to the school district, but just as an opportunity for people to come together and heal in terms of next steps, Orange County public Schools says that it will have grief counselors in place here at Maddie's, Maddie's middle school for students and staff who need some help processing this live. Tonight, Randy Hildreth, Fox 35 news. Thanks, Randy and that vigil happened shortly after the Orange County Sheriff's Office confirmed that Maddie's body had been found. Fox 35 Stephanie Buff Monte is live near Saint Cloud tonight, not far from where she was found. So Stephanie, certainly not the result anybody wanted to hear tonight? No it was not 13 year old Madeleine Soto's body was found just about a mile and a half from where I am standing, right now, off Hickory Tree Road. A heartbreaking update for so many who were hoping she would be found alive. Sky Fox over the area near Hickory Tree Road, where law enforcement say the body of 13 year old Madeleine Soto was found days after she was reported missing. Deputies say a tip led them to recovering the teen's body in a rural area of Saint Cloud. They say she was found in shrubs off the road. We sent our units out here and we did discover what appears to be a body. Um, the body has clothing very similar to what the victim was last seen wearing. Deputies believe that Madeleine was never dropped off at school Monday morning and was dead before then. Maddie's mom's boyfriend, Stefan Stearns, is the main suspect in this homicide. We have video evidence that shows Stefan Stearns discarding items in a dumpster in that apartment complex in Kissimmee at 735 on Monday, February 26th. Detectives later recovered Madeleine's backpack and her school issued laptop from that dumpster at 819. We have evidence that shows Stefan Stearns returning to the complex and Madeleine was visible in that vehicle. We believe that she was already dead at that time. Stearns was last seen driving a silver 2010 Lincoln MKZ that afternoon. Between 1 and 230 on Old Hickory Tree Road and Nulty Road, which is near where her body was found Friday. Our cameras were rolling as Stearns was transferred from Orange County to Osceola County Jail today, before she was found where was Maddie last seen? Why aren't you helping her mother and her family? This is a little girl. Help them find Maddie Stearns is in jail with no bond. He will have a first appearance in Osceola County. Just one day after the body of 13 year old Maddie Soto was found, the prime suspect in her disappearance was a no show in court today. Thanks for joining us at five. I'm Maddie martinez. Stephanie Stern's waived his first appearance before a judge this morning for the second time in just a span of a few days. He's now facing sexual battery and child charges, but has not so far yet been charged in Maddie's death. Fox 30 Five's Matt Trezza explains why more charges could be on the way. Stephanie Stearns was a no show for his first appearance in Osceola County Court. His lawyer didn't even want the judge reading out the charges. Stephen Stearns or Stephanie. Your honor, at this time, I am going to waive Mr. Stearns appearance. I'm also going to waive the reading of these charges. Mr. Stearns is aware of what he's been arrested for. At the first appearance, Stearns face charges including sexual battery and possession of material depicting sexual performance by a child. Stearns had voluntarily handed his phone to investigators who managed to recover photos and videos that they called disturbing. Investigators say he's also the prime suspect in Maddie Soto's disappearance. Search teams finally recovered Maddie's body Friday evening after an exhaustive search through the woods in Osceola County. The judge said Stearns would stay behind bars, understood, sir. You got zero bond in 24 CF 632. Good luck to you. Orange County deputies have turned over the case to Kissimmee Police. Sheriff John Mina says they have proof Stearns tried to cover his tracks after Maddie's death. We have video evidence that shows Stephen Stearns discarding items in a dumpster in that apartment complex in Kissimmee at 735 on Monday, February 26. Detectives later recovered Madeleine's backpack and her school issued laptop from that dumpster at 819, we have evidence that shows Stephen Stearns returning to the complex and Madeleine was visible in that vehicle, we believe she was already dead at that time, former Orlando Police chief Orlando Rolon says Stearns may have thought he could fool investigators. This is a perfect example of someone who probably thought, I can get away with this, and unfortunately, everything is pointing at the fact that he has now been caught for the murder of this child. Kissimmee police say at this time they aren't releasing any further updates on the Right now on the Fox 35 news at ten. Morning, Maddie. Support continues to pour in for 13 year old Maddie Soto after her body was found yesterday in Osceola County. Thanks for joining us at ten. I'm Maddie Martinez. We have team coverage again tonight from the courtroom to a memorial and it's Fox 35. Stephanie Buffomante. That leads us off from where investigator found Maddie's body. Residents set up this memorial along the road near where Maddie was found. I spoke with people who brought flowers here who say they never met Maddie, but were heartbroken to hear of her loss. I don't even know the girl I'm getting choked up, but, uh, it's just sad that it happened. She didn't deserve that. Flowers stuffed animals and rosaries. All for Madeline Soto. Many in the community were shaken to hear of the 13 year old's death, especially when her body was recovered in their neighborhood. I felt devasted and I felt like it was something so messed up and nobody should ever go through that. The Osceola County Sheriff's Office says a tip led law enforcement to her body off Hickory Tree Road Friday afternoon. Jason Garcia used to ride past there on the way to school. It was definitely heartbreaking because it's like, you know, it's close by. Home And when I actually, like saw where she was basically found, I was like, wow. Like I used to take the bus, like every single morning and throughout this area. So it was something that, you know, just broke my heart. Madeline was found in a very rural part of Osceola County, only a few homes on this stretch of Hickory Tree Road. Deputies believe Maddie's mom's boyfriend, Stefan Stearns, moved her body and is the prime suspect in her death and that's what so many find. So hard to stomach. Nobody should