12-Year-Old Chesco Girl Suffered 'Evil And Torment' Before Death: DA

WEST CALN, PA — A Chester County father and his romantic partner have been charged in the months-long torture and death of the man's 12-year-old daughter in what authorities have called a horrific case of child abuse.

The child, Malinda Hoagland, was pulled out of public school in late Nov. 2023 and shifted to a home cyber school.

In the several months that followed, Rendell Hoagland, 52, and Cindy Warren, 45, severely abused and starved her inside their home on the 200 block of Reid Road in West Caln, the District Attorney's Office said.

Dozens of videos found on both Hoagland's and Warren's phones showed that they ankle-cuffed Malinda to furniture, verbally berated her through an in-camera speaker system, demanded physical strenuous exercise like squats and running in place, and denied her meals for various perceived slights, police said.

On May 4, at around 7:28 p.m., Rendell Hoagland called 911 after Malinda passed out. Medics immediately noticed that many things were "gravely wrong," with Malinda, the DA said, including that she was severely malnourished and had several broken bones. She weighed only 50 pounds, was covered in bruises, and was suffering from severe organ failure, police said.

She was taken to Paoli Hospital Trauma Center where she died at 9:58 p.m.

"Malinda was subjected to evil and torment that no child should ever have to endure," Chester County District Attorney Christopher L. de Barrena-Sarobe said in a statement. "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."

Hoagland and Warren were arrested on May 6 and charged with attempted criminal homicide, kidnapping, and aggravated assault. Murder charges could be filed when more medical evidence becomes available, the DA said.

Anyone with information on the case should call Chester County Detectives at 610-344-6866.

Authorities reminded residents in a statement that if they ever have concerns about child safety, they should call Childline at 1-800-932-0313. Reports can be anonymous.