Sixteen children have been removed from a home in Hamden, Ohio, after investigators found them living in filthy, overcrowded conditions that officials are calling some of the worst they have ever encountered.
The children, ranging in age from 18 months to 18 years old, were discovered Tuesday, June 30, when law enforcement served a search warrant at a house on Ohmer Street as part of an unrelated investigation. Officers had no idea children were living inside until they entered the property.
What Investigators Found
Vinton County Sheriff Ryan Cain said the conditions inside the home were worse than what many people would provide for animals. Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson, who stood at the doorway of the room where the children were being kept, said the smell has stayed with him since.
Key details from the scene include:
- Most of the children were confined to a single small room contaminated with human waste
- The floor in parts of the house was so damaged that officers feared falling through it
- Two children required helicopter transport to Level 1 trauma centers for treatment
- All 16 children were taken to hospitals for medical evaluation
Wilson said investigators believe the timing of the rescue may have prevented a tragedy. He told reporters that waiting even one more day could have resulted in one or more of the children dying.
Vinton County Prosecutor William Archer said the children have since been placed under the temporary custody of child protective services and are now safe.
The Four Adults Charged
Gary Siders Sr., 73, Christina Siders, 67, Gary Siders Jr., 36, and Elizabeth Siders, 33, were each charged with 16 counts of felony child endangerment, one for each child found in the home. All four were arraigned the day after their arrest.
A few notes on the case so far:
- Bond was set at $300,000 for each defendant
- None of the four had retained an attorney at the time of arraignment, so the judge entered not guilty pleas on their behalf
- The judge ordered that the defendants have no contact with each other or with the alleged victims, and required ankle monitoring if bond is posted
- Officials say the adults are related to the children as grandparents and parents, and that the case does not appear to involve human trafficking
Investigators say the children, including three sets of twins, appear to have received little to no formal schooling. Authorities noted that some of the children could communicate only in a limited way, while others could not communicate verbally at all.
One 18-year-old girl, who may have a developmental disability, reportedly could not spell her own name and is being treated as a minor in the case.
A Family That Moved Around
The family had lived in Vinton County for about four years before the arrests. Officials say they also have ties to Gallia County and may have previously lived in Pike and Jackson counties, as well as in Wisconsin.
Neighbors near the home told reporters they had no idea children were living there. Officers who responded to the scene said the smell coming from the property was noticeable even from outside.
Search warrants connected to the investigation have been sealed as the case continues. Authorities say addressing the children’s emotional and psychological wellbeing will be a long-term priority alongside the criminal case.
Anyone with information related to the case is asked to contact the Ohio Attorney General’s office.
