Ohio Man Found Mentally Incompetent as 16 Grandchildren Rescued from Squalor

A judge in Vinton County has determined that Gary Siders Sr., whose 16 grandchildren were found in dire conditions in a rural Ohio home, cannot stand trial due to his mental state. The court accepted an evaluation report citing his mental incompetence. Vinton County Prosecutor William Archer did not contest these findings.

The 73-year-old appeared in court in a wheelchair. His attorney, Dorian Baum, stated that Siders’ mental health has been worsening for years and is “not restorable.” Baum noted, “It’s not surprising that he’s been found incompetent at this point. He doesn’t fully understand or appreciate what’s going on.”

Siders faced 16 charges of child endangerment related to the grandchildren, who were rescued on June 30 from a home in Hamden, approximately 80 miles south of Columbus. His wife, Christina Siders, his son, Gary Siders Jr., and daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Siders, the mother of the children, have entered not guilty pleas.

Authorities discovered the children during a search for an unrelated investigation. They found the children largely confined to a small room in unsanitary conditions. The children ranged in age from 18 months to 18 years, with some showing signs of developmental issues, including being unable to speak.

“Most of our livestock was kept in better conditions than the children,” Vinton County Sheriff Ryan Cain remarked at a July 2 news conference, describing the scene as contaminated with bacteria and human waste.

Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson commented on the severity of the situation, comparing some of the children to “feral animals.” He highlighted the case of the 18-year-old who could not spell her name. Wilson emphasized the need to ensure the children’s safety and proper placement while holding those responsible accountable.

The children’s plight had been hidden, with authorities saying the family effectively kept the children out of public view. The eldest child, born in May 2008, came into the world two months after Gary Siders Jr., then 18, and Elizabeth, then 15, married in West Virginia with parental consent. Records revealed Elizabeth had been frequently pregnant in the years that followed.