Sheriff in the area where the 13-year-old boy is located Madeline Soto The man who disappeared and died has been criticized for posting photos of the crime scene, and the police department has now apologized.
This debacle is also happening in Osceola County, Florida. Madeline was found dead by authorities in a wooded area on Friday after going missing from her home in neighboring Orange County last week.
Photos of Madeline’s body were released on Saturday, the day after it was discovered. reportedly Posted on the Osceola County Sheriff’s Official Instagram Account marcos lopez. The photo, believed to be a classified crime scene image and since deleted, is said to show a body matching Madeline’s description lying lifeless on the ground.
The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office is now telling local residents: news organization The photo was mistakenly included in a post about a community event for seniors. They added: “We deeply apologize for the confusion and disruption this has caused.”
The sheriff’s office has not confirmed or denied the photo of Madeline’s body.
Somehow this is even worse for the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office…because the same morning that the suspect Soto’s photo was posted to IG, another member of the Sheriff’s Office shared a selfie. is Stephen StearnsMadeline’s mother’s boyfriend, and the prime suspect in her disappearance and death, has since been taken into custody.
Nirva RodriguezThe OCSD executive director shared an image on his Facebook page showing Stearns being led out of the building in handcuffs. She reportedly captured her post… “If God’s love is pouring into your life, don’t let evil keep you from what God has for you. It is unclear what her intentions are behind the post/message.
In any case…this selfie was reportedly taken after Stearns was arrested on child pornography and child sexual assault charges.
Significant developments in the case of missing 13-year-old Madeline Soto:
This evening, Kissimmee Police Department, in conjunction with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, arrested Stephen Stearns, 37, on charges of sexual assault and possession of child sexual abuse material. pic.twitter.com/yZn8O8JpYM
— Orange County Sheriff’s Office (@OrangeCoSheriff) February 29, 2024
@OrangeCoSheriff
Law enforcement has yet to specifically link these charges to Madeline’s case… nor have they formally filed any charges in connection with her disappearance or death. He has not yet entered a plea.
Rodriguez’s FB post with Mr. Stearns has also been deleted, FWIW…and it’s worth noting that she oversees multiple departments at OCSD, including media, outreach, and community services.
Although multiple law enforcement agencies were involved in Madeline’s discovery and Stearns’ detention, the Kissimmee Police Department is currently in charge of investigating the teen’s death and disappearance…and Florida law requires that Madeline be taken into custody. The publication of photographs depicting the murder of a man is widely prohibited. Minors without the permission of their families.
