Police in Florida announced Friday that they found the body of 13-year-old Madeline Soto, less than a week after she failed to show up for school in Kissimmee, Florida.

After a four-day search, the local sheriff’s office said it was “convinced” she was dead. The gruesome discovery was made several hours later.

Her mother’s boyfriend, Stephan Sterns, is the main suspect and is in police custody for sexual assault and possession of child sexual abuse material.

Here’s everything we know so far about the Madeline Soto case.

When did Madeline Soto disappear?

13-year-old Madeline Soto was reported missing around 8:30 a.m. on Monday, February 26.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) said she was last seen walking to school near Village Park Drive in Kissimmee, near Orlando.

Madeline was described as white, 5’1″ tall, with blonde hair and blue eyes. She was wearing a green sweatshirt, black shorts and white Crocs.

Her mother’s boyfriend, Stephan Sterns, claimed he dropped her off near Hunter’s Creek Middle School, but not before.

However, the girl never showed up for class. Her mother only noticed Madeline’s absence when she went to pick her up from school later that day.

More than 50 police officers searched for Madeline in a nearby forest in the days after she disappeared. Officers had found messages on her phone in which she said she wanted to live in the forest when she was 13.

Body of Madeline Soto discovered

On Friday, March 1, OCSO said they now believe Madeline was never dropped off near the school on Monday morning and that she was already dead by that time.

Sheriff John Mina said he met with Madeline’s mother Thursday night to tell her he was “convinced” her daughter was dead and that his officers were now searching for her body.

The sheriff explained that the OCSO has video evidence showing Mr. Sterns throwing items into a dumpster behind her residence at approximately 7:35 a.m. Those items included the teenager’s backpack and her school-issued laptop.

“At 8:19 a.m. we have evidence that shows Stephan Sterns returned to the complex and Madeline was seen in that vehicle. We believe she was already dead at that time,” the sheriff said.

On Friday afternoon, the sheriff’s office confirmed that her body had been found in a wooded area in Osceola County.

“At approximately 4:30 p.m. today, search crews from the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office located the body of Madeline Soto in a wooded area off Hickory Tree Road. Madeline’s family has been notified,” the office said in a statement.

“We do not have any additional information to release at this time. The Kissimmee Police Department is the lead agency in this homicide investigation. This work is ongoing.”

The mother’s boyfriend is the main suspect

On Wednesday, February 28, the OCSO announced that it had arrested Mr. Sterns after discovering “disturbing images” on his phone that he had attempted to delete. These photos and videos were “criminal and sexual in nature,” the office said.

The office released a video of the suspect in handcuffs.

At Friday’s press conference, Sheriff Mina said investigators are convinced Mr. Sterns threw away Madeline’s belongings before removing her body, rather than taking her to school as he had originally claimed.

Kissimmee police have taken Mr. Sterns into custody on charges of sexual assault and possession of child sexual abuse material.

Kissimmee Police released photos of Mr. Stern’s car, which he was driving in the area of ​​State Road 192 and Old Hickory Tree Road between 1:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. on February 26. It is believed he had a flat tire at the time.

Madeline’s mother is not currently considered a suspect.

Honors for Madeline

In a statement released Friday afternoon, Dr. Maria Vazquez, superintendent of Orange County Public Schools, paid tribute to her “precious student.”

“My thoughts and prayers are with Maddie’s family and her school community,” said Dr. Vazquez. “Losing a child so suddenly and tragically is extremely difficult, especially for family and friends.”

“Counselors remain available to assist all students and staff dealing with the news. I ask that you keep the entire Hunter’s Creek Middle School community in your prayers as they mourn the loss of one of their family members.”

A vigil took place on Friday evening.