PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A Chester County man has pleaded guilty to systematically abusing his daughter for years and then killing her.
In a two-hour court appearance on Friday, 54-year-old Rendell Hoagland pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, conspiracy, kidnapping and other charges in connection with the murder of his 12-year-old daughter, Malinda, in 2024.
It was on May 4 of that same year that Rendell called 911 and told them Malinda had hit a tree while riding her bicycle, according to NBC10. Authorities responded to their West Caln home and found the girl emaciated, malnourished and covered in bruises.
She was rushed to the hospital, where doctors found she had at least a half-dozen broken bones and her organs were failing. Investigators later revealed that Malinda had been unconscious for hours that day before getting any help.
The 12-year-old weighed only 50 pounds when she died at the hospital. The cause of death was determined to be starvation and blunt force trauma. Officials said Malinda suffered injury to every organ system in her body, including her brain.
Rendell was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. His wife, Cindy Warren — Malinda’s stepmother — is set to go to trial on June 8 for charges in connection with Malinda’s death.
Three of Malinda’s half-sisters have filed a lawsuit against the state, county, schools and service organizations for not doing enough to stop Malinda’s abuse.