'House of Horrors' in Ohio Exposed

The single sharpest fact is that sixteen children, ranging in age from 1½ to 18, have been rescued from a dilapidated home in rural Ohio, where they were living in wretched conditions with human waste and no access to education.

### The Rescue

Authorities in Ohio discovered the children while carrying out a search warrant in an unrelated investigation. The children were found in a room that was roughly 3.5 metres by 3.5 metres, with no access to education or proper living conditions. 'Most of our livestock was kept in better conditions than the children,' said Vinton County Sheriff Ryan Cain.

### The Parents

The children's parents, Gary Siders snr, Gary Siders jnr, Christina Siders, and Elizabeth Siders, were charged with second-degree felony child endangering because it involves 'serious physical harm'. The four adults have not yet been assigned lawyers and were each assigned a $300,000 bond.

### The Condition of the Children

Some of the children discovered were unable to speak, and one – an 18-year-old who was developmentally disabled – could not write her name. 'They looked like almost feral animals,' Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson said. The children were in temporary custody of the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services.

### Background

Hamden, where the children were discovered, is a tiny village with a population of fewer than 1000 people, southeast of Columbus. The house where the children were found sits on a road tucked away alongside a steep railroad embankment, where tracks carry rumbling trains through Hamden. Neighbour Joseph Stewart said he saw 'no kids at all' since the family moved in three houses down.

### Key Facts

  • The children were found in a room that was roughly 3.5 metres by 3.5 metres.
  • Some of the children were unable to speak, and one was developmentally disabled.
  • The children's parents and grandparents were charged with second-degree felony child endangering.
  • The four adults have not yet been assigned lawyers.
  • Each was assigned a $300,000 bond.

### Investigators Review Past Reports

Investigators are reviewing whether the family was reported to any children's services agencies in the past. 'These folks were pretty good at hiding these kids,' Wilson said.

### Reaction

The discovery of the children is reminiscent of past horrific cases of family abuse, including the 2019 case of David and Louise Turpin, who were sentenced to life in prison for torturing their 13 children.

### Quote

'They looked like almost feral animals,' said Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson of the children's condition when they were rescued.

### Next Steps

The children are in temporary custody of the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services, and authorities are working to reunite the children with their families while also investigating how this situation occurred and what measures can be taken to prevent similar cases in the future.

### Meta-Description Sixteen children rescued from an Ohio home where they were living in wretched conditions. The parents and grandparents were charged with second-degree felony child endangering.

### Tags [ohio](#), [child_abuse](#), [families](#), [investigation](#), [us](#)

### Category us-americas

### Image Query children sitting in a field, smiling at each other

### Content Status not-yet-published

### Region north america

### Headline Variants alt headline 1: 'Sixteen Children Rescued from Ohio Home' alt headline 2: 'Ohio Family Charged with Child Endangerment'

### Is Breaking false