TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Body cam video released by the Orange County Sheriff's Office revealed what Madeline Soto's mother and the man accused of killing her told deputies the night she went missing.
The video, which was obtained by NBC affiliate WESH, showed Jenn Soto explain to deputies that her 13-year-old daughter was dropped off at school by her boyfriend on Feb. 26, Stephan Sterns, but never made it.
Madeline Soto case: Audio reveals what Florida teen’s accused killer told police
According to Soto, her daughter was embarrassed by Sterns' car and wanted to be dropped off away from school.
"She wanted to be dropped off like half a block away," the victim's mother said.
Sterns, who was accused of murdering Soto and leaving her body in a wooded area of Osceola County, also answered deputies' questions.
"I thought she was looking for headphones before she kind of walking on, but she was just kind of in that direction, looked the same as any other morning,” Sterns said.
The suspect was the one who gave deputies a description of Madeline's appearance and told deputies she was "in a phase." While describing the teenager's face, Sterns sighed.
Orange County deputies searched the area where Madeline was last seen with K9s and investigated surveillance video, learning that she never made it to Hunter's Creek Middle School.
Her body would later be found in a wooded area of Osceola County, and authorities identified Sterns as the suspected killer. Sterns was also accused of sexually abusing Madeline before her death.
