Ohio Judge Drops Charges Against Grandfather in 'House of Horrors' Case
Gary Siders Sr. faced child endangerment charges related to 16 children found living in squalor; his medical care costs could bankrupt the county.
A Vinton County judge has dismissed child endangerment charges against Gary Siders Sr., 73, who was accused in a case involving 16 children found living in deplorable conditions. The dismissal came after a psychologist determined Siders was mentally incompetent to stand trial.
Authorities in the rural southern Ohio county raised concerns that the cost of Siders' required medical care could bankrupt the local government. Vinton County Prosecutor William Archer stated that based on medical test results, Siders has a serious condition requiring specialized care outside the area.
Siders Sr. had been held in county jail on $300,000 bond. He previously faced 10 felony and six misdemeanor child endangerment charges. The case involves 16 children described as "almost feral" who were found in a home with severe neglect and unsanitary conditions.
His hospitalization in July occurred after he fell while being transported from jail to a preliminary court hearing. At the time, Archer noted that the county would be responsible for Siders' medical bills, which could potentially lead to bankruptcy for Vinton County.
To avoid this financial burden, a decision was made to change Siders Sr.'s bond conditions to ensure he received medical treatment without incurring costs for the county. The charges were dismissed without prejudice, meaning they could be refiled at a later date. Siders Sr. is to remain under the court's jurisdiction pending the filing of a civil commitment in county probate court.
In addition to Siders Sr., his wife Christina Sanders, 67; son Gary Siders Jr., 36; and daughter-in-law Elizabeth Siders, 33, also faced child endangerment charges. Collectively, the family faced 68 felony charges after the children were discovered on June 30.
