A relative of 16 children who were rescued from a horrific home in Ohio, reportedly filled with waste, has shared that the entire family is now receiving death threats, despite their lack of awareness about the situation.
Ronnie Fletcher, who is married to the daughter of Gary and Christina Siders, expressed his shock to WOWK after the disturbing details emerged last week. He described the living conditions of the children as “horrifying,” noting they were confined to small rooms measuring only 12 by 12 feet.
“It’s alarming for those of us who had no clue anything like this was happening within our family,” said Fletcher, a father of three.
“We’ve actually received death threats. People have said we should be killed or burned at the stake.” His wife and children have also faced similar threats, prompting the family to retreat from social life.
“I had to delete all my social media because it got so bad,” he shared, adding that his wife, typically employed in a public setting, is now afraid to go to work.
“This is impacting our lives financially because we can’t live normally while being targeted for things we had no part in,” he continued. “I feel like a recluse now. I don’t want to go out.”
Fletcher emphasized that had he known the true conditions in the Siders’ home, he would have intervened. He initially believed there were only ten children living in the household.
“If we had been aware of what was actually happening, we would have stepped in somehow, even if it meant taking the kids or providing some sort of help,” he asserted. “If anyone had known, they would have tried to clean up the mess themselves.”
Authorities charged Gary Siders, 73, Christina Siders, 67, Gary Siders Jr., 36, and Elizabeth Siders, 33, with 16 counts of child endangerment after a police raid linked to a different investigation uncovered the unsettling living conditions.
Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson noted that investigators had to wear masks while entering the cluttered space, describing the children as “almost feral.”
“It’s unimaginable what these kids have gone through, not to mention what the family is facing,” he remarked.
The oldest child found was 18 years old, and authorities revealed that none of the children attended school. Many of them were developmentally disabled and couldn’t write their names.
Vinton County Sheriff Ryan Cain highlighted that the children’s ability to communicate is very limited, with some incapable of expressing themselves at all. “The scene was horrific, and the charges are equally severe,” he added.
Fecal matter discovered inside the residence raised concerns of contamination. “What we witnessed was absolutely disgusting,” he noted, adding that livestock generally fare better than the children did.
This situation is described as a family affair rather than a case of human trafficking, stated Vinton County Prosecutor William Archer. The children, varying in age from 1 to 16, were taken to hospitals across Ohio for medical care, with some reported in critical condition, including two who had to be airlifted for trauma care.
“Justice will be served for these children,” Wilson promised.
All four suspects entered not guilty pleas during their arraignment last Wednesday.
