The man accused of murdering 13-year-old Madeline Soto and dumping her body in the Florida woods is now facing 60 sex crime charges after police allege they found disturbing evidence involving a minor on his cell phone.
Police named Madeline's mother's boyfriend, Stephan Sterns, 37, the primary suspect in the teen's alleged murder and disappearance.
Sterns was allegedly tasked with dropping her off at school the morning of Feb. 26, but she failed to show up, investigators said.
Video evidence from that day allegedly showed Sterns discarding several items in a dumpster, including Madeline's backpack, at the Kissimmee, Florida, apartment he shared with Madeline and her mother, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Office.
Surveillance footage also allegedly captured the teen in Sterns' car that same morning, although authorities believe she was already dead.
Madeline's body was discovered in the nearby woods during a coordinated search on March 1, four days after she was reported missing, according to police.
In addition to being named the primary suspect in Madeline's murder, Sterns has now been charged with eight counts of sexual battery on a child under 12, five counts of sexual battery with a child 12-18, seven counts of lewd and lascivious molestation, and 40 counts of unlawful possession of materials depicting sexual performance by a child 10 or more images, in connection with the alleged pictures and videos found on his phone, authorities announced Tuesday.
Police did not clarify if the content involved Madeline or other victims.
It's unclear if Sterns entered a plea to the charges or retained an attorney to comment on his behalf.
He remains held at an Osceola County jail on no bond.
"We appreciate the efforts of our partners in the State Attorney's Office in assisting with seeking justice for Madeline," Kissimmee Chief of Police Betty Holland said in a statement. "With this being a complex case with many facets, our work is not done, and we are continuing our investigation into the timeline leading up to Madeline's death."
