Authorities in rural Ohio have rescued 16 children from the same family who were living in what Vinton County Sheriff Ryan Cain described as "deplorable" conditions, with human waste present and children confined to a single room for years.
Some of the rescued children were unable to speak, and an 18-year-old with developmental disabilities could not write her name, investigators said Wednesday.
"Most of our livestock was kept in better conditions than the children," Sheriff Cain stated. "Just a disgusting scene."
Four adults have been charged with felony child endangerment. Authorities emphasized that this was not a case of human trafficking but involved one family. Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson said the discovery was made while executing a search warrant for an unrelated investigation.
"We didn't know there were going to be 16 kids there," Wilson said, describing the scene in the small village of Hamden, located in one of Ohio's poorest counties. "It's the type of thing that we're not used to seeing here in America."
Investigators believe the children, aged 1 1/2 to 18 years old, spent most of their time in a room approximately 12 feet by 12 feet. No cages were found in the home.
Seven of the children were transported to hospitals in Columbus, with two flown by helicopter. One child was in critical condition on Tuesday, according to Wilson.
"They looked like almost feral animals," Wilson said. "It was terrible."
Vinton County prosecuting attorney William Archer stated that the four adults were charged with second-degree felony child endangering due to the "serious physical harm" involved. The accused—Gary Siders Sr., 73; Christina Siders, 67; Gary Siders II, 36; and Elizabeth Siders, 33—appeared in court Wednesday, where not guilty pleas were entered on their behalf. They have not yet been assigned legal representation.
The home is situated near a steep railroad embankment in Hamden. Authorities indicated that it appeared outsiders were unaware of the children's existence, with Wilson noting, "These folks were pretty good at hiding these kids."
A neighbor, Joseph Stewart, 60, who has lived on the street for six years, said he had seen "no kids at all" since the family moved in, describing the neighborhood as typically quiet.
Discarded children's items, including two broken bicycles, a plastic play table, a beach pail, and two infant carriers, were visible in the yard of the home, which had its doors and windows open to the heat on Wednesday.
This discovery brings to mind past cases of severe child abuse, such as that of David and Louise Turpin. In 2019, the couple pleaded guilty to torture and years of abuse against their 13 children in California, who were reportedly shackled, starved, and received minimal education. The Turpins were sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years. Their arrest in 2018 followed the escape of their 17-year-old daughter, who contacted 911.