Bodycam video released at night, Madeline Soto reported missing

ORANGE COUNTY, Florida. – The Orange County Sheriff's Office released body camera video Monday showing the initial investigation into Madeline Soto's disappearance from the night she was reported missing.

The first video shows initial interviews with Jenn Soto, Madeline Soto's mother, and Stephen Sterns, the mother's boyfriend and the man who would ultimately be named as the prime suspect and charged in the 13-year-old's death.

Madeline Soto was first reported missing on February 26.

The video begins with the deputies meeting with Jenn Soto and Sterns. Jenn Soto can be heard explaining that she went to pick up her daughter from Hunter's Creek Middle School, but the girl never came out.

[TIMELINE: Here’s where things stand in the Madeline Soto case so far]

“I received a notice from the school that she was absent, but I also sent a message to her teacher, and he looked at her entire attendance today and saw that she didn't “Was absolutely not at school today,” Jenn Soto told the deputy in the video.

As they continued the description, Sterns told the deputy, “She just celebrated her 13th birthday.” »

Sterns can also be heard telling the deputy what she was last wearing.

“A green hoodie, white Crocs and blue or black pants,” he said in the video.

“Black shorts, I think,” Jenn Soto replied.

At the time, investigators learned that Sterns had dropped off Madeline Soto near the middle school around 8:30 a.m.; however, Sheriff John Mina would later say that the girl was “already dead at that point.”

A few days later, on February 29, Sterns would be arrested and named the primary suspect in the 13-year-old's disappearance.

On March 1, Madeline Soto's body was found in the woods along Hickory Tree Road in Osceola County.

Nearly two weeks later, Sterns would be charged with multiple counts of child sexual abuse. Investigators said they found photos and videos of the man sexually abusing a child.

It would be several more weeks before Sterns would be charged in Madeline Soto's death. He is now awaiting trial.

News 6 is still reviewing body camera videos released by the Orange County Sheriff's Office. This story will be updated as we gather more information.

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