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A truly devastating case is unfolding in central Florida after a Kissimmee teenager went missing.
13-year-old Madeline Soto is now believed to be deceased after personal belongings, including a backpack and laptop, were found in a dumpster. This revelation comes just days after child pornography was found on Stephan Stern’s personal devices. Sterns was Madeline’s mother’s boyfriend and the last confirmed person to have seen Madeline before she disappeared on Monday, February 26.
Credit: Canva
Stephan Sterns Arrested Amidst Horrifying Disappearance
This terrifying case took a new twist when Sterns was arrested on Wednesday, February 28, for sexual battery and possession of child pornography. Stern is also the lead suspect in Madeline’s disappearance, which is being closely investigated by the Kissimmee Police Department.
During the investigation, it was revealed from Sterns’s Facebook profile that he was an employee of Walt Disney World Resort, located less than 30 minutes from Kissimmee. Now, the Walt Disney Company has stepped forward to refute these claims and confirm that Sterns was not a cast member.
Related: ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ Film Star Arrested, Charged With Violent Crime Causing “Traumatic” Injury
Credit: Disney
A Trail of Lies
Many people are unsettled by the fact that Stern would lie about being employed at Walt Disney World Resort. This year, numerous cast members have been arrested for various heinous crimes. However, it has now been confirmed that the individual in question is not employed by the Walt Disney Company. Disney failed to mention if he had worked there previously.
Disney claims that Stephan Sterns does not work for the company, but didn't say whether he previously worked for the company.
Sterns FB says he's a @WaltDisneyWorld cast member.
Sterns is the prime suspect in the disappearance of 13-year-old Madeline Soto & was just arrested for… pic.twitter.com/05j2Wb41R4— JLR© (@JLRINVESTIGATES) February 29, 2024
This revelation highlights the importance of verifying information before jumping to conclusions, especially in sensitive cases like this. The swift correction of this error serves as a reminder of the need for accurate reporting and the potential repercussions of spreading inaccurate news in high-profile situations. By rectifying this misconception, the focus can now shift back to the investigation of the case without the distraction of false associations.
At this time, the Kissimmee Police Department is working closely with the Digital Forensics Unit to piece together what happened to Madeline. They hope that Stern’s arrest will lead them to more answers. Sheriff John Mina said,
“Stephan Sterns had an opportunity tonight to come clean with detectives and help lead them to information about Maddie’s disappearance. Her loved ones deserve answers, and OCSO and the Kissimmee police will not stop until we find Maddie.”
If you know any information that could help this case, please contact authorities immediately.
This post originally appeared on Disney Dining.
