A Dollar General employee has described her encounters with members of the Ohio family at the center of a Child neglect investigation, saying the conditions she observed before the children were rescued continue to haunt her.
According to LAD Bible, authorities recently discovered 16 children living inside a home in Vinton County under what officials described as shocking conditions.
The children, who range in age from 18 months to 18 years, were found in a room covered in feces, and investigators said several were unable to speak.
Ariel Gutierrez, who worked at a nearby Dollar General frequented by the family, said the Siders family often visited the store shortly before closing to purchase items such as water, vegetable oil, and sugar.
Gutierrez told WSYX ABC 6 that she usually saw only one child accompany the adults during those visits. She said the children appeared malnourished and withdrawn.
"Ghost white, didn't have no weight on their body and they had their hair over their face, like to block out the outside world to not see them," she said.
She also recalled a detail that has stayed with her since learning about the investigation.
"The smell will never leave my mind," Gutierrez said. "Like they could have left the store five minutes ago, and the store would still smell."
Gutierrez said employees offered hygiene products to the family on multiple occasions, but the offers were never accepted.
Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson also described the conditions inside the home as unlike anything he had encountered.
"They were in conditions you cannot even imagine people being in, let alone children being in. It was terrible. They looked like almost feral animals," Wilson said.
Vinton County Sheriff Ryan Cain echoed those remarks, saying, "Most of our livestock was kept in better conditions than the children. Just a disgusting scene."
Officials said none of the children had been enrolled in school. Investigators also said the oldest child, an 18-year-old, could not spell her own name.
Two children were flown to a hospital, including one reported to be in critical condition.
Authorities arrested Gary Siders Sr., Gary Siders Jr., Christina Siders, and Elizabeth Siders. Each is being held on a $300,000 cash bond and faces 17 counts of child endangerment.
Gutierrez said she regrets not contacting authorities sooner.
"I'm sorry, I should have said something sooner," she said. "I'm praying, and I know they're in better conditions now."
Vinton County Prosecutor William Archer vowed to pursue the case aggressively.
"Our children deserve better from their parents, guardians, and custodians," Archer said. "No child should endure these kinds of conditions."