Children Found in Deplorable Conditions
Police in Ohio rescued 16 children from a tiny, decaying house in Hamden, where they were kept in conditions described as 'pure evil' by Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson. The children, ranging from 18 months to 18 years old, were discovered on Tuesday morning after a search warrant was executed as part of an ongoing investigation by the Vinton County Sheriff's Office.
The property, measuring just three-and-a-half square metres, was covered in human waste. Attorney General Wilson stated that the children 'looked like almost feral animals' and that some were unable to speak. An 18-year-old could not write her name, according to investigators.
Suspects Charged with Child Endangerment
Four adults—identified as Gary Siders Jr., Gary Siders Sr., Christina Siders, and Elizabeth Siders—were each charged with 17 counts of endangering children, a second-degree felony. The suspects are believed to be the parents and grandparents of the children. Prosecuting attorney William Archer accused the carers of causing 'serious physical harm' and vowed to prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.
The children were kept in the house for nearly four years, according to authorities. Vinton County Sheriff Ryan Cain remarked, 'Most of our livestock was kept in better conditions than the children.'
Medical and Emotional Impact
Seven children were rushed to hospitals in Columbus, with two airlifted by helicopter. One child was in critical condition on Tuesday. Attorney General Wilson emphasized that the primary focus is on the children's medical conditions, but acknowledged the emotional trauma they have suffered.
Officials have not confirmed how all the children are related but stated that it was not a human trafficking situation. The suspects are not locals and are believed to have been traveling to avoid setting up medical and government records. 'These folks were pretty good at hiding these kids,' Wilson said.
Neighbors and Relatives Shocked
Neighbors reported never seeing any children at the property. Joseph Stewart, 60, who lives three houses away, said he saw 'no kids at all' since the family moved in, despite having a clear view of the garden. 'It's a sad situation,' he said.
Terri Siders, a relative of the family, told NBC News she had not heard from them in over eight years. 'I knew little Gary had kids, yeah. I don't remember meeting any of the kids, though. I knew they had a lot of kids through family talking years ago, but there's no way I thought they had that many kids.'
Legal Proceedings
The four suspects appeared in the Vinton County Court of Common Pleas on Wednesday morning and remain in jail on a $300,000 bail. Investigators believe the Siders family has lived in multiple Ohio counties since 2008 and are reviewing whether they had previously been reported to children's services.
