Missing 13-year-old Florida girl found dead; mother's boyfriend accused of moving body.

Friday afternoon, the Orange County Sheriff's Office found Madeline Soto's body in a forest after hours of searching. Sheriff John Mina said her mother's boyfriend may have moved her body at a press conference earlier.

The Osceola County Sheriff's Office found Madeline's body in a woodland off Hickory Tree Road about 4:30 p.m., according to the Orange County Sheriff's Office. Madeline's family was alerted. New info is unavailable. The Kissimmee PD is investigating this murder. Sheriff's office says work continues.

The sheriff's office said Madeline was last seen Monday morning when Stephan Sterns, 37, her mother's boyfriend, left her off a few blocks from Hunter's Creek Middle School in Orlando. Mina said in a Friday press conference that evidence reveals she was never dropped off near her school that morning. 

The "prime suspect" Sterns was arrested Wednesday night for sexual battery and possession of child sexual abuse material after detectives found “disturbing images” and recordings on his phone that were “criminal, and sexual in nature”.

Mina believes Madeline was murdered in Kissimmee, where her family lived in an apartment, and Sterns moved her body early Monday morning. Stephen Stern returned to the complex with Madeline in his car. Sheriff: She may have died then. Authorities didn't indicate when the footage was shot. On Monday, February 26, authorities found video of Sterns dumping things in a Kissimmee apartment complex dumpster at 7:35 a.m. Detectives found Madeline's backpack and laptop in the trash.

Makingline's mother was informed of her alleged death by police Thursday night. Investigators don't suspect her. Kissimmee Police take up homicide investigations.

Kissimmee Police Chief Betty Holland asked tips while searching for the child. Sterns drove a silver 2010 Lincoln MKZ between State Road 192 and Old Hickory Tree and Nulty roads Monday from 1 to 2:30 p.m. This may have been a flat tire change.

Mina said Sterns hasn't told anyone. Kissimmee police arrested him for capital sexual battery and brought him to Osceola County Jail.

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