VINTON COUNTY, Ohio (TCN) — One of the four adult defendants accused of child endangerment in a case where 16 children were rescued from a squalid home has been deemed incompetent to stand trial.
Sixteen children, ranging in age from 1 to 18, were found in a home authorities deemed “horrific” when police arrived to serve one of the adults in the home an arrest warrant for unrelated charges in late June.
The children were allegedly confined to a single room in the home and lived like “feral animals,” according to Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson. The children’s father, 36-year-old Gary Siders Jr.; mother, 33-year-old Elizabeth Siders; grandmother, 68-year-old Christina Siders; and grandfather, 73-year-old Gary Siders Sr., were arrested and charged with multiple counts of child endangerment.
As of Aug. 4, Gary Siders Sr. was released on recognizance following an illness. His attorney, Dorian Baum, said, “The jail would have potentially bankrupted the county as a result of his significant medical issues. … I think it’s apparent to anybody that he had significant physical limitations,” WSYX reported. Baum also alleged Siders Sr. had experienced cognitive decline and did not serve as a caregiver in the home.
According to Attorney General Wilson’s office, Gary Jr., Christina, and Elizabeth Siders were each indicted on 19 counts of child endangerment and Gary Siders Sr. was indicted on 16 counts of child endangerment on Aug. 21.
According to The Associated Press, Siders Sr. was deemed incompetent to stand trial on Sept. 9. In court, Baum said, “It’s not really a surprise to any of us that he’s not been found competent at this point. … He doesn’t fully understand or appreciate what’s going on.”
WCMH reports the full results of the forensic examiner’s competency report have been sealed for privacy. Baum said, “The prosecution against him is very likely coming to a very quick end.”
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