New details have emerged in the case of an Ohio woman facing charges of child endangerment after 16 children were found living in horrific conditions in her home earlier this year.
Christina Siders, 67, was arrested along with three other family members — Gary Siders Jr, Gary Siders Sr, and Elizabeth Siders — in July, following a search of the property Hamden. She was charged with 19 counts of child endangerment.
Officials said that the 16 children present, who ranged in age from 18 months to 18 years, ‘looked like feral animals’ in some cases, while others were unable to speak when they were found.
However, Christina Siders’ lawyer Kendra Roberts is now arguing that she ‘posed no threat to anyone’ and was left responsible for financially supporting all 16 children as well as the adults after her son and his wife decided to move into her home.
People reports that Roberts — who is trying to get Siders’ bail bond of $300,000 modified — also said that she has ‘never been previously charged with a single criminal offense’ and therefore could not be considered a flight risk.
‘Defendant was the only adult in the home who had long been providing for all the other adults and all the children residing in her home,’ Roberts said, adding that Christina had also been responsible for paying rent and bills as well as all other essentials.
She alleged that Christina had, at the same time, been providing medical care for her husband while neglecting her own needs.
‘[Christina] requires medical treatment related to her mental condition and many documented medical diagnoses, all of which can best be addressed while defendant is not incarcerated in jail,’ Roberts explained.
According to WOWK 13, court records have indicated that Christina could have dementia, with Roberts saying that she should undergo a full neurological evaluation to determine this, and that the courts should pay the $7,000 cost of the treatment.
The judge has stated she will take the request regarding Christina’s bond into consideration. The grandmother pleaded not guilty to all charges in a court appearance on September 25.
Meanwhile Christina’s husband Gary Siders Sr had his bond dismissed by the judge, on the basis that he would not likely survive if he fled due to his complex medical needs.
A request for a reduced bond in the case of Elizabeth Siders — who was hopeful of being reunited with her children in this instance — was turned down on the basis she could pose ‘a potential threat to the victims in this case’.
Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson has said she and her husband Gary Siders II are also facing charges over an investigation which claims they ‘engaged in sexual conduct with a minor more than 10 years younger than their own age’.
In the case of the Hamden property, referred to as the ‘house of horrors’, investigators were confronted by scenes that were difficult even for seasoned officers to process.
It was described as ‘conditions you cannot even imagine people being in, let alone children being in’.
Sheriff Ryan Cain said the home was littered with human faeces and investigators believe the children had been kept in a small room for nearly four years.
He said the conditions were so poor that ‘most of our livestock was kept in better conditions than the children’.
Prosecuting attorney William Archer said the charges were brought because prosecutors allege that the parents and grandparents were responsible for causing ‘serious physical harm’. He said that no child should ever have to endure those kinds of living conditions.
Archer added: ‘Our children deserve better from their parents, guardians and custodians. My office will do everything in our power to make sure these children get the love and care they deserve.’
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