The 38-year-old Clarksburg mother charged with two counts of murdering her young children in 2014 has been deemed competent to stand trial by a Montgomery Circuit Court judge on Wednesday. The ruling reverses a 2022 decision that she was incompetent to stand trial because of mental health issues.
“Having schizophrenia does not automatically equate to being mentally incompetent,” said Judge James Bonifant at the conclusion of the hearing involving murder suspect Catherine Hoggle.
The competency criterion outlined in court was defined by having the ability to consult with one’s lawyer in a rational manner and having a rational understanding of charges against oneself.
David Felsen, Catherine Hoggle’s attorney, a post-hearing press conference.
During the hearing, the judge also revealed that Hoggle texted and called her mother and father from prison and discussed “future plans” with her attorney, David Felson
“I have a list in my head of what I need a lawyer to do,” said Hoggle via a statement she was attributed to that was provided to the Court.
“She understands that you need to plan and to be prepared,” said Judge Bonifant. “I am convinced beyond a reasonable doubt … that she is competent to stand trial,” he said.
Bonifant went on to explain that Hoggle is “actively involved in her medication” and “she denied any homicidal or suicidal [thoughts].”
The hearing also revealed that Hoggle has done artwork in prison as part of an art therapy program and reported enjoying the art therapy and that it was helpful to her.
Hoggle has been in custody for more than five years. The judge said in his decision to proceed with a trial that “holding an individual indefinitely … is unconstitutional due to 14th amendment.”
An unidentified woman wears a “Justice for Sarah and Jacob” shirt to the competency hearing and press conference involving the toddler’s mother, Catherine Hoggle.
Tears streamed down the face of the children’s father, Troy Turner, who hugged a small group of people in the back of the courtroom after the competency hearing decision was handed down.
Hoggle’s submitted testimony to the court, stating she was worried about what her slain children’s father might do to her and “not being able to live looking over her shoulder.”
“She does suffer from paranoia,” said Felson about his client at a post-hearing press conference.
Hoggle was civilly committed to a psychiatric facility in 2022 and a year later, in 2023, she signed a voluntary re-admission into a mental health facility. In 2024, Hoggle signed another voluntary re-admission form. In July 2025, she was released and formally discharged from Clifton T. Perkins Hospital Center, Maryland’s maximum-security forensic psychiatric hospital.
Judge Bonifant has ordered her to stay at Perkins to maintain her competency in the lead up to her trial.
A follow-up status hearing is scheduled for Dec. 23.
Missing children Sarah and Jacob Hoggle.
As the prime suspect for more than a decade, Hoggle was initially charged with child neglect, obstruction and finally, murder. However, a Montgomery County grand jury indicted Hoggle on two counts of murder in connection with the disappearance of her two children, Sarah, 3 , and Jacob, 2, in 2017—three years after the toddlers had gone missing.
Sarah and Jacob Hoggle remain missing, and the circumstances surrounding their disappearance are still unsolved.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Solvers of Montgomery County at: www.crimesolversmcmd.org or call 1-866-411-8477. A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of the suspect. Tips may remain anonymous.
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