Authorities in southern Ohio have arrested four adults on felony child endangerment charges after discovering 16 children living in what officials described as “deplorable” conditions in a rural home. The children, ranging in age from 1.5 to 18 years old, were found in dire need of medical treatment on Tuesday.
The Ohio Bureau of Investigation, along with the local sheriff’s department, executed a search warrant at a residence in the small village of Hamden, about 60 miles southeast of Columbus. Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson called the scene “pure evil” and said it was the worst he had encountered in his career.
“Conditions you cannot even imagine people being in, let alone children being in,” Wilson said at a news conference.
Law enforcement arrested Gary Siders Jr., Gary Siders Sr., Christina Siders, and Elizabeth Siders. They have not yet been arraigned and have been assigned public defenders. Vinton County prosecuting attorney William Archer said they face second-degree felony child endangering charges because the case involves “serious physical harm.”
Officials did not confirm if the children were related but stated it was not a human trafficking situation. The adults were not locals and appeared to have been traveling. Several children were in serious condition when found, and two had to be flown to level one trauma centers due to their injuries.
Law enforcement was also executing a secondary search warrant at the home Tuesday, and the investigation remains ongoing. The four adults are scheduled to appear in court Wednesday morning.
“Justice will be served for these children,” Wilson said.
