US3 min(s) read
A major new update has been shared in the Ohio House of Horrors case, after four adults were arrested when 16 children were rescued from the home.
As previously reported, 16 children aged between 18 months and 18 years old, were discovered and rescued after spending at least four years “kept in worse conditions than livestock” in June.
The children's father, Gary Siders Jr., 36, mother Elizabeth Siders, 33, and grandparents Gary Siders Sr., 73, and Christina Siders, 77, were arrested and charged with 16 counts of child endangerment, with all four pleading not guilty.
Now, according to reports from People, Gary Siders Sr., the children's grandfather, has been declared incompetent to stand trial.
The 73-year-old was found mentally incompetent on Wednesday, September 9, after a Vinton County judge accepted the findings of a mental evaluation, per the Associated Press. Vinton County Prosecutor William Archer did not challenge the results.
Following the hearing, Siders Sr's attorney Dorian Baum revealed that the grandfather's mental health had been declining for several years, claiming it is "not restorable".
Baum added: "It’s not really a surprise to any of us that he’s not been found competent at this point. He doesn’t fully understand or appreciate what’s going on."
Baum had asked the court in July to evaluate Siders Sr., who is facing 16 child-endangerment charges, felonies and misdemeanors, in connection with the case, to determine whether he was fit to face trial or could be found not guilty by reason of insanity.
The evaluation was ordered the following day, and took place on September 9, per a docket seen by the outlet.
The 16 children rescued from the home were found living in what Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson described as “deplorable” conditions, with some of the children needing medical treatment, with two of them airlifted to trauma centers because their injuries were so severe.
It was revealed during a press conference that the children, who had issues with communication, appeared like "almost feral animals."
Vinton County Sheriff Ryan Cain added: "They can communicate, but it’s extremely limited, and some, not at all."
All four adults had pleaded not guilty and sought mental competency evaluations. Siders Sr. was later released for medical reasons, while the other three remain in custody.
The 16 children have been placed in the custody of Vinton County, with South Central Ohio Job & Family Services overseeing their care.
Officials have said all of the children will need treatment after their "traumatic upbringing", with the state of Ohio providing the county with $1 million in emergency funds to help care for the children for an extended period of therapeutic foster care.
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