Madeleine Soto’s mother allegedly told police she knew boyfriend ‘groomed and abused’ teen: police

According to authorities, the mother of 13-year-old Madeline Soto told police she knew her boyfriend sexually abused the teen before he killed her.

Jennifer Soto allegedly told police during an interview that she knew her boyfriend, 37-year-old Stephan Sterns, was “grooming and abusing” Madeline, FOX 35, WFTV and Click Orlando report, citing a recently released supplemental report from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

Madeline was reported missing from her Kissimmee, Florida, home on February 26, leading to Sterns’ arrest on unrelated charges of possession of child abuse material, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said at the time. Her body was found in a wooded area on March 1.

During their investigation, authorities spoke with Jennifer, who reportedly said she believed Sterns was “guilty” because he “groomed and abused my child,” authorities allege in the supplemental report, per FOX 35, WFTV and Click Orlando.

At the same time, authorities allege in the supplemental report that Jennifer protected Sterns and prioritized him over her daughter, the Orlando SentinelWESH and Click Orlando.

In the additional According to authorities, Jennifer told media outlets that Stern’s alleged sexual abuse was not “malicious,” though she acknowledged that her daughter’s murder was “malicious.”

Authorities allege that despite knowing about his abuse, Jennifer sent Madeline to the same room as Sterns the night before the child disappeared, according to the supplemental case report, WESH reports. She reportedly told police she did so because she had had a long day at work and needed rest.

The next morning, Sterns was captured on unspecified video throwing items into a trash can on the property where he lived with Jennifer and Madeline, Orange County Sheriff John Mina said, Click Orlando reports. Police later recovered Madeline’s backpack and laptop from the trash.

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Madeline died of strangulation, a coroner later ruled, according to FOX 35 Orlando, WESH and Click Orlando.

Sterns was charged in April with first-degree murder in connection with Madeline’s death, according to Osceola County, Florida, court documents viewed by PEOPLE.

It was not immediately clear whether Sterns has entered a plea to the murder charge. He has pleaded not guilty to 60 counts of sexual abuse, according to the Osceola News-Gazette. PEOPLE could not immediately reach his attorney.

If you or someone you know is a victim of sexual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741. You will be connected to a certified crisis counselor.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or visit www.childhelp.org. All calls are free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.