‘Really looked 3rd world’: 16 children found in ‘disgusting’ Ohio home, adults charged
VINTON COUNTY, Ohio (WOIO/Gray News) - Sixteen children, some of whom appeared to be unable to speak, were removed from a home in “disgusting condition” during a raid in southeastern Ohio.
Gary Siders Jr., Elizabeth Siders, Gary Siders Sr., and Christina Siders, who were confirmed to be the parents and grandparents of the children, were each charged with 16 counts of child endangerment. Gary Siders Jr. was also charged with four counts of public indecency. They were arraigned on Wednesday morning and issued a $300,000 bond.
Raid at Vinton County home
The adults were taken into custody after the Vinton County Sheriff’s Office and Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) conducted a search warrant on Tuesday morning at a home on Ohmer Street in Hamden.
Officials said they were at the home for an unrelated investigation when they found the kids.
“This really looked third world,” said Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson. “It was absolutely terrible.”
Wilson also said that had they waited another 24 hours to raid the home, some of the children may have died.
“Most of our livestock is kept in better conditions,” said Sheriff Cain. “It was disgusting.”
Conditions of the children
Several of the children were in serious condition, and two were flown to hospitals due to the severity of their conditions, said Wilson.
“Some of the children could not even speak and looked like feral animals,” said Wilson.
The ages of the children ranged between 1 1/2 and 18 years old, and all 16 of them are being evaluated medically.
“The number one priority is to make sure that these kids are taken care of physically, mentally and emotionally,” said Wilson.
Wilson said the individuals are not from Vinton County, but have been in the area for about four years. The family members are also known to have ties to Gallia County and Wisconsin.
Some of the Vinton County neighbors said they had no idea kids were living there.
“They were good at keeping these kids out of sight,” said Wilson.
The children are currently in temporary custody of the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services.
“It appears from the evidence in this case that these kids have been in a position where people they should have been able to trust to take care of them have failed them, not only failed them, but harmed them,” said Wilson.
Ongoing investigation
This is an ongoing investigation and anyone with information is asked to call the Ohio Attorney General’s Office at 855-BCI-OHIO.
No information was released about the initial investigation during the press conference. Additional charges are expected as more information is uncovered.
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