It seems plausible that Lincoln could get a flat easily if he drove off road somehow in it. I'm not really clear as to the exact location of MS remains, but having seen photos of the vehicle he was driving seems reasonable he could easily get a flat trying to dispose of her body.
I'm normally all for giving a parent some benefit of the doubt, however JS has clearly mislead LE. And doing so about when she last saw and spoke with her missing daughter is major. It isn't as if under stress she got MS Croc color confused or something, or misspoke and quickly apologized and corrected herself.
Apparently it was ~60' from the road according to this Grey Hughes video. It also shows her body BUT it is blurred out, as it should be. Apologize if this is duplicate info. I'm trying to get caught up but y'all post too fast!
On February 26, 2023, at approximately 1948 hours, I, Deputy Joseph (10644), responded to [redacted] Village Park Drive, Orlando, Orange County, Florida, regarding a Missing Juvenile. While on the scene, the step-parent stated he dropped his daughter off at school, and when the mother went to the school, the daughter was not there. The parents searched within the neighborhood and places where the daughter may have gone. The parents could provide a location where the daughter may have been but yielded negative results when deputies checked the area. The juvenile was entered into FCIC/NCIC and EMEResouce as missing disabled.
My investigation revealed the following:
When I arrived on the scene, I spoke with the mother, Jennifer Lissette Soto, who gave me verbal and sworn written testimony. On February 26, 2023, at approximately 0800 hours Jennifer observed (missing) Madeline Soto getting dressed for school, (step-father) Stephan Sterns took Madeline to school dropping her off near the intersection of Town Loop Bivd and Hunter's Park lane at approximately 0830 hours. Jennifer went to Hunter's Creek Middle School in an attempt to pick up Madeline at approximately 1600 hours when she discovered Madeline did not make it to school. In an effort to find Madeline, Jennifer looked through the neighborhoods near Madeline's school and went to her mother's business office located at [redacted] Village Park Drive.
I later spoke with Stephan Stern who stated in a verbal and sworn written statement the following:
At approximately 0825 - 0840 hours Stephan dropped Madeline off approximately one block away from her school. Stephan watched Madeline leave his vehicle and walk toward the direction of her school. As Stephan was driving away he could see what appeared to be Madeline searching through her book bag he did not think anything of it due to Madeline usually looked through her bag to find headphones so she could put them in before going to school. Stephan began heading home when he attempted to stop for a vape juice at a nearby vape shop but determined it was closed, so Stephan went home to Kissimmee. Once Stephan was home for about an hour he went back out to retrieve a vape juice and then run errands. Stephan stated he returned home and stayed home at approximately 1430 hours.
While on the scene, I had Deputy Diaz go to [redacted] Los Palmas Vista Drive (grandmother's home) due to the close proximity to both the school and the grandmother's business that Madeline would frequently visit. Deputy Moony was able to establish an attempt to contact [redacted] Santa Maria Drive to see if Madeline made her way back to her mother's home. Both addresses yielded negative results.
[obscured] provide me with the phone number of Madeline's best friend
I think we'd all be interested in seeing the actual sworn statements (is there difference between a sworn testimony and a sworn statement?), but this means that LE knows precisely what JS's original story was for them to compare against. Some of WFTV's earlier reporting had me thinking that they were primarily going off the description "Jennifer observed," which IMO isn't very reliable phrasing.
Just to nitpick though--LE says this is from JS's sworn statement, and then identifies SS as MS's step-father, which we don't believe to be factually true. I have no conclusions to draw from this, just thinking there is no reason for anyone to lie about it, and yet it isn't true.
How did JS see her daughter at 8:00? I'm glad LE is looking closely at her statements.
snipped
Detectives believe that Madeline Soto was likely dead early Monday, because surveillance video recorded at the Kissimmee apartment complex where the family lived shows Sterns dumping her belongings in a dumpster at 7:35 a.m.
