In Pennsylvania, 12-year-old Malinda Hoagland died shortly after being found in a critical condition by police on May 4. Her father, Rendall Hoagland, had called 911 claiming she was injured in a bicycle accident. Upon examination at the hospital, Malinda, who weighed only 50 pounds, displayed severe physical trauma including multiple broken bones, heavy bruising, and liver damage. She passed away just hours after her hospital arrival.
Two days following her death, Rendall Hoagland, 52, and his fiancée Cindy Warren, 45, were charged with attempted criminal homicide, assault, kidnapping, among other charges, with authorities suggesting that additional charges, including murder, could follow. Investigations revealed that Malinda had been removed from school and allegedly restrained and abused at home, often shackled to furniture in the basement. Electronic evidence recovered from the home showed videos of the abuse.
Social media activity by the couple showed a noticeable absence of Malinda from early January, while posts about Warren's biological son, Gavin, continued. The couple, held on $1 million cash bail, claimed Malinda’s injuries were accidental.