Pennsylvania Pre-Teen Who Weighed 50 Pounds When She Died 'Subjected to Evil and Torment': Prosecutor

Police say a Pennsylvania father and his girlfriend have been arrested in connection with the death of a 12-year-old girl, claiming the pair allegedly tormented the child for months.

Authorities recently responded to a home in West Caln Township after 52-year-old Rendell Hoagland called to say his daughter, Malinda Hoagland, was unresponsive, according to the Chester County District Attorney’s Office.

First responders transported the child to Paoli Hospital Trauma Center, where medical staff determined there was “something gravely wrong” with her, prosecutors said.

Malinda weighed only 50 pounds and was covered in bruises, and was suffering multiple broken bones and failing organs, according to officials.

The child died just before 10 p.m. on May 4.

Investigators learned Malinda was pulled out of public school in late November and early December 2023 and transitioned to a "home cyber school."

Officials alleged cell phone evidence from Rendell and his girlfriend, 45-year-old Cindy Warren, showed that Warren erased text messages between her and Rendell.

Police claimed they also found video footage from the couple’s home camera system, which allegedly showed Malinda’s ankle handcuffed to furniture.

Hoagland and Warren verbally abused the young girl and punished her by “demanding strenuous physical exercise, such as squats,” and made Malinda run “in place while still shackled," according to officials.

The video footage of the alleged abuse dates back several months, prosecutors said.

Warren’s 9-year-old son was also in the residence at the time, but he was unharmed, WCAU-TV reported.

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On May 6, Hoagland and Warren were arrested and charged with attempted criminal homicide, aggravated assault, kidnapping and other related charges.

They were each booked into jail and were being held on $1 million bond.

Authorities said a decision on whether to charge the defendants with additional charges, including murder, will be made when medical evidence is fully available in the ongoing investigation.

In a statement, Chester County District Attorney Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe said, "Malinda was subjected to evil and torment that no child should ever have to endure. 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."