Sixteen children who ‘looked like feral animals’ found living in tiny dilapidated Ohio house of horrors, as parents and grandparents are charged
Sixteen children who ‘looked like wild animals’ were rescued from a small, dilapidated house of horrors in Ohio, while four adults were facing charges, according to police.
The gruesome discovery was made by the Vinton County Sheriff’s Office Tuesday morning after a search warrant was obtained as part of an ongoing investigation.
According to Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson, law enforcement officers encountered a horrific scene at this home that was simply described as “pure evil.”
“Conditions you can’t imagine people would be in, let alone children,” Wilson said.
It revealed that some of the children ‘couldn’t even talk’.
‘It was terrible. They almost looked like wild animals. “It was terrible,” he said.
The two parents and grandparents were each charged with 17 counts of child endangerment, a second-degree felony.
The suspects were identified as Gary Siders Jr, Gary Siders Sr, Christina Siders and Elizabeth Siders.
The house was in the small town of Hamden, population less than 1,000 and located about 60 miles southeast of Columbus.
16 children who ‘looked like wild animals’ were rescued from this dilapidated tiny house in Hamden, Ohio
The suspects were stated to be Gary Siders Jr, Gary Siders Sr, Christina Siders and Elizabeth Siders.
Vinton County Sheriff Ryan Cain said the home was filled with human feces and a small room where investigators believe the children were kept for about four years.
Felony charges were filed by the prosecutor’s office because the parents and grandparents were responsible for causing “serious physical harm,” according to prosecutor William Archer.
Vinton County Sheriff Ryan Cain echoed a similar sentiment at a news conference, describing the home as filled with human feces and a small room where investigators believe the children were kept for about four years.
‘Many of our animals were kept in better conditions than children,’ Cain added.
Authorities said the children’s ages ranged from 18 months to 18 years old and included both boys and girls.
Many were in serious condition when they were found, and two had to be transported to level one trauma centers due to their injuries.
When asked about the emotional state of the children at a news conference, Wilson said investigators’ primary concern when they arrived at the scene was to get the children to the hospital due to the extent of their medical condition.
Authorities did not confirm that all the children were related but said this was not a human trafficking case.
The four people arrested were not locals and appeared to be travelling, officials added.
‘Our children deserve better from their parents, guardians and guardians. “No child should have to endure such conditions,” said Prosecutor Archer.
‘My office will do everything we can to ensure these children receive the love and care they deserve. ‘My office will prosecute these individuals to the fullest extent permitted by law.’
Many were in serious condition when they were found, and two had to be transported to level one trauma centers due to their injuries.
Felony charges filed by the DA’s office because parents and grandparents were responsible for causing ‘serious physical harm’
Authorities have not confirmed that all the children are related but have said this is not a human trafficking case
The four were arraigned in Vinton County Common Pleas Court Wednesday morning and remain jailed on $300,000 bail.
The Siders have lived in multiple Ohio counties since 2008 and have avoided producing medical or public records.
Family relative Terri Siders said: NBC News He said he had not heard from his family for at least eight years.
‘I knew little Gary had kids, yes. “But I don’t remember meeting any of the kids,” he said.
‘I knew from family conversations years ago that they had many children, but there was no way I could have thought they had that many.’
The four were arraigned Wednesday morning in Vinton County Common Pleas Court and remain jailed on $300,000 bail.
Investigators said in an update that they now believe Siders has lived in multiple Ohio counties since 2008 and has avoided producing medical or public records.
