Authorities had multiple opportunities to intervene before 16 children were rescued from deplorable conditions in their Ohio home, according to newly released court records.
Elizabeth and Gary Siders Jr. faced three investigations by children's services within two years, stemming from concerns over their children's educational neglect and potential abuse. These probes began as early as January 2020 at the family's previous homes in Gallia County. Records show some of the children exhibited significant developmental delays, with one 11-year-old identified as a non-reader and a four-year-old unable to speak clearly.
Early Investigations and Concerns
In December 2020, Gallia County Family Services initiated an investigation after four children were diagnosed with high levels of lead in their systems and the parents failed to ensure follow-up medical appointments. A caseworker reported observing insect infestations, including cockroaches, flies, and gnats, in the family's Cheshire home. One child was found covered in bites and scratches, and a doctor noted concerns about the children's odor and the poor condition of their teeth.
The caseworker also reported bruising on one child's thigh and another child exhibiting signs of distress. The parents and children reportedly lacked consistent hygiene. The affidavit also stated that the parents initially blocked the caseworker from seeing the children, claiming they were asleep, which raised further concerns about possible abuse or severe neglect.
Previous to this, in January 2020, an investigation focused on a seven-year-old child's significant developmental delays while enrolled in a digital home-school program. A caseworker noted the child's inability to speak in complete sentences or initiate conversation and a lack of pediatrician visits for developmental concerns. Another child, aged 13, had not completed any schoolwork from the online academy before being withdrawn in February 2020. Concerns were also raised by the school about the low academic performance of three other Siders children, aged 9, 11, and 12.
Court Oversight and Case Closures
In both neglect and dependency complaints filed in January and March 2020, authorities requested court orders for protective supervision. However, Gallia County Juvenile Court Judge Thomas S. Moulton Jr. ruled that the children could remain with their parents under protective supervision, provided the adults completed case plans. In August 2020, the court heard that the parents had made progress on their case plan, including parenting classes, but evaluations were stalled by the COVID-19 pandemic. The judge closed the first case and terminated protective supervision in October 2020. The second case was closed and protective supervision ended on June 15, 2021, after the parents completed their case plans.
Renewed Truancy Issues and Disappearance
In October 2021, four months after the second case was closed, six of the Siders children were labeled habitual truants for missing school. Complaints filed with the Gallia County Juvenile Court stated the children had been absent without legitimate excuse for the entire academic year. Months later, the same judge closed this case, noting the Siders family could not be found as they had left the state.
Arrests and Indictments
In June, 16 children were discovered living in squalid conditions in their Hamden, Ohio home. This discovery led to the arrest of Elizabeth and Gary Siders Jr., their paternal grandparents Christina and Gary Siders Sr., and two other individuals, Brandon Henderson and Josh Saunders III. The children were placed in state foster care.
Elizabeth and Gary Siders Jr. have been indicted on felony sex charges, including sexual battery and unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, as well as 19 child endangerment charges. They have pleaded not guilty to the initial charges, and Gary Jr. has pleaded not guilty to the new indictments. Elizabeth has yet to be arraigned on the sex charges. The children's grandparents, Christina and Gary Siders Sr., have also been indicted on child endangerment charges and have pleaded not guilty to the initial complaints. Christina Siders has been indicted on 19 counts and Gary Siders Sr. on 16 counts.
Brandon Henderson and Josh Saunders III also face multiple charges, including rape, gross sexual imposition, sexual battery, and child endangerment. Both have pleaded not guilty. Authorities began investigating alleged child sex abuse, which led them to seek Gary Jr.'s DNA, ultimately leading to the discovery of the children in the Hamden home.