Records Reveal New Family Tragedy as Ohio Child Neglect Investigation Grows

Newly released records show the children's mother previously gave birth to conjoined twins who died shortly after birth, as authorities continue investigating the case involving 16 children.

Andrew PowellJul 8, 20263 min read

Child neglectOhioU.S. News

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Attorney General Andy Wilson described the investigation as an "intra-family case," adding that it remains unclear whether Elizabeth Siders and Gary Siders Jr. are the parents of all 16 children.

Authorities said none of the children had been enrolled in school. Several reportedly struggled to communicate, while some were unable to speak.

Investigators also said the oldest child, 18, has developmental disabilities and could not write her own name.

Following the rescue, the children were transported to hospitals across Ohio for medical evaluations.

Officials said several were in serious condition, including two who were flown to trauma centers and at least one child who required intubation.

The family's extended relatives say they were stunned by what investigators uncovered.

Ronnie Fletcher, who is married to one of the grandparents' adult daughters, told WOWK 13 that family members believed the couple had around 10 children and had no idea 16 children were living inside the home.

"If we would have known that it was like that in that home, we would have done something about it," Fletcher said.

Court records list the children's ages as 18, 16, 15, 14, 13, 11, 10, 8, 6, 5, 4-year-old twins, 2-year-old twins and 1-year-old twins.

All four defendants have pleaded not guilty to 16 counts of child endangerment.

They waived preliminary hearings this week after a judge set bond at $300,000 each.

If convicted on every count, each could face a maximum sentence of up to 192 years in prison.

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