Respectfully, I believe this is a situation of the DA not prosecuting the mother of a murdered victim because they don't believe they would prevail at trial, and NOT that she's not responsible for criminal conduct.
More recently, from the mouth of JS and the those OP references as being 'on the inside, knowing all of the details,' today we know that not only did JS try to protect SS over her child-- even on the date MS she was found deceased, she told detectives she didn't believe SA involving MS was "evil." To that I say, evil is as evil does.
I'm also reminded how very early in the investigation when JS was first shown photos of SS's penis while with her child, JS insisted she couldn't see a penis in the photo!
During one interview, she said she didn’t notice anything unusual going on between Madeline and Sterns.
www.wesh.com
OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. —
Investigators say Madeline Soto’s mother suggested the sexual abuse involving her daughter was “not evil,” according to documents released by prosecutors this week.
[..]
“During the interview, Jennifer Soto continuously protected Stephan Sterns, was questioned about why she prioritizes Stephan Sterns over (Madeline), and even at one point referred to the ‘sex stuff as not evil but the murder of (Madeline) as ‘evil,” the report says.
“Jennifer Soto did not show the same level of emotion or care in regards to (Madeline’s) on going victimization by Stephan Sterns than she did her disappearance.
It appeared to me that she has already accepted that the victimization was happening and her emotion appeared fictitious,” the report also noted.