At 8:19 a.m., video shows the girl in Sterns’ vehicle, and she was believed to already be dead in that video, Mina said.
The Kissimmee Police Department has taken over the investigation into the girl’s death since Mina’s news conference. Sources tell Channel 9 that Jennifer Soto has been interviewed multiple times by detectives from two agencies and that they are looking closely at all the statements she has made.
But Kissimmee police will not officially comment.
An initial report also shows that Sterns told investigators that after Madeline Soto got out of the car, she stopped to look in her backpack before he drove away. That backpack was discovered in a dumpster after her death.
Sterns said he went home for about an hour after going to a vape store and then ran errands and was home until 2:30 that day, the report said.
Detectives said a tip showed him changing a flat tire not far from where the girl’s body was found that afternoon.
Before Sterns’ arrest, he told Channel 9 that he dropped off Madeline Soto at school the morning of her disappearance.
“She was asleep for most of the way,” he said. “I told her‘have a good day at school’ when she got out -- ‘I love her.’She said, ‘Thanks, I love you, too.’ And that was it.”
Law enforcement officers believe Sterns never drove Madeline Soto to school and that she was already dead that morning.
Channel 9 learned Tuesday that the story Jennifer Soto -- the mother of 13-year-old Madeline Soto -- gave to law enforcement does not line up with what investigators know.
I would personally find it very odd if the officer did not say the sheets etc were consistent with those found in the room of JS & SS or "her parent's room", but you have a point. I mean, they were a couple, presenting as "partners"? I do take this as some level of confirmation of Frank's (I think it was Frank, like you I find some of these details crazymaking) statement about the separate bedrooms since it was specifically referred to as Stephan's room.
On a sad note, we know SS abused MS in her bedroom as well. But given the grandmother's statements about MS not sleeping alone, I guess at least we do know the poor kid at least HAD her own room. In another Gray Hughes video which was shared last night, the "Part 2. Interview with Josh", the friend Josh tells about going to the condo and saying SS& JS had a shared room, and MS had her own room AND other family lived there. Josh said the rest of the condo--living room, etc was "off limits" and as a visitor he was only allowed in the bedrooms of SS/JS & MS.
All of this is just really weird to me, trying to get some context or plausible explanation for how JS could have been unaware of the SA, unaware of MS being deceased in the apartment in the early morning hours, etc. For me, it just does not add up. Too many red flags.
Can you provide the link or transcript where the grandmother says the statement about her not sleeping alone? The only interview I've seen is from the beginning, in Spanish, and she only says a few things, like SS not being the one who normally takes her to school.. so I'm thinking I'm watching a different video than the one you are referencing, could you or anyone provide the source where she said she was afraid to sleep alone? Thanks in advance!
Know the difference between a sworn statement and an affidavit by visiting LegalMatch. If you need legal help, get a lawyer near your area to explain more
www.legalmatch.com
<snipped>
What Is the Difference between Sworn Statements and Affidavits?
A sworn statement and an affidavit are similar in that they are both written documents that are signed and certified by the person making the statement in the presence of a person authorized to administer oaths and in which the person making the statement swears or affirms that the information contained in the statement is true and accurate to the best of their knowledge.
However, the key difference between the two is that an affidavit is a type of sworn statement that is used in legal proceedings, while a sworn statement can be used in any situation where a person needs to provide a written, sworn statement of fact.
In a legal context, an affidavit is a legal document and is considered as evidence in a court of law, while a sworn statement is more like a testimonial statement.
Know the difference between a sworn statement and an affidavit by visiting LegalMatch. If you need legal help, get a lawyer near your area to explain more
Be cautious about these online background reports, or really any others. They’re useful for collecting info but I don’t think this means that SS actually resided at his parent’s house. They have outdated info all the time, or maybe he used their address for mail.
I am an AAA member with my own address, but they send mail to my mom’s house asking if I want life insurance all the time. Maintaining accurate info is difficult for these databases.
