Pa. father, girlfriend allegedly shackled 12-year-old to furniture and starved her to death
05/08/2024 12:33 pm PDT
WEST CALN TOWNSHIP, Pa. (TCD) -- A 52-year-old father and his 45-year-old girlfriend face charges in connection with a young girl's death after allegedly forcing her to do extreme exercises and withholding food.
According to the Chester County District Attorney's Office, on May 4, shortly before 7:30 p.m., West Caln Township Police and the Westwood Fire Company Ambulance responded to a home on Reid Road after Rendell Hoagland told authorities his 12-year-old daughter, Malinda Hoagland, was unresponsive. Officials transported the child to Paoli Hospital Trauma Center, where medical staff determined there was "something gravely wrong" with her.
According to prosecutors, Malinda Hoagland weighed only 50 pounds, was covered in bruises, had multiple broken bones, and failing organs. She died that night just before 10 p.m.
According to the district attorney's office, Malinda Hoagland was pulled out of public school in late November and early December 2023 and transitioned to a "home cyber school."
Investigators obtained cell phone evidence from Rendell Hoagland and his girlfriend, Cindy Warren, and saw that Warren erased many text messages with her boyfriend. Officials also reportedly found video footage from the couple's home camera system, which showed Malinda Hoagland's ankle handcuffed to furniture.
According to prosecutors, Rendell Hoagland and Warren verbally abused the young girl and punished her by "demanding strenuous physical exercise, such as squats." The couple also allegedly made Malinda Hoagland run "in place while still shackled."
The district attorney's office alleges Warren and Rendell Hoagland withheld meals from the victim as punishment. Prosecutors said the video footage of the alleged abuse dates back several months.
According to WCAU-TV, Warren's 9-year-old son was in the residence at the time, but he was unharmed.
Hoagland and Rendell Warren were arrested on May 6 on charges of attempted criminal homicide, aggravated assault, kidnapping, and other related offenses. A judge set their bail at $1 million. Additional charges are possible, including murder, as investigators gather more evidence.
Chester County District Attorney Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe said, "Malinda was subjected to evil and torment that no child should ever have to endure. I am grateful to every first responder and law enforcement officer who has worked tirelessly on this case. Together we will get justice for Malinda."
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