Madeline Soto update: ‘I didn’t start this,’ Stephan Sterns told dad in recorded jailhouse call

“I didn’t start it” Those are the words Stephan Sterns, accused of attacking and killing 13-year-old Madeline Soto, told his family in a recorded call from prison aired on FOX 35 Orlando.

The Florida State’s Attorney’s Office released additional documents, including audio of a recorded conversation from prison between the Sterns and what appears to be their parents in May 2024.

During the roughly 15-minute interview, Sterns laments receiving “the world’s most ridiculous birthday present,” wishes his mother a belated birthday and Mother’s Day, and tries to answer his parents’ questions about the ongoing investigation.

The phone call apparently took place after first-degree intentional homicide charges were filed against him in April.

• Stern’s father: “Are we expecting these accusations?”
• Asses: “NO.”
• Father: “A murder charge? So you were blindsided by this?”
• Asses: “Yeah. Frankly, it’s not true. You know, I would never want him to go away for any reason. He’s a first-degree (expletive) punch who meditates beforehand.”

The Sterns then asked their parents if there were any updates, but no one was specific about what they were referring to.

• Asses: “No, I was wondering if there were any updates or something?”
• Parents: “No. We haven’t heard anything. There’s just speculation that he’s been institutionalized and is hiding in an institution.”
• Mother: “At the request of your lawyer.”
• Father: “Are you helping? Are you cooperating with the police regarding his involvement in such events?”
• Asses: “I haven’t had the opportunity to cooperate on anything. My understanding is that the police are saying I’m not cooperating, but there’s nothing asking me to cooperate. So whatever that means.”
• Father: “Doesn’t your lawyer approach them and tell them that my client wants to talk to you?
• Sterns: “No, my lawyers tell me to keep my mouth shut until the trial starts.”

Sterns is the only person charged in the disappearance and death of Madeline Soto. The girl’s mother, Jennifer Soto, was not named as a suspect or suspect and no charges were filed against her.

Another woman also lived with Jenn and her daughter. He told detectives he thought Sterns was acting strangely before Maddie was reported missing. He noticed that he had power tools, although it was unclear what project he was working on. He also did laundry, something he said he never did.

At another point in the conversation, Sterns’ father appears to wonder if Sterns could provide information about the allegations.

• “I wish there was a way for you and I to talk, for all of us to talk, to understand what happened, how this came about, what your life here is like, because that would help you.” We can understand the situation better because we are having a hard time understanding how all this happened, we are completely confused,” said Sterns’ father.
• “I didn’t start it,” Sterns replies, almost defensively.
• “Okay. You didn’t initiate but you participated, which is just as bad as not initiating, but that’s a topic for another day.”

Sterns later told his father that he could not discuss the details of the case and that his father could schedule a time to visit him in prison. However, his father said that they would not be able to talk without recording.

Sterns then asked his parents if he could add more money to the prison commissary account.

• Asses: “It wouldn’t be a problem if you put some more money into my commissary.”
• Father: “Okay. I can’t do much Steph, because we really are, and when I say my ass is broken, I mean my ass is broken.”

According to court records, Sterns was charged with nearly 60 counts of sexual misconduct after explicit photos of Maddie were found on his cell phone. He is also charged with first-degree murder in Maddie’s death. He did not accept the accusations.

Maddie was reported missing on February 26th. His body was found March 1 in a grassy field in Osceola County.

His trial is currently scheduled for September 2025.