A man from Pennsylvania facing charges in a deeply disturbing child abuse case that resulted in the death of his 12-year-old daughter has accepted a plea deal to escape the death penalty.

Rendell Hoagland, aged 54, admitted guilt to charges including first-degree murder, conspiracy, and kidnapping connected to the tragic death of Malinda Hoagland in May 2024. According to a statement from the Chester County District Attorney’s Office released Friday, the plea deal ensures a life sentence without the possibility of parole, along with an additional 30 to 60 years.

Back in July 2024, the district attorney stated intentions to pursue the death penalty for Hoagland and his partner, 45-year-old Cindy Warren, who was also apprehended following Malinda’s death, as reported by CrimeOnline.

Malinda passed away mere hours after her father made a 911 call claiming a tree struck her while she was biking. However, investigators quickly realized that his explanation was inconsistent with the severe injuries the child had sustained.

Medical examinations revealed that Malinda weighed only 50 pounds at the time of her death and suffered from six fractures, multiple cuts and bruises, and liver damage. Investigators discovered that Hoagland and Warren had cruelly restrained Malinda to furniture, even during her online schooling, and forced her to endure extensive physical exercise as a form of punishment. They deprived her of food, even locking the pantry to prevent her access.

A video uncovered from a mobile phone disclosed that Malinda had been subjected to prolonged and systematic abuse over the years.

Warren’s 9-year-old son also lived at the home but was not subject to the abuse heaped on the girl. Warren’s trial is scheduled to begin on June 8, the district attorney’s office said.

District Attorney Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe said that prosecutors consulted with the victim’s family in reaching the plea deal.

“We still have more work to do, but today we took a big step towards getting justice for Malinda,” he said.