Ohio officials carrying out an ordinary search warrant found 16 children living under squalid conditions in a rundown home in Vinton County, Ohio, on Tuesday, July 1, after uncovering what state officials termed a “pure evil” operation carried out by four family members aimed at concealing the children from the outside world.
It did not take long for the emergency rescue mission to turn into an investigative process in which the Vinton County Sheriff’s office and state prosecutor identified the extremely abusive treatment of the victims.
Sixteen children aged between 18 months and 18 years were locked in a single small room filled with feces. As Ohio’s Attorney General Andy Wilson pointed out, the appalling circumstances found in the home were shocking. Ohio AG Wilson called the scene “pure evil.” He said:
“What we witnessed here today is pure evil.”
— Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson, Nytimes
“I can still smell it. … I cannot get the smell off of me or away from me right now.”
— Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson, Wyso
The house on Ohmer Street in Hamden, Vinton County, had uncountable structural hazards. Cops feared they’d fall through the floor. Furthermore, Vinton County Sheriff Ryan Cain compared the condition of the children to “livestock,” stating the latter is kept in a better state.
“Most of our livestock was kept in better conditions than the children.”
— Vinton County Sheriff Ryan Cain, Wyso
Emergency personnel transported seven of the 16 children to Columbus hospitals, including two who required to be airlifted to Level 1 trauma centers.
“It was terrible. They looked like almost feral animals. It was terrible.”
— Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson, Nytimes
One child was intubated and remained in critical condition. The 18-year-old was treated like a minor because of developmental disabilities.
“I think if they would have waited another 24 hours, there was a very high probability that we’d be dealing with a death or multiple deaths of these children.”
— Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson, Wyso
The 16 children could communicate, but in a “limited” capacity, and it was because none of them were enrolled in school.
“They can communicate but it’s extremely limited, and some not at all.”
— Vinton County Sheriff Ryan Cain, Wyso
The parents and grandparents, Gary Siders Sr., 73, Christina Siders, 67, Gary Siders Jr., 36, and Elizabeth Siders, 33, were all arrested. Each faces almost 16-17 counts of second-degree felonies.
“They were pretty adept at keeping these kids out of sight and out of investigative eyes.”
— Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson, Abcnews
A Vinton County judge entered automatic not guilty pleas on behalf of all four and set individual bonds at $300,000.
“Our children deserve better from their parents, guardians, and custodians. No child should endure these kinds of conditions. My office will do everything in our power to make sure these children get the love and care they deserve. My office will prosecute these persons to the fullest extent of the law.”
— Vinton County Prosecutor William Archer, Ohioattorneygeneral
While the rescue has been concluded, state investigators and local deputies continue to comb the property for more evidence. The victims are undergoing extensive medical and psychological rehabilitation. The prosecutors turn their focus towards the family’s nomadic history.
“This case continues to reveal the unimaginable conditions these children were forced to endure. I said yesterday that what investigators encountered was pure evil, and the evidence we’ve uncovered since only reinforces that assessment.”
— Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson, Ohioattorneygeneral
Disclaimer: Inquisitr has not independently verified the specific facts or forensic details of this ongoing case and is reporting strictly based on official information, press releases, and court documentation provided by law enforcement officials and the Vinton County Sheriff’s Office.
