Gary Siders Sr., 73, the grandfather of 16 children discovered in squalid conditions in an Ohio home, has been found unfit to stand trial. A Vinton County Common Pleas Court judge accepted a medical evaluation determining that Siders is incompetent, unable to assist in his defense, and that his mental competency cannot be restored.
Vinton County Prosecutor William Archer did not object to the findings. Siders' attorney, Dorian Baum, indicated that the prosecution is likely to end soon, as he does not anticipate Siders' mental health improving. "He doesn't fully understand or appreciate what's going on," Baum said.
Siders faces 16 counts of child endangerment related to the children, who ranged in age from 18 months to 18 years when they were rescued on June 30 from a dilapidated home in Hamden. He is the only adult charged in connection with the case who is currently out of jail, having been released for hospitalization due to an unspecified medical condition, which his son-in-law stated was a stroke. He is currently under GPS monitoring.
Baum has expressed concerns about Siders' mental well-being since his initial court appearance, noting memory problems and an inability to provide direct answers. Baum suggested it was a "travesty" that Siders had been jailed in his condition.
Four other adults have been charged in the case: Siders' wife, Christina Siders, 67, faces 19 counts of child endangerment; their son, Gary Siders Jr., 36; and his wife, Elizabeth Siders, 33, also face multiple child endangerment charges. All have pleaded not guilty. Two other family members are facing separate charges related to child sex abuse.
Authorities began investigating the Siders family for child sex abuse, which led to the discovery of the children living in what investigators described as "third world" conditions. The children were found in a home covered in feces, with State Attorney General Andy Wilson describing the situation as "pure evil" and conditions "unimaginable."
Previous investigations into Gary Siders Jr. and Elizabeth Siders by children's services as early as January 2020 raised concerns about their children's health and education. A caseworker noted issues including lead poisoning, insect infestations, poor hygiene, and developmental delays. Despite these concerns and court orders for protective supervision, a judge closed the case in November 2020 after the parents reportedly made progress on case plans. However, evaluations were stalled by the COVID-19 pandemic.