Rendell Hoagland pleaded guilty to first-degree murder after his 12-year-old daughter, Malinda, was found weighing about 50 pounds with multiple fractures and later died in May 2024. Prosecutors say videos recovered from Hoagland and his girlfriend showed Malinda shackled to furniture, verbally abused and at times denied food while being forced to perform strenuous exercise. Hoagland received life without parole plus 30–60 years after admitting years of systematic abuse. His girlfriend and Malinda’s stepmother, Cindy Warren, faces similar charges and is due to stand trial in June.
Father Pleads Guilty to First‑Degree Murder After 12‑Year‑Old Found Shackled and Emaciated
Malinda HoaglandChester County District Attorney
Rendell Hoagland has pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the death of his 12-year-old daughter, Malinda Hoagland, who was found critically emaciated and later died in hospital care.
In May 2024, Hoagland called 911 to report that Malinda was unconscious. First responders transported her to a hospital, where medical personnel determined she weighed about 50 pounds and had multiple fractured bones, according to Chester County prosecutors. Malinda died while hospitalized.
Evidence and Investigation
Investigators say that months before her death, Malinda had been withdrawn from traditional school and enrolled in a home cyber school. After her death, authorities examined the phones of Rendell Hoagland and his girlfriend and Malinda’s stepmother, Cindy Warren. Prosecutors reported finding videos showing Malinda physically restrained—shackled to furniture—and being verbally abused through a speaker system. They allege the adults forced her to perform strenuous physical exercises and at times denied her food.
Rendell Hoagland, left, and Cindy WarrenChester County District Attorney
Plea and Sentence
On Jan. 16, the Chester County District Attorney’s Office announced Hoagland had entered guilty pleas to first-degree murder, conspiracy, kidnapping and related charges. During a roughly two-hour court proceeding, he admitted to repeatedly and systematically abusing his daughter over a period of years. Hoagland was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus an additional 30 to 60 years.
Ongoing Case Against Stepmother
Cindy Warren faces similar charges and is scheduled to stand trial in June, prosecutors said.
Family Reaction
Malinda’s half-sisters, Emily Lee and Jamie Hoagland, told reporters they were unaware of the abuse. "We had been kept in the dark," Lee said, describing Malinda as a "bubbly child" who loved life.
The Chester County District Attorney’s Office said the plea agreement was reached in consultation with the victim’s family, who addressed the court about how Malinda’s death has affected them.
Resources
If you suspect child abuse, contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453) or visit www.childhelp.org. Calls are toll-free, confidential and the hotline operates 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
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