# Emmerdale: Charity Dingle faces custody as Sarah changes her > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/emmerdale-sexual-assault-storyline > Updated: 2026-09-09T06:30:22.000Z. Sources: 14. Developments: 20. The legal and personal situation surrounding the death of Dr. Caitlin Todd has escalated. Charity Dingle remains charged with involuntary manslaughter after her attempts to take responsibility for the fatal head injury—caused by Sarah Sugden during a confrontation—failed to hold up against forensic evidence. The fallout has extended to Charity’s personal relationships. Following the revelation of Charity’s infidelity with Ross Barton, which led to the conception of baby Leyla, Sarah Sugden has disowned her grandmother. While Sarah had initially intended to maintain the deception regarding the child’s parentage to protect her marriage to Jacob Sugden, the relationship with Charity has since severed completely. In a significant turn for the legal case, Sarah has gone to the police to change her statement regarding Dr. Todd’s death. This reversal has resulted in Charity being taken into custody. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-09: Emmerdale: Sarah Sugden disowns Charity Dingle following major betrayal Emmerdale character Sarah Sugden disowns her grandmother Charity Dingle and threatens to reveal the truth about Dr. Todd's death, leading to Charity's arrest. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/emmerdale-sarah-sugden-disowns-charity-dingle-following-major-betrayal ### 2026-09-04: Emmerdale: Charity Dingle charged with manslaughter Emmerdale character Charity Dingle faces involuntary manslaughter charges following the death of Dr. Caitlin Todd and the exposure of several long-held family secrets. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/emmerdale-charity-dingle-charged-with-manslaughter ### 2026-08-30: Emmerdale's Charity Dingle charged with murder Emmerdale's Charity Dingle faces murder charges and potential life imprisonment after attempting to cover up the accidental death of Dr Todd to protect her granddaughter, Sarah Sugden. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/emmerdales-charity-dingle-charged-with-murder ### 2026-08-28: Emmerdale plotlines escalate with fatal accident and investigation Emmerdale storylines intensify as DS Thea Ramsden investigates a fatal car accident involving Jimmy King, while Charity Dingle’s lies regarding the death of Dr. Caitlin Todd begin to unravel. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/emmerdale-plotlines-escalate-with-fatal-accident-and-investigation ### 2026-08-13: Emmerdale: Charity Dingle faces scrutiny over Dr. Todd death Emmerdale spoilers reveal Charity Dingle is deepening her web of lies to protect Sarah Sugden following the death of Dr. Caitlin Todd, while Mackenzie Boyd grows increasingly suspicious. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/emmerdale-charity-dingle-faces-scrutiny-over-dr-todd-death ### 2026-08-10: Emmerdale: Charity Dingle takes blame for Dr. Todd's death Emmerdale spoilers reveal Charity Dingle is attempting to take the rap for Dr. Todd's death to protect Sarah, even as DS Ramsden begins to suspect a cover-up. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/emmerdale-charity-dingle-takes-blame-for-dr-todds-death ### 2026-08-08: Emmerdale: Dr. Caitlin Todd returns to confront Charity Dingle Emmerdale storylines follow a confrontation between Charity Dingle and her abuser, Dr. Caitlin Todd, involving blackmail, sexual assault allegations, and threats regarding a family secret. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/emmerdale-dr-caitlin-todd-returns-to-confront-charity-dingle ### 2026-08-06: Emmerdale drama intensifies as Dr Caitlin Todd returns before her death Dr Caitlin Todd returns to Emmerdale, confronting Charity Dingle and others, with a flash‑forward hinting at her imminent death. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/emmerdale-drama-intensifies-as-dr-caitlin-todd-returns-before-her-death ### 2026-07-20: Emmerdale: CPS drops case against Dr. Caitlin Todd as new assault claims emerge Emmerdale's Dr. Caitlin Todd sees CPS drop the case over lack of evidence; Charity Dingle is left despondent while Mackenzie Boyd and Vanessa Woodfield pursue new assault victims, meeting survivor Helen. