A Florida teen has vanished and her mother’s boyfriend has been named a person of interest after cops allegedly found “disturbing” images on his phone.
Madeline “Maddie” Soto was reported missing on Monday after she didn’t show up at school.
Deputies searched the surrounding Orlando-area neighborhoods, but found no trace of the girl, who had turned 13 the day before she vanished.
According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the boyfriend of Maddie’s mother, Stephan Stearns, had driven her to school on Monday morning.
Authorities say he didn’t drop her off in the carline, but instead left her in the parking lot of Peace United Methodist Church, a few blocks away.
When her mother arrived at the school that afternoon to pick her up, she was informed Maddie had never made it to her first period class.
More than 100 deputies spent two days searching for the girl.
On Wednesday, cops announced that they had arrested Stearns on unrelated charges of sexual battery and possession of child sexual abuse material stemming from a search of his phone.
In a press conference, Orange County Sheriff John Mina described the images as “disturbing.” While he declined to disclose whether Maddie was in any of the images, he said it appears the photos and videos were shot in the family’s home.
Mina also alleged Stearns had unsuccessfully attempted to delete some of the photos and videos.
The Post has learned Stearns is being held without bond.
He has invoked his right to legal counsel, but it’s unclear whether he has retained an attorney authorized to speak on his behalf.
Stearns’ arrest has shocked those who know him. “He doesn’t seem the type,” his friend, Joey Carreras, tells The Post. “I always thought he was a straight up type of guy, like a family man type. I don’t know what to think.”
Stearns has not been arrested or charged in connection to Maddie’s disappearance, but the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release he is considered a “prime suspect” in the case.
“Stephan Sterns had an opportunity tonight to come clean with detectives and help lead them to information about Maddie’s disappearance,” Sheriff Mina said. “Her loved ones deserve answers, and OCSO and the Kissimmee Police will not stop until we find Maddie.”
While police continue searching for Maddie, her family is holding out hope that she’s still alive.
“I’m trying to hope for the best, but I’m scared for her,” her mother, Jen Soto, told FOX 35. “I want her to be okay; I want her to be safe. I don’t want her to come back harmed. I just want her back – whatever that means, I just want her back.”
