CHESTER COUNTY, PA — Rendell Hoagland, 54, has pleaded guilty to the first-degree murder of his 12-year-old daughter, Malinda, who died after years of systematic abuse and torture. The Chester County District Attorney’s Office confirmed Hoagland’s guilty plea on Friday, marking a significant step in securing justice for Malinda.
The Death of Malinda
On May 4, 2024, Hoagland called 911, claiming that Malinda had struck a tree while riding her bicycle at 12:30 a.m. However, upon her arrival at the hospital, it was revealed that her injuries were far more severe than Hoagland had initially described. Malinda passed away during surgery, and an autopsy confirmed that her cause of death was starvation and multiple blunt-force injuries.
Systematic Abuse and Torture
During the two-hour plea agreement and sentencing hearing, Hoagland admitted to repeatedly abusing and torturing Malinda over the course of several years.
The abuse was not limited to physical violence but also involved psychological manipulation, where Malinda was conditioned to accept the mistreatment as normal. Cindy Warren, Malinda’s stepmother, also played a significant role in the abuse, reportedly working with Hoagland to make the child endure these inhumane acts.
Prosecutors shared that Malinda was afraid to report the abuse, as she was fearful of receiving even harsher punishment. According to Chester County District Attorney Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe, Malinda had been “reprogrammed” by her father and stepmother to believe that the abuse was an acceptable part of life.
Horrific Details of the Abuse
At the time of her death, Malinda weighed just 50 pounds, had at least six broken bones, and was covered in bruises. Investigators recovered home surveillance footage that allegedly showed Hoagland and Warren shackling Malinda’s ankles to furniture and verbally berating her for perceived offenses.
The child was also denied food for days as punishment and forced to perform strenuous physical exercises, such as squats and running in place, while shackled.
Meanwhile, Warren’s biological child, a 9-year-old, was reportedly treated well and unharmed, raising further questions about the selective and cruel treatment Malinda endured.
Hoagland’s Sentence and Warren’s Trial
As part of a plea deal, Hoagland was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The plea was reached after consultations with Malinda’s family, who spoke in court about the devastating impact of her death on their lives.
Prosecutors emphasized that Hoagland’s actions represented not only a years-long pattern of extensive torture but also a calculated, systematic method of terrorizing Malinda. Text messages and videos uncovered during the investigation further demonstrated how the defendants sought to manipulate and dehumanize the child.
Meanwhile, Cindy Warren faces her own charges and is scheduled for trial on June 8, 2025. She has a criminal history, having been convicted in 2009 for child endangerment stemming from the abuse and death of her stepdaughter and abuse of her son.
Impact on First Responders
During the sentencing hearing, first responders who had attended to Malinda shared their emotional experiences in court, describing how her death had affected them personally. The case continues to have a significant impact on the community, with the DA stating that while much has been done to bring justice for Malinda, there is still work to be done.
“We still have more work to do, but today we took a big step towards getting justice for Malinda,” said District Attorney Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe.
