Family Clings to Hope as Missing Boy's Third Birthday Passes

A little boy’s third birthday passed without celebration Friday as his father and other relatives continued their public pleas to help find the toddler and his sister, missing from Montgomery County for 10 months.

Jacob Hoggle, now 3, and Sarah Hoggle, 4, have not been seen since early September 2014. Their mentally ill mother, Catherine Hoggle, was with them last and refuses to tell the children’s father, her mother, or police, where the children are.

Those family members remain steadfast in their belief that the children are alive, while police are not optimistic about the youngsters’ fate.

Catherine Hoggle – a schizophrenic who reportedly refused to stay on her medication -- remains in the Clifton T. Perkins Hospital Center. She says the children are safe, but has not given any information on their whereabouts. Her mother says Catherine wanted to escape from a possible involuntary commitment to such a facility, so she took the children as part of that plan to leave.

Friday on the FindSarahFindJacob Facebook page set up by the children’s grandmother, Lindsey Hoggle, the family noted Jacob’s third birthday.

“Remember to smile because he always does, share because we believe they are with someone, and stay aware because it takes a village,” she posted. “Thank you to those who continue to be positive.”

In response to questions from Facebook followers about who might have the children and why nobody has disclosed their whereabouts, Lindsey Hoggle said, “The family continues to utilize all aspects of investigation as we believe they are with someone. Catherine has struggled with a mental condition, for which no one would choose if given the opportunity. We remain hopeful and appreciate your prayers.”

Another fruitless search for the missing Hoggle siblings was mounted by family and friends last month, based out of the Germantown Community Center.

»SEE ALSO: Mother of Missing Hoggle Kids Faces Two Trials

Catherine Hoggle is charged with child neglect in the disappearance of her two children and faces two rounds of legal battles this summer: a criminal trial and a civil fight with the children’s father.

She is scheduled to go to trial July 8 on charges of child neglect and obstructing and hindering an investigation in connection with the disappearance of the youngsters, reports Montgomery Community Media.

The children’s father, Troy Turner, who is Hoggle’s common-law husband, is seeking to be appointed her legal guardian. Hoggle’s attorney has filed to dismiss the case, says MCM, but an Aug. 6 trial is scheduled in that matter.

There are two theories on the fate of the children. Turner and Lindsey Hoggle believe Catherine gave the youngsters to someone to care for them. Montgomery County Police say they believe the children are dead, although no bodies have been found.

Related Stories:

• Missing Hoggle Kids Are Not Dead: Family
• Massive Search for Missing Hoggle Kids Yields Nothing
• Gone Without a Trace: Hoggle Siblings Missing for 6 Months

In a Facebook post early in June, the Hoggle family said: “Sarah (age 4) and Jacob (age 2 1/2) have been missing 9 months today. Their mother continues to state that they are with someone. There is no evidence or proof to believe otherwise - so we will continue to consider them MISSING. Please keep in mind they may look differently and be anywhere in or outside of Maryland. Thank you for continued diligence! We will find them.”

Sightings of Missing Kids?

There was a “possible sighting of the siblings on March 12 at Potomac Mills Outlet area in Woodbridge, VA. Both children were reportedly seen around 8 p.m. that day, the family said on the FindSarahFindJacob Facebook page.

The family says it considers most tips credible until proven otherwise.

In December, Montgomery County Police concluded that video from a New Jersey rest stop reputedly showing the missing children at the Joyce Kilmer Service Area off the New Jersey Turnpike near New Brunswick was not the Hoggle siblings.

Catherine Hoggle was again in court in May to evaluate her mental state as tje trial date approaches. A report from the hospital where Hoggle is being treated for mental illness, said she has made “some improvement” but is still incompetent to stand trial, reports Montgomery Community Media.

State’s Attorney John McCarthy told reporters his office will likely file additional charges against Hoggle and may use a grand jury to accomplish that.

Renewed Search Efforts

More than 100 searchers from Maryland and Virginia police agencies, along with dog teams and officers using sonar searched hundreds of acres in April during what turned out to be a fruitless attempt to locate the children.

Montgomery County Police say the search was not based on any new investigative leads, but is part of the continued effort to locate the siblings.

Authorities focused their efforts on areas in Darnestown, Boyds, and Clarksburg, and asked residents in those areas to again search their property for any sign of Jacob and Sarah.

Related Stories

• Police to Review Video in Purported NJ Sighting of Hoggle Children
• Father of Missing Kids: ‘I Miss Them More Every Day’
• Mother of Missing Children Declared Incompetent to Stand Trial
• Search for Missing Toddlers Passes Two-Month Mark; Family Begs for Answers
• Judge Won’t Allow Mom of Missing Toddlers to Go with Police

»PHOTOS: Jacob and Sarah Hoggle, courtesy of FindSarahFindJacob Facebook page