My mom is always calling me about mail addressed to me at her address. I have not lived there since 1992! I have had Christmas gifts mailed there on occasion so that must be how it happens. It's usually something irrelevant like hearing aids or tv service or something. They must buy mailing lists.
Know the difference between a sworn statement and an affidavit by visiting LegalMatch. If you need legal help, get a lawyer near your area to explain more
www.legalmatch.com
<snipped>
What Is the Difference between Sworn Statements and Affidavits?
A sworn statement and an affidavit are similar in that they are both written documents that are signed and certified by the person making the statement in the presence of a person authorized to administer oaths and in which the person making the statement swears or affirms that the information contained in the statement is true and accurate to the best of their knowledge.
However, the key difference between the two is that an affidavit is a type of sworn statement that is used in legal proceedings, while a sworn statement can be used in any situation where a person needs to provide a written, sworn statement of fact.
In a legal context, an affidavit is a legal document and is considered as evidence in a court of law, while a sworn statement is more like a testimonial statement.
Know the difference between a sworn statement and an affidavit by visiting LegalMatch. If you need legal help, get a lawyer near your area to explain more
Yup and an affidavit was created.
From my experience.... A form is completed in a persons own handwriting, they read the statement, magistrate reads the oath, it's filed. All while holding up my hand, under oath.
It is a legal document. I'm sure it's standard operating procedure to obtain a sworn statement, in order to file a missing person report and initiate an investigation.
Miranda Rights, are standard operating procedure at time of arrest.
MOO. A child out of wedlock, a failed marriage, I'm not judging her but there's a good chance her family did and she felt like a failure. Along comes SS to take full advantage of her, grooming her and Madeline.
My take is sometimes hinky meters will go off with friends and family, but the hinky meter is ignored by the person dating that person. IOW, JS's family hinky meters are going off with SS, but JS is ignoring her hinky meter because she doesn't want it to be true, and doesn't want a reason to stop dating the guy. Especially since he was SO "good" with and to her daughter.
I'm also guessing that he called himself Maddie's "step-father", even though he wasn't, because it sounded "friendlier/cozier". Like... see how much I care about you, even though your mother and I aren't married, I care for you like a (step) father would. Just yuck.
Not only that, but when asked during a press conference if mom was a suspect, the sheriff said something to the effect of "not at this time." Whenever I've heard that we've eventually gone on to learn that person was in fact a suspect. It all made sense once we heard about the mom's account being a lie.
Not necessarily, "The Miranda warning (from the U.S. Supreme Court's Miranda v. Arizona decision) requires that officers let you know of certain rights after your arrest and before questioning you."
Police only need to provide Miranda warnings in certain situations. Learn when Miranda rights are required and what happens if police don't follow the law.
www.nolo.com
"It doesn't matter whether an interrogation occurs in a jail, at the scene of a crime, on a busy downtown street, or in the middle of an open field: If a person is in custody (not free to leave, whether or not handcuffs are involved), the police must read the Miranda rights if they want to ask questions and use the answers as evidence at trial"
It is interesting that she would sign a false affidavit. Imo
Not necessarily, "The Miranda warning (from the U.S. Supreme Court's Miranda v. Arizona decision) requires that officers let you know of certain rights after your arrest and before questioning you."
Police only need to provide Miranda warnings in certain situations. Learn when Miranda rights are required and what happens if police don't follow the law.
www.nolo.com
"It doesn't matter whether an interrogation occurs in a jail, at the scene of a crime, on a busy downtown street, or in the middle of an open field: If a person is in custody (not free to leave, whether or not handcuffs are involved), the police must read the Miranda rights if they want to ask questions and use the answers as evidence at trial"
It is interesting that she would sign a false affidavit. Imo
I’m not understanding what you’re saying. As she wasn’t under arrest, she didn’t need to be read her rights. Therefore any statement she made could be used as evidence against her.
