Nearly three years after the disappearance of her two children, a Maryland mother has asked that the charges against her be dropped.
An attorney for Catherine Hoggle told a judge Thursday that he has filed a motion to have the misdemeanor charges dismissed, WTOP reports.
According to WTOP, "unless the defendant is charged with a felony or a crime of violence, misdemeanor charges must be dropped after three years."
Hoggle told Montgomery County police she left 2-year-old Jacob and 3-year-old Sarah with a friend in September 2014 but has never given details on their whereabouts.
Police believe the Gaithersburg woman is responsible for the deaths of her children. She was charged with misdemeanor child neglect, abduction and hindering law enforcement, but mental health professionals have repeatedly found her "not competent" to stand trial.
Hoggle had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia before the children disappeared.
If the charges against her are dropped, Hoggle could potentially be released. But WTOP says that outcome is unlikely, as prosecutors would likely file other charges to keep her in custody. A judge could also place her under civil commitment if she is believed to still be a danger to herself or others.
