Madeline Soto case: Stephan Sterns gets life in prison, avoids death in Florida girl's murder
Editor's note: Our live coverage of Stephan Sterns plea hearing has concluded. Scroll down to view highlights from Monday's court hearing.
Editor's note: Our live coverage of Stephan Sterns plea hearing has concluded. Scroll down to view highlights from Monday's court hearing.
Stephan Sterns talks during sentencing
Stephan Sterns was found guilty of first-degree murder and sexual battery, among other charges, in the death of 13-year-old Madeline Soto on Monday, July 21. Sterns pleaded no contest to murder and guilty to sexual battery after reaching a plea agreement with prosecutors. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. As part of the plea agreement, prosecutors took the death penalty off the table.
Stephan Sterns was found guilty of first-degree murder and sexual battery, among other charges, in the death of 13-year-old Madeline Soto on Monday, July 21. Sterns pleaded no contest to murder and guilty to sexual battery after reaching a plea agreement with prosecutors. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. As part of the plea agreement, prosecutors took the death penalty off the table.
Back-to-school shopping starts earlier as parents try to beat tariffs
Back-to-school shopping is starting earlier than ever as families try to get ahead of rising prices driven by tariffs and inflation.
Back-to-school shopping is starting earlier than ever as families try to get ahead of rising prices driven by tariffs and inflation.
Madeline Soto's aunt remembers Florida girl
Letizia Nunez, Madeline Soto's aunt, remembered the 13-year-old Florida girl at court on Monday. Stephan Sterns pleaded no contest to first-degree murder and guilty to sexual battery. The plea hearing was scheduled a day before Sterns was set to go to trial on 60 counts of sexual abuse.
Letizia Nunez, Madeline Soto's aunt, remembered the 13-year-old Florida girl at court on Monday. Stephan Sterns pleaded no contest to first-degree murder and guilty to sexual battery. The plea hearing was scheduled a day before Sterns was set to go to trial on 60 counts of sexual abuse.
Over 5.2 million pools recalled in US, Canada after 9 reported deaths
Over 5.2 million aboveground pools sold in the U.S. and Canada since 2002 are being recalled after nine child drownings.
Over 5.2 million aboveground pools sold in the U.S. and Canada since 2002 are being recalled after nine child drownings.
Dog the Bounty Hunter’s stepson accidentally shoots, kills 13-year-old son
Authorities say the shooting incident occurred at a Florida apartment on Saturday night.
Authorities say the shooting incident occurred at a Florida apartment on Saturday night.
More than 67,000 cases of deodorant sold at Dollar Tree, Amazon and other stores recalled
The deodorant recall was prompted by an undisclosed manufacturing issue.
The deodorant recall was prompted by an undisclosed manufacturing issue.
Florida man arrested after driving 155 mph on I-4, troopers say
Troopers said he had three passengers in his vehicle at the time of his arrest.
Troopers said he had three passengers in his vehicle at the time of his arrest.
Backstreet Boy suing sheriff to force them to keep trespassers off his private beach
Brian Littrell is suing the Walton County Sheriff's Office in Florida to force them to keep trespassers off his private beach.
Brian Littrell is suing the Walton County Sheriff's Office in Florida to force them to keep trespassers off his private beach.
Florida surfer recovering after shark attack: 'Had my foot in its mouth for a good little bit'
An 18-year-old surf instructor is recovering in the hospital after a shark bit his foot while he was surfing off New Smyrna Beach, an area often dubbed the shark bite capital of the world.
An 18-year-old surf instructor is recovering in the hospital after a shark bit his foot while he was surfing off New Smyrna Beach, an area often dubbed the shark bite capital of the world.
Universal Orlando Halloween Horror Nights 2025 unveiled: Everything we know about HHN34
Universal Orlando is raising the stakes for its 34th edition of Halloween Horror Nights, promising more terror than ever with a lineup of haunted houses, scare zones and live entertainment beginning Aug. 29 and running select nights through Nov. 2.
Universal Orlando is raising the stakes for its 34th edition of Halloween Horror Nights, promising more terror than ever with a lineup of haunted houses, scare zones and live entertainment beginning Aug. 29 and running select nights through Nov. 2.
Forecasters watching 2 areas of tropical moisture with potential for development: Will Florida feel impacts?
Florida could feel impacts from an area of tropical moisture that includes remnants of the same system that dumped rain over the state last weekend. Forecasters are also watching another developing tropical wave in the distant Atlantic Ocean.
Florida could feel impacts from an area of tropical moisture that includes remnants of the same system that dumped rain over the state last weekend. Forecasters are also watching another developing tropical wave in the distant Atlantic Ocean.
CEO of Astronomer resigns after viral Coldplay concert scandal
Andy Byron has resigned as CEO of Astronomer after a viral Coldplay concert clip showed him with the company’s HR chief, sparking affair rumors.
Andy Byron has resigned as CEO of Astronomer after a viral Coldplay concert clip showed him with the company’s HR chief, sparking affair rumors.
GENIUS Act: Trump signs stablecoin bill into law
President Trump signed the GENIUS Act on stablecoins into law, a major milestone for the crypto industry.
President Trump signed the GENIUS Act on stablecoins into law, a major milestone for the crypto industry.
Small plane makes emergency landing on SR-44 near New Smyrna Beach, officials say
A small, single-engine aircraft made an emergency landing on State Road 44 near Taganana Drive in New Smyrna Beach on Saturday morning, officials said.
A small, single-engine aircraft made an emergency landing on State Road 44 near Taganana Drive in New Smyrna Beach on Saturday morning, officials said.
EPA’s research and development office eliminated; thousands laid off
The Environmental Protection Agency said Friday it is eliminating its research and development arm and reducing agency staff by thousands of employees.
The Environmental Protection Agency said Friday it is eliminating its research and development arm and reducing agency staff by thousands of employees.
Mother holds vigil by son’s side after near-fatal crash in Windermere, 5 weeks in ICU
Nearly five weeks after a devastating car crash left a teenage boy in the ICU with a traumatic brain injury, his mother says a string of small miracles has given her family new hope.
Nearly five weeks after a devastating car crash left a teenage boy in the ICU with a traumatic brain injury, his mother says a string of small miracles has given her family new hope.
President Trump denies alleged Epstein ties in WSJ Report
Former President Donald Trump said he "absolutely loved" that federal prosecutors are seeking to unseal grand jury transcripts related to Jeffrey Epstein's 2019 sex trafficking case, even as he filed a lawsuit over a Wall Street Journal article linking him to the disgraced financier.
Former President Donald Trump said he "absolutely loved" that federal prosecutors are seeking to unseal grand jury transcripts related to Jeffrey Epstein's 2019 sex trafficking case, even as he filed a lawsuit over a Wall Street Journal article linking him to the disgraced financier.
Victims of alleged pool scam begin to see results after months-long investigation
After more than a year of waiting, victims of a Flagler County pool company accused of defrauding customers are finally seeing progress, though many say the fight isn’t over.
After more than a year of waiting, victims of a Flagler County pool company accused of defrauding customers are finally seeing progress, though many say the fight isn’t over.
Charges dropped against Florida sushi restaurant owners in alleged gift card scam
A Florida couple who owns a popular sushi restaurant is no longer facing charges in connection to a nationwide gift card scam targeting senior citizens.
A Florida couple who owns a popular sushi restaurant is no longer facing charges in connection to a nationwide gift card scam targeting senior citizens.