Law enforcement released audio of their interviews with roommates who lived with Madeline Soto and her mother, Jennifer.
One who had a teenage son said she spoke with Jennifer more about their children than about Sterns. Jennifer shared more of the issues of Sterns not bringing money into the house, not being able to hold a job, and the mental issues he had that led to all that when he lived at the Kissimmee townhouse.
“When he did work, he’d spent money on stupid (stuff),” the roommate said. She also noted Madeline referred to Sterns “like a father figure”.
“I say that heavy hearted now. There wasn’t ever a moment where I thought he would hurt her … or there’d be anything inappropriate,” the roommate said. “I don’t bring anyone like that around my son. Thinking about it makes me feel stupid … I wish I had paid more attention. I feel guilt, like I didn’t pay attention to what was going on … I prided myself on being that third eye to protect our kids.”
She said she didn’t know anything about sleeping arrangements between Jenn, Madeline and Stephan, and that Jenn never said anything about suspecting Stephan was sexually abusing Madeline. She said “It was impossible” that Jennifer had anything to do with Madeline’s murder. “I can’t see her being okay with this, or allowing this to happen.”
The only time she said she saw Madeline and Stephan together was when they were in his upstairs room together playing video games. She said she texted Jennifer if it was okay, and Jennifer replied, “It’s all good.”
A second roommate said she heard noise coming from the guest bedroom next to hers the night of Feb. 25, but thought it was Sterns. The following morning around 10:30 he was present, and she said, “There was something odd about him, the way he was moving around the house.” In a separate interview, that roommate noted Sterns “Looked nervous” that morning.
