Shocking Conditions in Ohio Home Where Children Were Found
An Ohio residence, described as a “house of horrors,” was the home to 16 children who, reportedly, were kept locked in a small room for years. The property, located in rural Hamden, is in a disgusting state, with a strong smell of urine.
Exclusive images reveal trash piled high in the front room of the 1,850-square-foot house. The only signs of decoration included a bizarrely framed tiger picture and an unclean chest freezer.
The floor is cluttered with discarded boxes, moldy clothing, and crumpled plastic containers. Amid the mess, a single “party bucket” of Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey stands out. The walls, once white, have turned a grimy gray.
In the basement, a chair and a bicycle wheel are the only recognizable items, buried under a large heap of rubbish. Outside the home, additional piles of debris clutter the area, with just a few children’s items, like a small broken bike and a children’s book titled “Jonathan James and the What Monsters,” hinting at the distressing reality of the children who lived there.
Two dilapidated cars—one silver sedan and a blue Chevrolet pickup—parked outside are just as filthy, showing signs of neglect with trash scattered inside.
Photos depict police tape still surrounding the property, over a week after a search warrant was executed on June 30.
Authorities were horrified to discover the conditions within the home. Sixteen children, with ages ranging from 1 to 18, had been confined to a room filled with excrement. Officials described the scene as “deplorable” and shocking, suggesting local livestock were living in better conditions.
Upon rescue, the children were taken to hospitals across Ohio, with some in critical condition; two were airlifted to trauma centers, and at least one needed intubation.
The children had reportedly never attended school and could barely communicate. Investigators noted that the oldest child, an 18-year-old, is developmentally disabled and unable to even write his name.
Grandparents Gary Siders Sr., 73, and Christina “Lynn” Siders, 67, along with their son Gary “Bub” Siders Jr., 36, and his wife Elizabeth Siders, 33, have been arrested, each charged with 16 counts of felony child endangerment. Authorities believe the younger couple are the biological parents of all 16 children.
Elizabeth was only 15 when she married Gary Jr., who was then 18. They reportedly welcomed their first child just two months later. State records reveal that Elizabeth once gave birth to conjoined twins, who sadly passed away shortly after birth.
A local food truck owner, who often saw Elizabeth and Gary Jr. placing orders, remarked on the unpleasant smell surrounding them. “It smelled like cat urine. It was horrible,” he recalled. His wife echoed his sentiments, noting, “You would walk behind them and smell them.” They mentioned that they had never seen the couple with their children and described Elizabeth as eerily quiet, as if she wasn’t allowed to speak.
Despite having 16 children, Elizabeth struck many as unexpectedly thin, prompting disbelief. All four defendants have pleaded not guilty and waived preliminary hearings.
Currently, Elizabeth, Gary Jr., and Christina are held in county jail with bail set at $300,000 each. Gary Sr. recently faced serious health issues requiring hospitalization, but a judge altered his bail conditions, allowing for a “recognition bond” to ensure he seeks treatment without returning to jail.
From hospital release, he will be monitored with a GPS device instead of being confined. If they are convicted on all counts, each defendant could face up to 192 years in prison.
