Attorney for mom accused in Ohio 'House of Horrors' makes unexpected comment about 16 kids amid claims they were 'left to rot'

The attorney representing the mother accused in the Ohio "House of Horrors" case has disputed some of the claims circulating about the family.

Elizabeth Siders is one of four family members charged after police found 16 children inside a home in Hamden, Ohio.

She, along with her husband, Gary Siders Jr., and Gary Siders Sr., and Christina Siders, have been charged with 16 counts of child endangerment. All four have pleaded not guilty.

Speaking to WBNS10, Elizabeth's attorney, Tommy Stolley, shared details of his first meeting with his client and challenged how the case has been portrayed online.

"There's been no evidence to suggest that the children were locked or forced to remain in the 12 by 12 room. I think this is one of the things that's been really sensationalized by the internet."

Elizabeth Siders is one of four family members charged after police found 16 children inside a home in Hamden, Ohio. Credit: Southern Ohio Regional Jail

Lawyer says children had access to phones and social media

Stolley said the mom told him that her kids had phones, with one of the older children using social media and even having "inside jokes."

"I think the big thing with that is it doesn't jive with the way that this case has been characterised in the public," Stolley said. "When you use language like feral kids, you're imagining people that have been isolated away from human contact."

"People who have never interacted with any sort of social media, with the internet, with humans outside of their own home, or even humans in general, who completely lack the ability to use language."

"There's nothing to suggest that that is the case here," he added.

Although Stolley said he had not met the children himself, he revealed the first question Elizabeth asked after he introduced himself "was about her kids" and whether they "were OK."

Elizabeth told the lawyer all 16 children are hers and that she married Gary Siders Jr. when she was just 15 years old. Credit: Southern Ohio Regional Jail

Elizabeth said she and her husband wanted a big family

The lawyer said he believes all 16 children, who range in age from 18 months to 18 years old, are Elizabeth's and Gary Jr.'s.

According to the attorney, Elizabeth "repeatedly" told him that she and her husband "wanted a big family."

"She said that kids are a gift from God and that she was open to that," he added.

It has previously emerged that the mom married Gary in 2008 when she was 15 years old and seven months pregnant.

Mason County records show her parents, Brian Ray Russell and Lori Ann Raines, consented to the marriage.

Gary Siders Sr., 73, was released. Credit: Vinton County Sheriff’s Office

Grandfather released after medical emergency

The latest developments come after Vinton County Prosecutor William Archer announced on Wednesday (July 8) that Siders Sr. had been released on a recognizance bond following a medical emergency while being transported to a preliminary hearing.

Archer said Siders "fell and had a medical issue that required treatment and assessment."

Doctors later determined he had a "serious medical condition" requiring treatment outside the county.

"We were not going to put that burden on our taxpayers, and so it was agreed that we would do a recognizance bond so he could get the medical treatment that the doctors say he needs and won't cost the county that money," Archer said. "If he's released from then, he will then be equipped with a GPS monitor."

A recognizance bond allows a defendant to be released from jail without paying cash bail.

Stolley has also filed a motion seeking to modify Elizabeth's $300,000 bond to a recognizance bond, arguing that she cannot afford to pay it.

Featured image credit: Southern Ohio Regional Jail