ORLANDO, Fla. — It has been two weeks since the body of 13-year-old Madeline Soto was found in Osceola County, but while investigators have identified a primary suspect, there have not been any charges filed in connection with her death.

Madeline’s mother’s boyfriend, 37-year-old Stephan Sterns, was identified as a suspect in the case.

Currently, he is being held at the Osceola County Jail on multiple charges of sexual battery of a child under 12, sexual battery of a child aged 12 to 18, lewd and lascivious molestation and unlawful possession of materials depicting sexual performance by a child.

Defense attorneys Neil McShane and Mark Longwell are both former state attorneys in Orange and Osceola counties, which is the same circuit Sterns will likely be tried in.

Both believe any potential trial for Sterns could ultimately get pushed back due to the ongoing investigation into Soto's death.

“Likely, between now and that date, new charges will be added,” Longwell said. “I am not privy to the evidence but, I suspect right now, the prosecutors are piecing together the next level of charges, which would have to do with the homicide.”

Longwell said if those charges did come, then it’s possible a separate trial could be held.

He said those delays or potential future charges all could be clinging to the state’s key piece of evidence: Stephan Stern’s cell phone.

“The phone is an evidence treasure trove for prosecutors and the police,” Longwell said.

The state filed charges for images found on Sterns’ phone, but Longwell believes it can provide even more for the investigation.

“Geolocation information, and other evidence, maybe other communications,” he said. “They may have subpoena’s out pending to social media companies. They are looking for DNA evidence, medical examiners evidence, (there) may be electronic cameras in the area. 

“It sounds like everything is on his phone,” McSchane, of McShane & McShane Law firm, said. “Which brings up a huge legal issue: Whether they secured that evidence appropriately or had a search warrant or not.”

The Kissimmee Police arrest affidavit for Sterns says, “during the interview with Stephan, he provided consent to search his phone.”

“If someone gives it over, there are a lot of questions,” Longwell said. “It’s one thing with representations in police reports is one perspective. There’s the perspective of the person who consented or gave over a phone during an interrogation can be completely different.”