WASHINGTON — The mother of two Montgomery County children who have been missing for more than seven months remains not competent to stand trial.
Catherine Hoggle, 28, of Clarksburg was recently evaluated at Clifton T. Perkins Hospital Center where she has been held since facing charges connected to the disappearance of her children, Sarah, 3, and Jacob, 2, who were last seen Sept. 7. Hoggle’s family says she suffers from schizophrenia.
Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy says Hoggle’s Thursday’s appearance in Montgomery County District Court was a status hearing.
“We are at the mercy of the doctors who are working on her” said McCarthy. “And we are waiting for them to determine that she is competent to stand trial.”
Once that happens, McCarthy says, the case against her could proceed.
Currently, Hoggle faces charges related to the disappearance of her children.
Troy Turner, the children’s father, expressed frustration after Thursday morning’s hearing.
“It was basically a dog-and-pony show for about a half-hour,” he said.
Earlier this month, police conducted a search for the children, urging people in the area where the children were last seen to check their property.
Police said early in their investigation that they were “gravely concerned” about the children’s welfare.
Turner says he holds on to hope that the children may still be alive. His message to police and volunteers searching for the children: “Look as hard as you can and hope you find nothing.”
Despite few leads or sightings, Hoggle says, “I believe my kids are out there.”
WTOP’s Kate Ryan contributed to this report.
