KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Stephan Michael Sterns, indicted by a grand jury Wednesday on first-degree murder charges in the death of 13-year-old Madeline Soto, chose to waive his right to a first appearance before an Osceola County judge Thursday.

He also waived the reading of the charges. A public defender represented him before the judge Thursday. 

Sterns is being held without bond. Arraignment in the Soto case is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on April 29.

Sterns, 37, is already in jail facing dozens of charges of sexual battery on a child, molestation and possession of child pornography.

Sterns was arrested on those charges days after the teenager went missing on Feb. 26. Her body was found in a wooded area of Osceola County on March 1.

Orange County investigators initially identified Sterns as the boyfriend of Soto’s mother, but the arrest warrant from the Kissimmee Police Department stated she identified him as the girl’s stepfather. No information was immediately available to clarify if Sterns was indeed married to Soto’s mother at the time of the girl’s death.

Investigators said that this has been a lengthy process in preparation for a grand jury to hear the case.

During a press briefing on Wednesday, State Attorney Andrew Bain said this case will now move forward after a grand jury agreed that investigators had enough evidence to officially charge Sterns with first-degree murder, on top of the other counts of child sexual battery-related charges.

Sterns was charged with 60 additional counts:

• Eight counts of sexual battery on a child under 12
• Five counts of sexual battery of a child aged 12-18
• Seven counts of lewd and lascivious molestation
• 40 counts of unlawful possession of 10 or more images depicting a sexual performance by a child

Madeline Soto was 13 years old, when authorities say, she was murdered. (Osceola County Sheriff's Office)

Sterns is believed to be the last person to see Soto before her disappearance as officials said he was supposed to drop her off at school that day.

“The evidence shows an individual that was entrusted to keep Madeline safe, made calculated moves to disposed Madeline’s belongings and place her body in a wooded area before she was ever reported missing,” Kissimmee Police Department Chief Betty Holland explained.  

Officials said although an indictment has been returned, this is still an ongoing investigation.

Just last year, Florida House Bill 1297 was approved by the Senate and sent to the governor’s desk. The law would allow for the death penalty for people who commit sexual batteries against children under the age of 12.

Bain said on Wednesday that it has not been decided at this time if officials will seek the death penalty in this case.