The presumed mother of 16 children rescued from deplorable conditions in a rural Ohio home has expressed a strong desire to be reunited with them, according to court filings. Elizabeth Siders, 33, was arrested on June 30 and charged with 16 counts of endangering children, a second-degree felony, along with her husband, Gary Siders Jr., 36, and her in-laws, Gary Siders Sr., 73, and Christina 'Lynn' Siders, 66.
Authorities discovered the children in a squalid 12ft by 12ft room filled with feces in a small house in Hamden, Ohio. Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson described the scene as "pure evil" and conditions "you cannot even imagine people being in, let alone children being in."
Since her arrest, Elizabeth Siders' primary request has been to see her children, according to her attorney, J. Thomas Stolly. Stolly submitted a court filing stating that his client's "principal desire (is) to reunite with her children" and that she understands reunification is impossible if she does not appear in court. The attorney is seeking a recognizance bond for Siders, arguing she has no prior criminal history and would cooperate with law enforcement. He also contends she poses no threat to the children as they are not in her care and that her vested interest lies in cooperation to clear her name and be reunited with them.
Stolly has also argued that Siders' $300,000 bond is excessive, violating the Eighth Amendment, given her circumstances of living in extreme poverty. He noted that Elizabeth was 15 years old and seven months pregnant when she married Gary Siders Jr., then 18, in West Virginia in 2008. Court records indicate they lived near each other in Ohio at the time. The eldest child involved in the current case was born shortly after their marriage.
Gary Siders Sr., Elizabeth's father-in-law, has had his bond changed to a recognizance bond due to hospitalization. Vinton County Prosecutor William Archer stated that the elderly man's hospitalization made the county responsible for medical bills, which could have been a financial burden. If released from the hospital, Gary Siders Sr. will be required to wear a GPS monitor.
All 16 children, ranging in age from 18 months to 18 years old, are reported to be safe and receiving care, though officials have not released further details due to privacy concerns. Some of the children were found in serious condition, with two requiring transport to trauma centers. Investigators noted that some children were unable to speak, and the eldest, who was developmentally disabled, could not write her name. Investigators believe some of the children may have resulted from sexual relations with relatives, though they have not elaborated further. Authorities have stated the investigation is not a human trafficking case and does not pose an ongoing danger to the wider community.
Investigators have indicated that the Siders family has resided in multiple Ohio counties since 2008, reportedly avoiding the establishment of medical or government records.
A judge has yet to rule on the requests regarding Elizabeth Siders' bond.
