Missing Hoggle Kids: Mom Not Competent to Stand Trial

Catherine Hoggle, the mentally ill mother who was the last person known to have seen her two young children 10 months ago, is still not competent to stand trial for child neglect, authorities say.

Jacob Hoggle, who turned 3 last week, and Sarah Hoggle, 4, have not been seen since early September 2014. Their mother was with them last and refuses to tell the children’s father, her mother, or police, where the youngsters are.

Those family members remain steadfast in their belief that the children are alive, while police are not optimistic about the youngsters’ fate.

Hoggle, a schizophrenic, appeared in Montgomery County District Courtroom Friday. She stood silent as a judge was told she remains incompetent to stand trial, reports WTOP. However, medical professionals say she could improve to a point where she could stand trial.

Prosecutors said in May they might pursue additional charges against Hoggle. Montgomery County Police believe the children are dead, while the extended Hoggle family disagrees.

Troy Turner, Hoggle’s common-law husband and the father of the missing toddlers, told MyMCMedia,“Apparently she is still incompetent but deemed restorable and in two months they are going to revisit.”

Hoggle will have another status hearing at 9 a.m. on Sept. 18.

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Hoggle faces a criminal trial on charges of child neglect and obstructing and hindering an investigation in connection with the disappearance of the youngsters, reports Montgomery Community Media.

The beleaguered mother also faces civil proceedings as Turner is seeking to be appointed her legal guardian. Hoggle’s attorney has filed to dismiss the case, says MCM, but an Aug. 6 trial is scheduled in that matter.

Meanwhile, the family continues to search for the children. Turner said a search for Sarah and Jacob is planned for July 18. Volunteers will meet at the Germantown Community Center, 18905 Kingsview Road.

Possible Sighting?

As the 10-month mark passed this week in the ongoing search for the brother and sister, family members say there was a possible sighting of the siblings Monday at an Ohio airport.

The children’s grandmother, Lindsey Hoggle, posted Tuesday on the FindSarahFindJacob Facebook page: “We continue to have reported possible sightings of Sarah and Jacob--some with more information than others. Latest possible sighting was yesterday, MONDAY JULY 6th AM at the TOLEDO, OHIO AIRPORT, flight from PUNTA GORDA, FLORIDA. PLEASE continue to share their photos WIDELY. We believe they are out there.”

Catherine Hoggle – a schizophrenic who reportedly refused to stay on her medication -- remains in the Clifton T. Perkins Hospital Center. She says the children are safe, but has not given any information on their whereabouts. Her mother says Catherine wanted to escape from a possible involuntary commitment to such a facility, so she took the children as part of that plan to leave. Family members say she gave the children to someone for safe-keeping.

On Facebook, Lindsey Hoggle thanked people for sharing information about the search for the youngsters, and asked that readers continue to spread the word. Police have been informed about the possible sighting in Ohio, she added.

“The family is working all angles - the PUBLIC found Catherine and we believe the PUBLIC can find Sarah and Jacob also. Kind thanks!” Lindsey Hoggle posted.

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There was a “possible sighting of the siblings on March 12 at Potomac Mills Outlet area in Woodbridge, VA., the family said on the FindSarahFindJacob Facebook page. In December, Montgomery County Police concluded that video from a New Jersey rest stop reputedly showing the missing children at the Joyce Kilmer Service Area off the New Jersey Turnpike near New Brunswick was not the Hoggle siblings.

The family says it considers most tips credible until proven otherwise.

Renewed Search Efforts

More than 100 searchers from Maryland and Virginia police agencies, along with dog teams and officers using sonar searched hundreds of acres in April during what turned out to be a fruitless attempt to locate the children.

Montgomery County Police say the search was not based on any new investigative leads, but is part of the continued effort to locate the siblings.

Authorities focused their efforts on areas in Darnestown, Boyds, and Clarksburg, and asked residents in those areas to again search their property for any sign of Jacob and Sarah.