The tragic case of Madeline Soto's death has seen a new development. The Osceola County investigators have released jailhouse phone calls between Stephan Sterns, the accused murderer of the 13-year-old, and his parents. In a series of conversations obtained in May, Sterns discusses the charges against him, including first-degree murder.

According to the details shared by WFTV, the suspect is behind bars since Madeline's body was found in rural Osceola County on March 1, five days after she was reported missing. Further to this, Sterns, who had been dating Madeline's mother, expressed his astonishment over the murder charge to his father, "Yeah, obviously, you know, it's not true. You know, I never would have wanted her gone for any reason. So, you know, premeditated first degree is kind of, kind of a kick, punch," Sterns is quoted during the phone call, as per WESH.

The recordings not only shed light on Sterns' reaction to the charges but also reveal the family dynamics in the wake of the arrest. "I didn't start it," Sterns stated in the recording. Sterns' father, grappling to make sense of the situation, retorts, "You didn't start it, but you participated in it, which is just as bad not starting it," according to a WESH.

Adding to the gravity of the case, the State Attorney's office has put forward evidence indicating Sterns' involvement in sexual assault against Madeline dating back to when she was just eight years old. His indictment back in March showcased a total of 60 charges related to sexual battery on a child and possessing materials depicting sexual performance by a child, with the murder charge coming subsequently.