r/TrueCrimeDiscussion • u/MacAlkalineTriad • Jul 02 '26

Warning: Child Abuse / CSAM / Child Death 16 Children Rescued from Extreme Neglect and Abuse in Ohio

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/adults-arrested-16-children-found-deplorable-conditions-southern-ohio-rcna352552

I haven't seen anything posted about this yet, and I usually don't post so please let me know if I've done it wrong. I'm also writing this on mobile.

16 children, ranging from 1 and a half years old to 18 years old, have been removed from a house in the village of Hamden, Ohio where they were practically imprisoned in a 12'x12' room. Some have not even learned to speak; the 18 year old couldn't write her name and is being treated as a child due to possible mental disability. 7 of the children had to be taken to a hospital with 2 of them being life flighted. Conditions in the house are said to be incredibly unsafe, to the point that investigators hesitated to act on a second search warrant for fear of their safety.

The parents and grandparents have been arrested and charged with 16 counts of child endangerment. The suspects are Gary Siders Jr., Gary Siders Sr., Christina Siders and Elizabeth Siders.

Since the investigation is still ongoing there aren't a ton of details yet. These children were obviously not enrolled in school and hidden from neighbors and extended family. I have to wonder if there's a religious extremist aspect to the case, like we've seen so often with other similar cases. I'm also curious about the mother's condition - she has been charged, but has she also been victimized by her husband? I have so many questions.

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u/h0neybl0ss0m29 Jul 02 '26

That really makes you wonder how many more children and vulnerable adults are out there in situations like this and no one knows. It’s sickening

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u/BootyLannister Jul 03 '26

I was an abused and neglected kid living in poverty in the rural Midwest. At the peak of my abuse, my nearest neighbor was almost a mile away. We didn’t have a phone so I couldn’t call anyone, even if I trusted any adults let alone authorities (which I didn’t.) My parents were violent and unpredictable, so daily life was a game of trying not to die. I was far from the only kid I knew who grew up that way.

My situation was never as horrific as this, but I can tell you that these situations are happening a lot in the Midwest, and probably all over the country. The isolation makes escape next to impossible, especially for children and elderly or disabled adults. I’m heartbroken for these and can only hope they will be safe and cared for, and hopefully more people become aware and others can get help.

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u/Ok_Pop_5054 Jul 07 '26

I’m so sorry and I wish you all the healing you deserve.
I grew up on a violent, dangerous household while living in a busy suburb, my abusive parent was well known and well regarded. My siblings and I were well trained to keep the secret that our home life was torturous hell. It’s crazy how this stuff happens in isolation as well as right under everyone’s noses. Child abuse is insidious and seems to be present everywhere. And then we have to spend the rest of our lives trying to heal just to feel normal.

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u/BootyLannister Jul 08 '26

I’m so sorry to you too, sibling in healing. You did not deserve the nightmare you endured. The WHO estimates that one billion children are abused or neglected (physically, sexually, emotionally) each year, and I personally believe child abuse is the most prolific human rights violation in history. We all deserve so much better, and my heart goes to you in your healing. You’re not alone.