Pa. girl, 12, was shackled to furniture, weighed only 50 pounds before death: Prosecutors
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WEST CALN TOWNSHIP, Pa. (WJW) – A Pennsylvania father and his girlfriend were arrested this week for the death of a 12-year-old girl, who prosecutors say was tortured and starved at their home.
Chester County detectives arrested 52-year-old Rendell Hoagland and 45-year-old Cindy Warren on Monday.
They’re charged with attempted criminal homicide, aggravated assault and kidnapping, according to a release from the Chester County District Attorney’s Office.
West Caln Township police officers responded to the 200 Block of Reid Road Saturday evening after a 911 caller said his 12-year-old daughter was unconscious, investigators say.
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When first responders arrived, they noticed that the child, Malinda Hoagland, was unresponsive, prosecutors said.
Malinda was taken to Paoli Hospital Trauma center, where medical staff noticed that she was emaciated, weighing just 50 pounds, and was covered in bruises, had “at least a half-dozen broken bones” and failing organs, according to the district attorney’s office.
Investigators said the child was pronounced dead at the hospital just before 10 p.m.
Prosecutors said, during an investigation, detectives learned that Malinda was taken out of public school in late November or early December and was switched to at-home online schooling.
Investigators also found dozens of disturbing home security videos, according to the district attorney’s office.
“Those videos showed that Malinda was ankle-cuffed to furniture and verbally berated by the Defendants through an in-camera speaker system,” the release said. “The videos showed that the Defendants would punish Malinda by demanding strenuous physical exercise, such as squats and running in place while still shackled.”
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Prosecutors said that the couple would also punish Malinda by denying her meals. Investigators said the videos started months ago.
“Malinda was subjected to evil and torment that no child should ever have to endure,” said Chester County District Attorney Christopher L. de Barrena-Sarobe. “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 are being held in Chester County Prison, awaiting a preliminary hearing on May 13.
Magisterial District Judge J. Timothy Arndt III set a $1 million bond during an arraignment Wednesday morning.
According to prosecutors, once medical evidence becomes available, the suspects could face additional charges, including murder.
Anyone with information on this case is asked to call Chester County detectives at 610-344-6866.
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