Police Turn To Surveillance Video In Search For Missing Md. Toddlers

GAITHERSBURG, Md. (WJZ)—The father of two missing toddlers in Montgomery County says he and volunteers are now expanding their search to parts of Frederick and even Baltimore as they track down possible tips in the case.

Derek Valcourt explains the father and police are growing increasingly desperate for new information.

The missing toddler's dad is going on day 16 without knowing where the children's mentally ill mother left them.

Police are even asking for the help of local businesses with surveillance cameras.

Troy Turner says he's slept less than four hours in the last two weeks as he and volunteers continue the frantic search for his missing kids, 3-year-old Sarah and 2-year-old Jacob.

"I've talked to people and they say if this happened I don't know if I'd be able to do it. Yes you would. They're your kids and you'll do whatever they need, and that's all I'm doing," Turner said.

The children's paranoid schizophrenic mother, 27-year-old Catherine Hoggle, remains in jail and refuses to say what she did with the kids.

Investigators are building a homicide case against her after already searching thousands of acres in the county.

Now police are asking business owners in northern Montgomery County to search their own video surveillance tapes on specific dates and times for signs of the cars Catherine Hoggle was driving when she took the children.

On Sunday, Sept. 7, from 4:30 to 7:15 p.m., she was driving a 2012 silver grey Nissan Rogue with Maryland tags 3ax8778. And on Monday, Sept, 8, from 5 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. she was in a blue grey 2004 Chrysler town and country with Maine tags 48598ce.

"It is very difficult to see tags on a vehicle on a surveillance tape, but if you see a vehicle that matches the description of the vehicles that we are looking for then that counts also," said Lt. Sonia Pruitt, Montgomery County Police.

For now, Turner remains hopeful his kids are alive.

"Inside, I feel like balling up and laying in a corner and just weeping, but I can't do that because my kids don't need me to do that. They need to be out here finding them, and that's what I'm going to do. I'm going to find my children," Turner said.

Turner tells WJZ the reward fund is now up to $20,000 for information that leads to the children's safe return.

Anyone with information on their whereabouts is urged to call Montgomery County Police.

Catherine Hoggle has been charged with her children's disappearance.

Her family believes she had stopped taking her medication. The only thing she has told investigators is that the children are safe and together.

Other Local News: