Disturbing 43-minute tape as Madeline Soto’s ‘killer’ stepdad says he was ‘zonked out’ on meds the morning she vanished
THE boyfriend of a killed teenager’s mom, who has been accused of murdering the girl, was allegedly taking a sedative medication the morning she disappeared, shocking records reveal.
Madeline Soto, 13, was found dead in St. Cloud, Florida – around 27 miles south of Orlando – on March 1, just days after she disappeared and failed to show up for school.
Family HandoutMadeline Soto’s body was found on March 1 in St. Cloud, Florida[/caption]
Orange County Sheriff's OfficeShe had gone missing after failing to show up at school[/caption]
Orange County Corrections DepartmentStephan Sterns, who stands accused of her murder, claims he was ‘zonked out’ by medication the day she disappeared[/caption]
On February 26, Madeline was supposedly driven to school by Stephan Sterns, her mother Jennifer’s boyfriend.
Sterns has since been accused of sexually abusing and murdering the teenager.
The day after she went missing, Sterns spoke with police as part of their investigation.
Audio files of the interview obtained by NBC affiliate WFLA reveal that Sterns was unable to easily recall the roads he took to drop off Madeline at school, as well as the times.
He allegedly blamed this on being “half-asleep” and using sedative medication he reportedly claimed was for anxiety.
Police records reportedly reveal that Sterns was asked if he had searched for Madeline after she disappeared.
Sterns allegedly told police he did not remember because he was “zonked out” due to the medication.
“My brain was mush, and I was on so many tranquilizers to keep me stabilized,” he reportedly told police.
“I was having rolling panic attacks and breaking down crying.”
GONE MISSING
Madeline was reported missing on February 26 after she failed to show up to school.
Sterns had told police he dropped Madeline off down the road from the school because she was allegedly “very particular what car she (was seen) getting out of in front of the school.”
During his interview with police, Sterns claimed he dropped off Madeline between 8:20 and 8:40 a.m., according to WFLA.
However, detectives questioned the drop off, asking why his car was seen going southbound on John Young Parkway – the opposite direction of the school – at around 8:10 a.m.
Later in their investigation, police found video evidence of Sterns discarding items in a dumpster at an apartment complex around the time he said he was taking Madeline to school.
What charges does Stephan Sterns face?
The boyfriend of Madeline Soto's mother faces more than 60 charges
On March 12, Sterns was charged with:
8 counts of Sexual Battery on a Child Under 12
5 counts of Sexual Battery with a Child 12-18 (Familial/Custodial Authority)
7 counts of Lewd or Lascivious Molestation
40 counts of Unlawful Possession of Materials Depicting Sexual Performance by a Child Ten or More Images
On April 24, he was charged with:
First degree murder in Madeline’s death
The teenager’s backpack and school-issued laptop was found in the dumpster.
Her body was later discovered on March 1 in a wooded area off Hickory Tree Road, which Sterns was known to have been driving long between 1 and 2:30 p.m. on the day that Madeleine disappeared.
DOZENS OF CHARGES
Only two days after Madeleine went missing, Sterns was arrested and charged with sexual battery and possession of child sexual abuse material.
An arrest affidavit obtained by The U.S. Sun claimed that merials found on his phone showed Sterns sexually abusing the 13-year-old for years.
Sterns, who remains in custody, was charged with murdering Madeline on April 24.
Additionally, he faces 60 additional charges including sexual battery of a child under 12, lewd and lascivious molestation, and unlawful possession of materials depicting sexual performance by a child.
The trial for the sex crimes case is scheduled for August 19, while the murder trial is set to begin in mid-July.
APSterns has been accused of sexually abusing the teenager for years[/caption]
InstagramSterns lived with Madeline and her mother[/caption]
Orange County Sheriff's OfficeHe remains in custody and will face trial over the sex crimes charges in August and the murder charge in July[/caption]
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