Ohio mother charged with child endangerment after 16 children rescued from deplorable home

Elizabeth Siders, a 33‑year‑old Ohio mother, along with her husband Gary Siders Jr. and his parents, has been charged with 16 counts of second‑degree child endangerment after authorities rescued 16 children, ages 1 to 18, from a cramped, feces‑filled room in Hamden, Ohio. The children were removed to hospitals, with several in serious condition; two were air‑lifted to Level 1 trauma centers.

Siders’ lawyer has asked that she be allowed to leave jail on recognizance bond to reunite with the children, arguing she poses no threat now that they are no longer in her care. A judge has not yet ruled on the request. The defendants are being held on $300,000 bonds. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Attorney General Andy Wilson called the conditions “pure evil” and “the worst they have ever seen.” The case is proceeding in Vinton County Court of Common Pleas.