Welfare Concerns Reported Before Girl's Death: Coatesville Schools

THORNDALE, PA — Malinda Hoagland, 12, died recently after authorities said she was abused and starved by her father and his partner, and her former school district said staff had reported concerns about her wellbeing while she was enrolled there.

Chester County District Attorney Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe Tuesday said her father Rendell Hoagland, 52, and Cindy Warren, 45, both of Coatesville, have been charged with attempted murder, kidnapping, aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of a child, and more crimes in connection with Malinda Hoagland's death.

Malinda was airlifted to a hospital after she was found emaciated, suffering several broken bones, covered in bruises, and with organ failure, the DA's office said. She later died there.

The preteen girl was a student in the Coatesville Area School District before Hoagland and Warren took her out of school in late 2023, authorities said.

In a statement, the district said it is "devastated by the tragic and horrific news that one of our former students was found dead over the weekend."

"Twelve-year-old Malinda Hoagland was enrolled in our school district from spring 2022 through December 2023 when her family withdrew her from North Brandywine Middle School and enrolled her in another cyber charter school," the district said. "Our staff diligently reported concerns about her welfare to the state agency that receives and manages concerns. Shortly thereafter, she was withdrawn from our schools."

The district called the alleged abuse enacted by Hoagland and Warren "inhumane."

"This news shakes our entire school community, and we are deeply saddened and upset by the horrific details of the abuse this child suffered," the district said. "Counselors trained in grief and trauma support will be available at King's Highway Elementary, Scott Middle School, and North Brandywine Middle School, the schools that Malinda attended in our district, for both staff and students who may need to speak with someone or would like support in processing this tragedy."

The district said it is working to find a way to honor Malinda's life and will share any details in the coming days.

"We join collectively in mourning the life of this child," the district said. "No matter the length of time a child is a student in our school district, every child matters deeply and their welfare and well-being is critically important to us."