Maryland mother accused of killing her 2 children in 2014 faces competency hearing

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (7News) — The Montgomery County mother accused of killing her two children in 2014 faces a competency hearing four months after her most recent indictment on first-degree murder charges.

Catherine Hoggle’s competency hearing is set to begin Monday and last through Tuesday as a judge works to determine whether she is able to participate in her own defense.

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Catherine Hoggle was indicted in July on two counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of her children — Sarah Hoggle, 3, and Jacob Hoggle, 2. The children were last seen on Sept. 7, 2014, and their mother was reportedly the last person seen with them. No bodies have ever been found.

Catherine Hoggle was initially charged with child neglect and obstruction. A murder charge was added in 2017.

However, Maryland Circuit Court Judge James A. Bonifant found Hoggle incompetent to stand trial due to mental health issues in 2022. According to her lawyers, Hoggle was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia.

She was civilly committed to a psychiatric facility. She was released in July 2025. Following her release, Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy convened a grand jury, which returned the indictment on July 31, 2025.

The investigation into the disappearance of Sarah and Jacob Hoggle is ongoing. Authorities urge anyone with information to contact the Montgomery County Police Department or the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.