16 Children Rescued From Ohio Home, Four Arrested

Sixteen children were living inside a small rural home in southern Ohio. Their neighbors, in a village of roughly 200 people, say they had no idea the kids existed.

Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson said Wednesday that investigators uncovered what he called some of the worst conditions he has encountered in his career during a search of a home in Hamden, in Vinton County. Four adults are now facing felony charges.

What Investigators Found

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Vinton County Sheriff's Office executed a search warrant at the Ohmer Street home Tuesday. Sixteen children, ranging in age from 18 months to 18 years, were removed from the property and taken for medical evaluation.

Several children were in serious condition, and two were flown to Level 1 trauma centers. "If they had waited 24 hours, there is a very high probability that we'd be dealing with a death, or multiple deaths, of these children," Wilson said.

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Charges Filed

Gary Siders Sr., Gary Siders Jr., Christina Siders, and Elizabeth Siders were each charged with 17 second-degree felony counts of child endangering — one for each child, plus an additional count involving serious physical harm. Vinton County Prosecutor William Archer said the charges are expected to be adjusted to 16 counts as the case proceeds.

All four pleaded not guilty at a Wednesday arraignment and were each held on $300,000 bond, barred from contacting one another or the children. Officials say the suspects are not originally from Vinton County and had settled in the area roughly four years ago.

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Not a Trafficking Case, Officials Say

Vinton County Sheriff Ryan Cain, who described the scene as one of the worst he has encountered, said conditions inside the home involved significant unsanitary material. Officials have declined to confirm whether the children were related to one another or to the suspects.

Prosecutor Archer emphasized that investigators do not believe the case involves human trafficking. "This is an intra-family situation. This is not human trafficking. There is nothing to put our other children at risk," he said.

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A Second Warrant, an Ongoing Investigation

Investigators have executed a second search warrant on the property as the case continues, and officials say evidence of additional potential offenses was uncovered during the initial search. Wilson said computer forensic analysts and lab personnel have been assigned to the case.

Governor Mike DeWine said he has been briefed throughout by Wilson's office and has spoken directly with Sheriff Cain to offer state resources. Kara Wente, director of the Ohio Department of Children and Youth, is assisting Vinton County Children's Services with the children's ongoing care.

What Happens Now

The 16 children remain in the temporary custody of state child welfare services while some continue receiving elevated medical care. Wilson said the investigation will be pursued fully, with the four suspects due back in court as the case moves forward.

"Justice will be served for these children," Wilson said.

TL;DR

• Sixteen children were removed from a Vinton County, Ohio home in what officials called dangerous conditions

• Four adults face 17 felony counts each of child endangering

• Two children were flown to Level 1 trauma centers; several were in serious medical condition

• Officials say the case is not connected to human trafficking

• A second search warrant is active as the investigation continues

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