A Pennsylvania man and his girlfriend are jailed on $1 million bond in the death of his 12-year-old daughter after months of starvation, confinement and beatings, police in Chester County said Tuesday.
Rendell Hoagland, 52, and Cindy Warren, 45, of West Caln Township, Pa., were arrested Monday and charged with attempted criminal homicide, aggravated assault, kidnapping and other related charges, the Chester County District Attorney’s Office said in a media release.
Murder charges could also follow.
The pair allegedly handcuffed 12-year-old Malinda Hoagland to furniture and forced her to perform rigorous calisthenics while tethered, as well as berating her through the home’s intercom system. They also denied her meals over “perceived slights,” police said.
Hoagland called 911 Saturday to report his daughter was “not responsive,” authorities said.
She “was broken and just barely alive,” Chester County District Attorney Chris de Barrena-Sarobe told The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Staff at Paoli Hospital Trauma center found Malinda was emaciated.
“She weighed 50 pounds. She was covered in bruises. She had at least a half-dozen broken bones. Her organs were failing,” police said. “Ultimately, Malinda died at approximately 9:58 p.m. while being treated.”
Malinda had been taken out of school in November and switched to online instruction. More than 100 videos stored on the couple’s phones from the home’s in-house camera system recorded what happened during the intervening months, authorities said.
“Malinda was subjected to evil and torment that no child should ever have to endure,” de Barrena-Sarobe said in the 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.”
