Catherine Hoggle found competent to stand trial in killings of two children

Hoggle had no visible reaction when the judge made the ruling in a Rockville courtroom on Wednesday.

Dr. Christiane Telefson, a forensic psychiatrist hired by the state’s attorneys office, told the court on Monday she believes Hoggle is competent to stand trial, understands the charges against her and can assist the defense in her case.

Telefson testified about her conversations with Hoggle and everything she used to come to that conclusion, including thousands of text messages and recorded phone calls.

Hoggle’s attorneys maintained they are concerned about her mental health.

Hoggle will remain at Clifton T. Perkins Hospital in Jessup until another hearing set to take place on Dec. 23.

A trial date has not been set yet.

Troy Turner — Hoggle’s ex-partner and the father of Sarah and Jacob — said Wednesday he wants justice for his children.

Eleven years after Sarah, 3, and Jacob, 2, vanished, mom Catherine Hoggle faces new murder charges. Darcy Spencer joins Ted Oberg to dissect the latest.

Police have said Hoggle was the last known person seen with Sarah and Jacob.

Hoggle was previously ruled incompetent and was committed to a Maryland psychiatric facility even after charges were dismissed in 2022. Then, last summer, she was released from confinement when a hospital psychiatrist said Hoggle was not a danger to herself or others and had logical thoughts.

After the state’s attorneys office learned Hoggle had been released to a halfway house last July, they put her under surveillance and then ultimately arrested her again in early August after she was indicted by a grand jury.

In earlier testimony, Dr. Nicole Johnson, a forensic psychiatrist at Clifton T. Perkins Hospital, stated that Hoggle:

• has a psychotic disorder
• is a danger to herself and others
• has established a relationship with the new partner of Sarah and Jacob’s father
• struggles with her ability to understand the law and assist in her own defense

The state’s attorney said Hoggle describes herself as a “chameleon.”

On Monday, Hoggle sat quietly in the courtroom and didn’t appear to consult with her attorney as the hearing went on throughout the day.

According to testimony, Hoggle is allowed to have an iPad and has been sending text messages to Turner’s new partner, a woman named Stephanie. Several people said on the stand that it’s a very odd relationship, since Hoggle is facing charges of killing two of her and Turner’s children.

Several people said Hoggle realizes it’s an odd relationship, but both sides are getting something out of the relationship. News4 has not learned Stephanie’s last name, but according to testimony, there are hopes that perhaps Stephanie eventually will learn from Hoggle what has happened to the children.

Hoggle’s defense attorney said Monday he doesn’t know how long Hoggle and Stephanie have been communicating or which woman first initiated contact.

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