An Ohio woman whose 16 children were discovered living in a home filled with feces and deplorable conditions has pleaded not guilty to nearly two dozen criminal charges, including child endangerment and sexual misconduct involving a minor.
Elizabeth Siders, 34, appeared Wednesday in Vinton County court for her arraignment, entering not guilty pleas to 19 counts of child endangerment. She also denied two counts each of sexual battery and unlawful sexual conduct with a minor in a separate case.
Prosecutors allege the children were found in horrific living conditions during a June 30 search of the family’s home, with some of the children reportedly unable to speak. All 16 kids, ranging in age from 18 months to 18 years old, were taken into state custody following the discovery.
Elizabeth was arrested the same day as her husband Gary Siders Jr., 36, and his parents Gary Siders Sr., 73, and Christina Siders, 68. All four face child endangerment charges stemming from the conditions inside the home.
A grand jury handed down indictments on August 21, also charging Gary Jr. and Elizabeth with sexual battery and unlawful sexual conduct involving a minor between the ages of 13 and 16 in 2022. Prosecutors say the victim was not one of their children but that Elizabeth was acting in a parental role over the minor at the time.
Her defense attorney Thomas Stolly argued that Elizabeth herself may be a victim, noting she was married at age 15 and had been pregnant for much of the past two decades with little access to medical care. A competency evaluation previously requested for Elizabeth is still pending.
The judge ordered Elizabeth to have no contact with her children, her husband or the minor victim. Her bond was set at $250,000 on top of an existing $300,000 bond from the child endangerment case. She remained jailed as of Thursday.
Gary Siders Jr. pleaded not guilty to all charges on August 26 and also remains behind bars. His attorney cited a gag order and declined to comment.
Gary Siders Sr. was found incompetent to stand trial last week. His attorney told the Associated Press that the elderly man’s mental health has been deteriorating for years and is considered unrestorable. Christina Siders entered a not guilty plea to the initial charges and is awaiting arraignment on the grand jury indictment with a bond hearing scheduled for Monday.
If you suspect a child is being abused call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 800-422-4453 or visit www.childhelphotline.org.