New Doctor To Evaluate Mom For Trial In Missing Hoggle Kids Case

ROCKVILLE, MD — Catherine Hoggle — the mother indicted for the murder of her two children who have been missing for nearly five years — may be evaluated by a new doctor to see if she is mentally competent to stand trial, a judge ruled on July 3. The 32-year-old was indicted on murder charges in 2017 and is believed to be the last person to see her children, Sarah and Jacob Hoggle. The youngsters were 2 and 3, respectively, when they disappeared in September of 2014.

Since their disappearance, Hoggle has been held for treatment at Clifton T. Perkins Hospital in Jessup. Doctors treating Hoggle at the state's psychiatric facility have repeatedly determined that she is "not competent, dangerous, but restorable." Until she can face trial, a judge will not allow Hoggle to be interrogated about the fate of her children.

Prosecutors have repeatedly asked Montgomery County Circuit Court Judge Robert Greenberg to allow a doctor of their choosing to evaluate Hoggle's mental state. And on Wednesday, Greenberg agreed it's time for other experts to become involved.

“After nearly five years, it may be time to have another set of eyes,” and “another evaluation can only assist the court in determining competence,” Greenberg said, according to WTOP. “The public has a strong interest in seeing this case go to trial,” and “this is not a run-of-the-mill case, since it involves the murder of two small children.”

Troy Turner — Hoggle's estranged partner and the father of Sarah and Jacob — and state prosecutors believe Hoggle is malingering so she can avoid trial on the felony charges. "If true mental illness kept people from going to trial, anyone who committed a crime wouldn't be in prison," Turner said previously.

Jacob was last seen with his mother on Sept. 7, 2014, in Darnestown or Clarksburg; Sarah was last seen with Hoggle on the morning of Sept. 8, 2014. Hoggle's family says she is paranoid and was making plans to leave the area, so she gave the young children to someone for safekeeping. On Sept. 12, 2014, Hoggle was found and arrested in Germantown.

Jacob's 7th birthday would be July 3. The children's bodies have never been found.

“Looking at the woman who murdered my children, I guess in some ways this is a birthday gift for him," Turner told WTOP.

Maryland law says the judge determines if a person is competent to stand trial.

Greenberg said Wednesday he has concerns about the family's allegations that Hoggle is malingering, and tests to measure whether somebody was feigning mental illness had not been administered.

Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy has retained psychiatrist Christiane Tellefsen to offer a second opinion on Hoggle's mental state. No trial date has been set.

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Family members ask anyone in the Clarksburg area who may have seen Sarah and Jacob to message the Facebook page, call or text (301) 549-9044 or submit a tip on the website www.findsarahfindjacob.com. Tips can be made anonymously.