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/emmerdale-cps-drops-case-against-dr-caitlin-todd-as-new-assault-claims-emerge ### 2026-07-16: Emmerdale episode reveals scandal as new digital spin‑off series is announced Emmerdale’s new episode uncovers Dr Todd allegations while ITV Studios launches the Dingle Court digital spin‑off on YouTube. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/emmerdale-episode-reveals-scandal-as-new-digital-spinoff-series-is-announced ### 2026-07-13: Charity Dingle's abuse case stalls as CPS declines to prosecute Dr Todd on Emmerdale CPS refuses to charge Dr Todd, prompting Charity Dingle, Mack Boyd and Vanessa Woodfield to hunt for past complaints at Hotten General. Other plots include a Home Farm breach, Kev Barton's visitor, and Cain D'S 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/charity-dingles-abuse-case-stalls-as-cps-declines-to-prosecute-dr-todd-on-emmerdale ### 2026-07-07: Emmerdale character Vanessa Woodfield shocked by police investigation into Dr Todd Police question Emmerdale's Vanessa Woodfield over a serious allegation against Dr Todd as the village searches for missing Charity. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/emmerdale-character-vanessa-woodfield-shocked-by-police-investigation-into-dr-todd ### 2026-06-30: Emmerdale plot twists spark fan speculation on Dr Todd and newcomer Serena Emmerdale fans debate a possible return of abusive Dr Todd and tension as newcomer Serena Sugden probes village scandals. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/emmerdale-plot-twists-spark-fan-speculation-on-dr-todd-and-newcomer-serena ### 2026-06-30: Emmerdale sees Mackenzie Boyd confront blackmail and assault scandal Emmerdale's Mackenzie Boyd faces a blackmail and assault scandal involving Dr Caitlin Todd, while actor Lawrence Robb confirms a relationship with West End star Pamela Blair. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/emmerdale-sees-mackenzie-boyd-confront-blackmail-and-assault-scandal ### 2026-06-23: Emmerdale's Charity Dingle to Report Dr Todd Blackmail and Assault to Police Charity Dingle confesses to police that Dr Caitlin Todd blackmailed and sexually assaulted her, after an escalating scheme involving false paternity claims and attempted theft. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/emmerdales-charity-dingle-to-report-dr-todd-blackmail-and-assault-to-police ### 2026-06-22: Emmerdale to air shock crime flashforward and wrap Charity Dingle storyline Emmerdale will air a flashforward revealing a shocking crime while wrapping up Charity Dingle’s abuse storyline and continuing the Dr. Todd investigation. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/emmerdale-to-air-shock-crime-flashforward-and-wrap-charity-dingle-storyline ### 2026-06-11: Emmerdale’s Charity Dingle spirals amid abuse and mental‑health crisis Charity Dingle’s breakdown on Emmerdale, involving alleged post‑natal depression and a sexual assault by Dr Caitlin Todd, fuels village tension and debates over accountability. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/emmerdales-charity-dingle-spirals-amid-abuse-and-mentalhealth-crisis ### 2026-06-08: Emmerdale's Dr. Caitlin Todd leaves village after police interview over Charity Dingle assault Dr. Caitlin Todd was police‑questioned for allegedly assaulting Charity Dingle, faced no charges, and left Emmerdale village, prompting fan outrage; actress Caroline Harker is exiting the role. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/charity-dingle-reports-dr-todd-assault-police-question-villain-in-emmerdale ### 2026-06-07: Emmerdale's Charity Dingle Assault Sparks Viewer Outcry Emmerdale’s Charity Dingle is sexually assaulted by Dr Caitlin Todd during a blackmail plot, sparking intense viewer backlash and discussions on sexual violence. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/emmerdales-charity-dingle-assaulted-by-dr-todd-triggers-viewer-outcry ### 2026-06-02: Emmerdale's Charity Dingle assaulted by Dr Caitlin Todd in new storyline Emmerdale will air a new plot where Dr Caitlin Todd sexually assaults Charity Dingle, exploring female‑on‑female violence and its aftermath; the scenes begin 7 June. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/emmerdale-to-air-sexual-assault-storyline-for-charity-dingle-by-dr-todd --- Cite as: Emmerdale: Charity Dingle faces custody as Sarah changes her. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/emmerdale-sexual-assault-storyline