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NEWS RELEASE: UPGRADE IN CHARGES FOR TWO ACCUSED OF FIRST-DEGREE MURDER OF A 12-YEAR-OLD
The Chester County District Attorney’s Office announces additional charges related to the death of 12-year-old Malinda Hoagland. Malinda’s father, Rendell Hoagland, 52, and her de facto stepmother, Cindy Warren, 45, of West Caln Township, Pennsylvania, have now been charged with Murder of the First Degree, Murder of the Second Degree, Murder of the Third Degree, Involuntary Servitude, and other additional charges (these Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty). The Defendants, who were initially arrested by Chester County Detectives on May 6, 2024, are still being held at the Chester County Prison. Given the nature of the upgraded charges, they are held without bail. The District Attorney’s Office intends to pursue the death penalty.
Chester County District Attorney Christopher L. de Barrena-Sarobe said, “Information from the Coroner’s Office and medical experts demonstrates a years-long pattern of extensive torture and abuse. Moreover, text messages and hundreds of videos show that the Defendants engaged in a calculated and systematic method of terrorizing, manipulating, and dehumanizing Malinda. We will get justice for Malinda.”
The newest criminal complaint filed by the Chester County Detectives details that on May 4, 2024, Malinda Hoagland, a 12-year-old child, was transported and admitted to Paoli Hospital’s Trauma Unit. The 911 caller was Defendant Rendell Hoagland, who reported that Malinda struck a tree while riding her bicycle at approximately 12:30 a.m. on May 4, 2024. Initial observations by both EMS personnel at the scene and medical staff at the hospital noted that the child was severely emaciated and had numerous injuries all over her body. Ultimately, Malinda died while in surgery at approximately 9:58 p.m. The Chester County Detectives investigation that followed, uncovered years of systematic abuse and torture of Malinda.
A Forensic Pathologist conducted an autopsy of Malinda’s body and found that Malinda died due to starvation and multiple blunt force injuries. Malinda weighed 50 pounds at the time of her death, and sustained approximately 75 individually identified bruises, contusions, ulcers, and pressure sores throughout her body.
Evidence obtained through search warrants revealed hundreds of videos and still images on the Defendants’ cellphones and Blink Security Cameras. The videos depict Malinda shackled to furniture, enduring physical abuse, and being subjected to forced stress positions and physical punishment. These videos also show Malinda was often ankle cuffed to furniture and verbally berated by the Defendants through an in-camera speaker while they were not physically present. Text messages and conversations between the Defendants establish that Malinda was punished for infractions like forgetting chores or schoolwork, “stealing” food, not smiling during school sessions over Zoom, and urinating herself while cuffed to furniture.
The Defendants often texted about concealing injuries from concerned family members and mandated reporters. Malinda was removed from in-person schooling in November of 2023. School records establish that Malinda had approximately 25 unexcused absences in 2023, and an additional 10 excused absences. After being pulled from school at the end of 2023, Malinda attended a cyber school. There is no indication that either school failed to meet legal requirements to report abuse—in fact, there is evidence that teachers at both schools often checked in with Malinda.
The Chester County Detectives are the lead investigating agency. First Assistant District Attorney Erin O’Brien is the assigned prosecutor. Please remember, if you have concerns about the safety of a child, you should say something. Call 911. Call Childline at 1-800-932-0313. Childline reports can be anonymous. If you have information about this case, contact the Chester County Detectives at 610-344-6866.
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