Episode 360
- Jul 21, 2026
- 58:39
- Full Episode
13-year-old Madeline Soto vanishes on what should have been an ordinary school morning in Kissimmee, Florida. She’s dropped off just a block away, and nothing about it feels unusual. She walks off, heading toward school… and disappears. By the afternoon, panic sets in. Calls to 911 reveal a family scrambling for answers: rechecking routes, calling friends, waiting for help that isn’t coming fast enough. She never made it to class. No one saw her arrive. Beneath the family’s lies, it’s a race against the clock to find Maddie.<br /><br />Get instant access to all episodes, including premium unreleased episodes, commercial-free at swordandscale.com
Brief Summary
Madeline Soto, 13, disappears in Kissimmee, leading to a disturbing investigation of her mother's boyfriend, Stefan Stearns.
Key points
- The Missing Child Epidemic. Nearly 1,000 children are reported missing in the U.S. every day, highlighting a national crisis.
- Maddie Soto's Disappearance. Maddie Soto, just 13, vanished after being dropped off for school. Her family faced a race against time to find her.
- Maddie's Last Morning. On February 26, 2024, Maddie was dropped off near school but never made it inside.
- The Shocking Discovery. Surveillance footage reveals Maddie's lifeless body in the passenger seat of Stefan's car.
- The Morning of Disappearance. Maddie Soto disappears on her 13th birthday, leading to a frantic search.
- Stefan's Inconsistent Timeline. Investigators uncover gaps in Stefan's story, raising suspicions about his involvement.
Episode highlights
- The Missing Child EpidemicNearly 1,000 children are reported missing in the U.S. every day, highlighting a national crisis.“Think about that for just a sec.”9:00Jul 21, 2026
- Maddie Soto's DisappearanceMaddie Soto, just 13, vanished after being dropped off for school. Her family faced a race against time to find her.“This was serious and urgent.”9:19Jul 21, 2026
- Maddie's Last MorningOn February 26, 2024, Maddie was dropped off near school but never made it inside.“She had vanished.”17:02Jul 21, 2026
- The Shocking DiscoverySurveillance footage reveals Maddie's lifeless body in the passenger seat of Stefan's car.“She wasn't sleeping. She was already dead.”42:09Jul 21, 2026
- The Morning of DisappearanceMaddie Soto disappears on her 13th birthday, leading to a frantic search.“Instead, she disappeared and never made it to school.”43:16Jul 21, 2026
- Stefan's Inconsistent TimelineInvestigators uncover gaps in Stefan's story, raising suspicions about his involvement.“The timeline shifted. The details changed.”43:40Jul 21, 2026
- The Confusion of a ParentStefan's father struggles to understand his son's actions and whereabouts.“Stefan had been living with his parents for a few months after another breakup with Jennifer.”50:34Jul 21, 2026
- The Incriminating PhoneDetectives discover disturbing evidence on Stephan's phone, revealing a history of abuse.“They found graphic pictures and videos of him sexually abusing 13-year-old Matty Soto.”53:54Jul 21, 2026