be killed and thrown in the middle of nowhere. It's something that shouldn't happen to no child out there. And it's like, you know why? Why like someone that could have a bright future. Stearns, who is now behind bars, was last seen driving a silver 2010 Lincoln MKZ Monday afternoon between 1 and 230 on Old Hickory Tree Road and Nolte Road, which is near where her body was found. This man's family member caught a car driving past their home Monday afternoon on a home security camera that matched when and where Stearns was driving. He gave it to Kissimmee PD. I believe the Kissimmee Police Department is going to make sure they have all the solid evidence that they can get to make sure that this man stays behind bars. If you have any tips that may help this investigation, call the Kissimmee Police Department. You can also call Crime Line and remain anonymous news Morgan we appreciate that. Thank you so much. It is 703. And right now investigators are working to piece together Madeleine Soto's murder. The 13 year old teenager was found dead in rural Osceola County on Friday. The prime suspect, Maddie's brother's mother's boyfriend is behind bars this morning. This investigation has been a multi-agency effort. As you know, officers and deputies from Orange and Osceola counties worked together, hoping for a positive outcome, but prepared for the worst. Maddie's case ultimately ending in tragedy. Joining me in studio now to discuss the death investigation is former Orlando Police chief Orlando Rolon. Chief, thank you so much for being here. It is always good to see you. Thank you for having me. This was just such a massive search effort. And for those of us in the media who do these kinds of stories all the time, and for you as as former police chief, to walk me through kind of the stages and how when we all kind of knew that this was not going to end the way that we had hoped it would. So when the first officer arrived, goes through the process until the investigators come on the scene, there's a lot of information that's being collected. And based on that initial information that sets the stage for the things to come in this particular situation, it was clear that something was not right. And through the process of collecting evidence to include video evidence and what have you, that also created more of an urgency or actually set the stage for what was then said that the outcome of this investigation was not going to be a good one? One of the things we noticed is that the morning that the announcement was made that Madeleine's body had been found, the family had stopped talking. Does that indicate that perhaps the night before they were told, which we now know that this was not going to end the way that we of course, wanted it to end. And with the family not speaking out at all. And then this discovery being made, it kind of was strategic, I think, on the part of the police to say, listen, we're going to keep you quiet, but then we're going to make this announcement. And that's typically how it works when you know that this is going to be the end result. Yes. You have to take into consideration how any messaging will affect the family, the survivors and in this particular case, I think it was the right move, you know, to inform them of what was going to happen. And of course, the outcome that was announced. The thing I think is so sad is that we're all human beings. I say this all the time as a journalist. There are some stories that even though, you know, we obviously have to be objective, we are human beings and they still affect us. Talk about the mental toll that something like this takes on the officers, who are probably parents themselves, and how this can affect them. I like you said, we're all humans and officers are human beings that have families and can relate to what the agony that someone is experiencing when they lose someone. So it's tough, but also think about this there. There are also trained to deal with these situations. In other words, they're exposed to a lot, right? Everyone has a limit, but they're exposed to a lot. And therefore that is why they're most prepared to handle these type of cases. But we they everyone must keep themselves in check to ensure that it doesn't affect them to the point where later on it could be detrimental for their career. So I want to talk a little bit about the mom zoom interview. Two things stood out to me with that. The first one was that she said, we dropped her off. We And then she kind of switched to I and then he was in the background of that interview, kind of cracking his knuckles and looking fairly nervous and that kind of thing. And I think, you know, everybody's kind of antennas were raised during that interview. Do you think that police looked at that as well and kind of said, okay, something kind of is not right here? I can assure you that the law enforcement agencies that are involved are looking at everything and nothing has been discounted at this point. And the investigation is ongoing. That's that's one thing that everyone must keep in mind. Everything that to the law enforcement agency, the lead agency investigating this case, may find to be suspicious or needing further clarification that will take place. You said the investigation is ongoing. What could that include? So of course, there is the evidence that what's now that is now being collected or has been collected, where unfortunately, the body was found. And there is additional evidence that was collected from the scene. Forensic evidence, video evidence. I mean, there is a slew of things that have to come together in order for them to formulate a conclusion, or at least present what they believe is a conclusion to what led to her death. With that said, everyone involved, the family members, friends, anyone who may have had any contact with the person responsible will be subject of will be part of the investigation. So all of that has to be filtered through before eventually the state attorney and the prosecution sees the evidence or gets the evidence and determines what next step must be taken and very quickly, before we go, it may be hard to determine, but it generally in cases like this, what is the time frame? What is the time frame until it perhaps it goes to trial time is of the essence, but eventually and ultimately it will be up to the prosecution to determine when is that best, and also for the court system, the judicial system, to determine when those things will take place. Chief Malone, always goo
