The details of a civil lawsuit are set to be filed Wednesday, addressing the tragic death of 12-year-old Malinda Hoagland. The lawsuit involves several state, county, and school agencies, including Chester County, Chester County Children, Youth, and Families, various school districts, and individual schools. The case claims wrongful death, negligence, and recklessness, and is filed on behalf of Hoagland’s estate and her older half-sisters. The lawsuit asserts that these agencies failed to protect Hoagland despite numerous reports and warning signs of abuse. The attorneys representing Hoagland’s sisters argue that the agencies either ignored red flags or neglected their duties.

Calls for Accountability and Justice

Tom Bosworth, an attorney for Malinda’s sisters and her estate, criticized the agencies for their inaction. “Numerous complaints, numerous reports of physical abuse, black eyes, injuries—things that are obvious indicators of abuse—and zero visits to the home by Chester County Children and Youth, not one time,” Bosworth said. The lawsuit seeks millions of dollars in damages, aiming to address the perceived failures of the system that allowed Malinda’s suffering to continue unchecked.

Response from Defendants

We reached out to all defendants named in the lawsuit for comments. Chester County’s Public Information Officer declined to comment, citing ongoing litigation. A Monroe County Commissioner also offered no comment, stating they had just received the information. The Coatesville Area School District, where Malinda was enrolled, responded by saying, “Our staff diligently reported concerns about her welfare to the state agency that receives and manages such concerns. Shortly after that, she was withdrawn from our schools.” Another defendant, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services expressed condolences but refrained from commenting on the pending litigation.

Details of Malinda Hoagland’s Tragic Death

The investigation into Malinda’s death began on May 4, 2024, following a 911 call from her father, Rendell Hoagland, who reported that Malinda was unresponsive after a bike accident. However, the subsequent investigation revealed a far more disturbing picture. Chester County District Attorney Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe described Malinda’s condition as “broken and barely alive,” with multiple broken bones, severe bruising, organ failure, and severe malnutrition.

Evidence uncovered included in-home video footage documenting nearly a year of abuse. The videos showed Malinda chained to furniture, subjected to extreme physical exercise, and denied food for extended periods. The footage reportedly captured Cindy Warren, a co-defendant, verbally abusing Malinda and enforcing harsh punishments.

“This case has exposed a horrifying level of cruelty and systemic neglect,” de Barrena-Sarobe said. The lawsuit aims to hold accountable those responsible for Malinda’s suffering and to address broader issues within child protective services.