Disney “Refuses Involvement” in Tragic 13-Year-Old Murder Following Evidence Leak

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Guests look on inside the Magic Kingdom besides the Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse statue, Partners, at Walt Disney World Resort

Credit: Disney

In a very tragic update, the body of young Madeline Sotto has been found after the 13-year-old was announced missing just minutes from Walt Disney World earlier this week.

On Monday, February 27, 2024, Madeline Sotto went missing after she was found not appearing in class at Hunter’s Creek Middle School. When Sotto went missing, not only was an alert sent out online to locals but a team of 50 people went on the search to find her.

According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Madeline Soto was last seen around the 13500 block of Town Loop Boulevard in Orlando. For reference, this is around a 10-minute drive from Walt Disney World property. While many were hoping Madeline would be found safe, that was tragically not the case.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department shared the news:

MADELINE SOTO’S BODY HAS BEEN FOUND.
At about 4:30 p.m. today, off of Hickory Tree Road, Osceola County Sheriff’s Office search teams located the body of Madeline Soto in a wooded area.
Madeline’s family has been notified. We have no additional information to release at this time. Kissimmee PD is the lead agency in this homicide investigation. That work continues.

On Wednesday evening, authorities apprehended Stephan Sterns, the boyfriend of her mother, on charges of sexual battery and possession of child sexual abuse material. Sterns, aged 37, was reportedly the last individual to have seen her. Officials disclosed discovering disturbing images of a criminal and sexual nature on his phone. Investigators also found through phone’s data there were attempts to delete evidence.

Moreover, investigations revealed attempts to erase evidence from the phone’s data. According to jail records, Sterns is presently detained at Osceola County Corrections, facing charges of sexual battery and possession of child sexual abuse material.

Below is video footage of Stephan Sterns being arrested.

As reported by CBS News, “The criminal activity was committed at the family’s home in Kissimmee, police said. Kissimmee Police Department was notified, and detectives from the department will now work alongside Orange County’s criminal investigations division in a sexual battery case, police said.”

“Stephan Sterns had an opportunity tonight to come clean with detectives and help lead them to information about Maddie’s disappearance,” said Sheriff John Mina. “Her loved ones deserve answers, and OCSO and the Kissimmee Police will not stop until we find Maddie.” Of course, this was all said before Sotto’s body was recovered.

In a shocking development, upon Sterns’ initial arrest, details emerged from his Facebook page asserting his affiliation as a cast member at the Walt Disney World Resort.

The specific location within Disney World where he purportedly worked remains undisclosed. Nonetheless, Disney World promptly issued a statement refuting the assertions presented on Sterns’ Facebook page.

Investigator JLR (@JLRINVESTIGATES) shared Disney’s reply to Stern, reportedly working for the company:

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 having child p*orn on his phone.

While Stern may not currently work for Disney, there is a chance that he did previously work for the house of mouse. There have been multiple reports of cast members arrested for child pornography in the past. 

Most recently, a Disney Cruise Line employee was arrested after child pornography was found among his belongings.

According to USA Today, “Law enforcement found a sexually explicit video featuring minors on a Sandisk Micro SD card belonging to Alvin Gonzales. The search came following tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

The nearly nine-minute video showed an approximately 8 to 10-year-old boy engaging in sex acts with a girl who is approximately 12 to 14, the arrest affidavit said. Gonzales, who is from the Philippines, is charged with possession of child pornography.”

“This individual is no longer with the company, and we will continue to cooperate with law enforcement,” a Disney Cruise Line spokesperson said in an emailed statement. The spokesperson and the affidavit did not specify his job title or the ship he was on.

Inside the Magic sends out condolences to Madeline’s friends and family during this time. 

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