WEST CALN TOWNSHIP, Pa. — The Chester County District Attorney’s Office has announced additional charges against Rendell Hoagland, 52, and Cindy Warren, 45, related to the death of 12-year-old Malinda Hoagland. The defendants now face charges of Murder of the First Degree, Murder of the Second Degree, Murder of the Third Degree, Involuntary Servitude, and other related offenses. The DA’s office has indicated its intent to pursue the death penalty.
Chester County District Attorney Christopher L. de Barrena-Sarobe stated, “Information from the Coroner’s Office and medical experts demonstrates a years-long pattern of extensive torture and abuse.
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 defendants were initially arrested on May 6, 2024, following an incident where Malinda was transported to Paoli Hospital’s Trauma Unit on May 4, 2024. Rendell Hoagland had reported that Malinda struck a tree while riding her bicycle at approximately 12:30 a.m. However, EMS personnel and medical staff noted that Malinda was severely emaciated and covered in numerous injuries. She died during surgery later that evening.
The investigation revealed that Malinda died from starvation and multiple blunt force injuries, weighing only 50 pounds at the time of her death, with approximately 75 identifiable injuries on her body. Evidence obtained through search warrants included videos and images depicting Malinda shackled to furniture, physically abused, and subjected to forced stress positions and punishment.
Text messages and conversations between the defendants showed that Malinda was often punished for minor infractions such as forgetting chores, “stealing” food, not smiling during online school sessions, and urinating herself while cuffed to furniture. The defendants also discussed concealing Malinda’s injuries from family members and mandated reporters.
Malinda had been removed from in-person schooling in November 2023 and transitioned to a cyber school, where she continued to receive education. School records indicate numerous absences, both excused and unexcused, during 2023.
The Chester County DA’s office is committed to seeking justice for Malinda and encourages anyone with additional information to come forward.
