Children found in Ohio 'house of horrors' kept in worse conditions than livestock
Police in Ohio have rescued 16 children from a severely deteriorated property where they were discovered living in appalling conditions. The Vinton County Sheriff's Office found the youngsters on Tuesday morning during a search warrant operation at a tiny house in Hamden, a small town of fewer than 1,000 people located roughly 60 miles southeast of Columbus.
The children, ranging in age from 18 months to 18 years old and comprising both girls and boys, were housed in a cramped space covered in human waste. Officials believed they had been kept at the property for nearly four years. Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson described the conditions as pure evil, stating: "The children lived in conditions you cannot even imagine people being in let alone children being in." Some of the youngsters were unable to speak, with an 18-year-old found at the property reportedly unable to write her own name.
Four adults have been charged with 17 counts of endangering children, a second-degree felony. The suspects were identified as Gary Siders Jr, Gary Siders Sr, Christina Siders and Elizabeth Siders. Prosecuting attorney William Archer stated the carers were responsible for causing serious physical harm.
Vinton County Sheriff Ryan Cain expressed shock at the discovery, remarking: "Most of our livestock was kept in better conditions than the children." Seven children were rushed to hospitals in Columbus with two airlifted by helicopter. One child remained in critical condition, whilst others were admitted for care.
Wilson stated that whilst the immediate priority was addressing the children's medical needs, authorities also recognised the profound emotional trauma their confinement had caused. Officials confirmed this was not a human trafficking situation, though declined to clarify how all the children were related. Authorities believe the four suspects, who are not local residents, had been moving deliberately to avoid establishing medical and government records.
Prosecutor Archer declared: "Our children deserve better from their parents, guardians and custodians. No child should endure these kinds of conditions."