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Police Building Homicide Case Against Schizophrenic Mother

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- It's been over a week since anyone has seen two Maryland children, just two and three years old. The only person who may have information---their schizophrenic mother---isn't talking. Now police admit they don't expect to find the little ones alive.

Christie Ileto reports things are getting desperate.

They meet in parking lots---every night, the same routine.

"We have had people who thought they had sightings in the area over the past week so there's good reason to start from here," said Troy Turner.

Turner leads a civilian search group for his missing two and three-year-old toddlers, Jacob and Sarah Hoggle. They've been missing for eight days.

Police are now building a homicide case against their mother, Catherine Hoggle, who's been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia.

Efforts to disguise her identity failed Friday when police arrested her.

Hoggle's uncooperative behavior leaves authorities with no answers.

"I want to know where my kids are. I feel like she knows where they are but she's not telling me," he said.

Having combed 13,000 acres since their disappearance, police fear the worst.

"If you find what we unfortunately believe you will find, we ask that you back away immediately," a police officer said. "Do not tough anything."

Police, family and friends have been searching multiple neighborhoods throughout Montgomery County and while the searches have come up short, the toddlers' father says he is not giving up. Pictures and posters are now a regular sight.

"She's gone off her meds before; she's never done anything to hurt the children on purpose. Ever," he said.

And as night falls Monday, Turner and his family brace for day nine.

Hoggle faces charges of child neglect, obstruction and hindering.

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