The Ohio couple accused of keeping 16 children in horrific conditions in what was dubbed ‘house of horrors’ now face separate charges tied to alleged sexual abuse of a young relative.
Elizabeth Siders, 33, and Gary Siders Jr., 37, are facing new, horrifying charges involving a young relative. The couple and the parents of Gary Jr. already made national headlines back in June when investigators found 16 children living at their property in Hamden, Ohio in absolutely horrifying conditions.
The children were reportedly crammed into a room just 12 feet by 12 feet for years. Officials said the home had no proper sanitation and was littered with human waste.
Some of the younger children could barely talk and the oldest reportedly didn’t know how to spell her own name.
More charges roll in for Elizabeth and Gary Jr.
Elizabeth and Gary Jr. are now facing two new charges each: third-degree sexual battery and unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.
This isn’t connected to the child endangerment case, it’s a different set of allegations entirely.
Prosecutors say the abuse happened between January and September 2022. The alleged victim was a minor, at least 10 years younger than the couple. Officials confirmed the child isn’t an immediate family member.
All four defendants have pleaded not guilty to the original child endangerment charges.
How the 16 children were found
The sexual abuse investigation actually started back in March. Investigators were pursuing a separate case when they collected a DNA sample from Gary Jr.
While searching the house on warrants tied to the other case, they ended up at the Ohmer Street house and found the 16 children.
Officials stress the alleged abuse involved family relations, not strangers, and thus isn’t considered a threat to the wider public.
Officials fear this is just the latest step
“These indictments are the latest developments in the ongoing investigations, but our work is far from complete” Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson said and added: “BCI is actively investigating these cases alongside the Vinton County Sheriff’s Office, and my office will continue to support Prosecuting Attorney William Archer as the legal process continues.”
Vinton County Prosecutor William Archer also gave credit to the Dollar General clerks who noticed something wasn’t right with the Siders family who frequented the store and eventually called it in.
READ MORE:
- New footage shows chilling reaction of Ohio’s “House of Horrors” mom in jail after her arrest
- Two words reveal how Siders family niece saw the father of 16 Ohio children living in ‘house of horrors’
