16 children rescued from Ohio home after four years confined to a single room; parents and grandparents charged
Sixteen children were rescued from a rural Ohio home where they had been confined to a single room for four years, authorities said. Four adults have been charged with felony child endangerment.
On June 30, 2026, sheriff's deputies in Vinton County, Ohio were executing a search warrant in an unrelated investigation when they entered a home in the small village of Hamden (population about 200). Inside, they found 16 children, ranging in age from 1.5 to 18 years old, confined primarily to a single room measuring roughly 12 feet by 12 feet. The children had been living in what authorities described as "deplorable conditions" with human faeces and a high presence of bacteria. The children appeared malnourished and unbathed; some were unable to speak and moved like "feral animals," according to Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson.
Conditions and charges
All 16 children are from the same family, and authorities stressed the case is an intra-family situation, not human trafficking. The four adults, Gary Siders Jr., Gary Siders Sr., Christina Siders and Elizabeth Siders, were each charged with 16 counts of second-degree felony child endangerment involving "serious physical harm," according to Vinton County Prosecutor William Archer. At a Wednesday arraignment, a judge entered not guilty pleas on their behalf and set bond at $300,000 for each defendant.
Most of our livestock was kept in better conditions than the children.
Medical response
Seven of the children were taken directly to hospitals in Columbus, and two more were airlifted to level-one trauma centers by helicopter. One child was in critical condition and required intubation. Medical staff noted significant neglect: some of the children could not speak, and an 18-year-old who was developmentally disabled could not even spell her name. The children, who had no known enrollment in school or civil registrations, were all hospitalised.
Official and community shock
The scene left veteran law enforcement officials deeply shaken. Wilson said it was the worst he had witnessed in his career.
What we saw down here today is pure evil.
He added that nearly 24 hours later he still could not get the smell off of him. Governor Mike DeWine called the situation "heartbreaking" and said the Ohio Department of Children and Youth was working with local services. Neighbors expressed disbelief that so many children could remain hidden in their midst.
They looked like almost feral animals. It was terrible.
- Police execute search warrant unrelated to children; discover 16 children in squalid room.
- Seven children taken to hospitals; two airlifted to trauma centers.
- Four adults formally charged with 16 counts of felony child endangerment.
- Arraignment held; not guilty pleas entered, bond set at $300,000 per defendant.
