Ohio allocates $1 million for 16 rescued siblings in Vinton County

The state of Ohio will provide $1 million to Vinton County to support 16 siblings rescued from a house in Hampden that was filled with waste and described by officials as “almost feral.” The children, aged 18 months to 18 years, had never attended school and displayed limited communication abilities. The funding request from the Ohio Department of Children and Youth aims to cover placement costs—estimated at $150‑$250 per child per day, roughly $850 000 annually—as well as court fees and police overtime linked to the case.

Parents and grandparents face 68 felony child‑endangerment charges, and prosecutors are considering long prison terms. Grandfather Gary Siders Sr., held on a $300 000 cash bond, was released on his own recognizance to avoid a potential $100 000+ medical bill that could have bankrupted the county. The rescue doubled the number of children in temporary custody for Vinton County, a rural area of about 12 600 residents. State officials are also exploring the creation of a trust to manage donations for the siblings’ ongoing care.