16 children removed from Hamden home in child endangering case

Authorities removed 16 children from a Hamden home and arrested four adults after executing a search warrant at 182 Ohmer Street on Tuesday, June 30. The conditions inside were horrific and deplorable, and Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson called them “pure evil.”

Gary Siders Sr., Gary Siders Jr., Christina Siders and Elizabeth Siders were each charged with 17 counts of child endangering, a second-degree felony. Wilson, Vinton County Sheriff Ryan Cain and Prosecutor William Archer outlined the case at a Tuesday evening briefing at the sheriff’s office. The response involved the sheriff’s office, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Vinton County EMS, Jackson County EMS, Child Protective Services, the Vinton County Emergency Management Agency and local fire departments.

The children ranged in age from about 18 months to 18 years old. Every child was taken for medical treatment at different hospitals, and two were flown to Level 1 trauma centers because of the severity of their conditions. Several of the children were in serious condition, and all were being medically evaluated as the state worked on next steps for their care.

The Ohio Department of Children and Youth also stepped in. Director Kara Wente was assisting Vinton County Children’s Services as local welfare workers handled placements for the children.

Archer said the four suspects were not from Vinton County. The case is being investigated as child endangering, not human trafficking, after rumors spread online.