PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - The surviving family members of a Chester County girl allegedly tortured, starved and killed by her father and his girlfriend have filed lawsuits against the agencies they claim failed to protect her. The family of 12-year-old Malinda Hoagland, who died May 4th, filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against the County of Chester, Chester County Children, Youth & Families, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Monroe, Monroe County Office of Children & Youth, Coatesville Area School District, North Brandywine Middle School, Upper Dublin School District and Horace S.
Scott Middle School. The suit alleges "wrongful death, repeated violations of the State-Created Danger Doctrine and overall egregious negligence and recklessness." A state lawsuit was also filed in the Court of Common Pleas Philadelphia County against the Commonwealth Charter Academy, alleging wrongful death, negligence and recklessness, among other charges.
Authorities say Malinda weighed just 50 pounds at the time of her death. The girl's father, 52-year-old Rendell Hoagland, and his girlfriend, 45-year-old Cindy Warren, were charged with first-degree, second-degree and third-degree murder, as well as involuntary servitude and other offenses. Prosecutors have announced their intention to seek the death penalty in the case.
Rendell Hoagland Malinda’s half-sisters, Emily Lee, Jamie and Abbey Hoagland, scheduled a Wednes.