Not necessarily, "The Miranda warning (from the U.S. Supreme Court's Miranda v. Arizona decision) requires that officers let you know of certain rights after your arrest and before questioning you."
Police only need to provide Miranda warnings in certain situations. Learn when Miranda rights are required and what happens if police don't follow the law.
www.nolo.com
It is interesting that she would sign a false affidavit. Imo
However, she was required to provide written and sworn statement of facts BEFORE LE could initiate an investigation and search.
Folks can't just call the police and say my child is missing but I can't/won't give you any critical information..like the last time I saw my child...and expect LE to take action. A missing person report must be filed.
I'm sure officers have a list of information needed to initiate a search, last seen, time, location, mental status, names of friends, etc.
She clearly wrote and swore to a statement, that contradicts information she provided in media interviews, as to when she last saw her daughter.
Why she gave that statement? I don't know, I don't necessarily feel it means she is guilty of anything, maybe she was mistaken? Maybe it was just reported by the police officer but it was an inconsistent statement like many others in the report, like SS was her step father? Where on earth did the officer get that notion? I don't know that either.
I feel reasonably sure this has been posted before, but I can’t find it. Here’s the affidavit of probable cause for the arrest warrant. This is the only official document with statements from JS and SS released by law enforcement so far.
Fair ***WARNING***, this document is ***GRAPHIC*** and contains un-redacted specifics regarding SA of a child.
I’m not understanding what you’re saying. As she wasn’t under arrest, she didn’t need to be read her rights. Therefore any statement she made could be used as evidence against her.
It's very complicated, and I've done intense study in criminal law and it's all hypothetical, most of the statements I'm making would be arguments made in court well after an indictment, and be up to a judges ruling, like I've stated before. I apologize for appearing to get off topic or for being confusing.
I edited my comment to add, do we know if she was mirandized when she made those statements? Wwre they otherwise freely made? Was it an admission made before she was mirandized or not? Do we know that?
Can you provide the link or transcript where the grandmother says the statement about her not sleeping alone? The only interview I've seen is from the beginning, in Spanish, and she only says a few things, like SS not being the one who normally takes her to school.. so I'm thinking I'm watching a different video than the one you are referencing, could you or anyone provide the source where she said she was afraid to sleep alone? Thanks in advance!
My understanding of admissions not made under Miranda might be found inadmissible, those would be orders made after the indictment by a defense attorney, so I seriously doubt officers would use one statement that could be considered just an admission that might be ruled inadmissible after the fact, and risk losing the whole false statement case, they're going to let them make a ton of admissions and be sure they're under Miranda. IMO. I'm sure they've done this and are building their case. I wish they would release something soon! I would hate to think they would allow this family to be dragged through the mud if they had more information. I think they do have information we don't know and they are building a good case. I just think the mishap early on is causing them to be a little more judicious on what they do release.
Not necessarily, "The Miranda warning (from the U.S. Supreme Court's Miranda v. Arizona decision) requires that officers let you know of certain rights after your arrest and before questioning you."
Police only need to provide Miranda warnings in certain situations. Learn when Miranda rights are required and what happens if police don't follow the law.
www.nolo.com
"It doesn't matter whether an interrogation occurs in a jail, at the scene of a crime, on a busy downtown street, or in the middle of an open field: If a person is in custody (not free to leave, whether or not handcuffs are involved), the police must read the Miranda rights if they want to ask questions and use the answers as evidence at trial"
It is interesting that she would sign a false affidavit. Imo
She wasn't under arrest, nor under suspicion of a crime. She is currently not under arrest. She was completing a statement required to initiate a missing person report. She could have refused, continued to look for MS on her own.
Most all LE actions require a sworn statement. If someone assaults me, or steals from me and LE didn't witness I am required to complete a Statement of Fact Affidavit, under oath, before an arrest warrant is issued.
She was not under arrest, didn't have to talk to LE, write or sign anything.
Moo
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
www.legalmatch.com
www.nolo.com
www.telemundo31.com
