Disturbing twist in ‘16 feral kids’ case as SECOND horror home discovered ‘covered in waste with secret attic’

TROUBLING details have emerged about the four adults arrested on child endangerment charges, as it’s revealed the family left a second home in horrific conditions. The deplorable conditions uncovered at the Siders family‘s home in Hamden, Ohio, may have been the tip of the iceberg, as it has emerged that their previous home about 10 miles away was filled with human feces. Clockwise starting at top left, Gary Siders Sr., Christine Siders, Elizabeth Siders and Gary Siders II Credit: AP The home in Gallia County where the Siders family resided from 2020 to 2024 Credit: WSYX Gary Siders Sr., 73, Christina Siders, 66, Gary Siders II, 36, and Elizabeth Siders, 33, were arrested on June 30 after authorities said they found 16 children, described as almost like “feral animals,” living in a 12-feet-by-12-feet room under their care. Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson was aghast when explaining the conditions of the home, describing it as “pure evil.” Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Vinton County Sheriff Ryan Cain said the children were unable to speak, adding that “our livestock was kept in better conditions.” Investigators said the Siders family “bounced around” often before settling in Hamden in Vinton County, roughly 80 miles southeast of Columbus. Records now show the family previously lived at a home in Gallia County, about 10 miles south of Hamden, between 2020 and 2024, according to ABC affiliate WSYX. Melissa Edmonds lived next to the Siders but couldn’t remember much about the reclusive family or the children. “We did not know they had even left for quite a while,” Edmonds told the outlet. “It was kind of just an empty house, I guess, left a message and not really in that great of condition.” Most read in The Sun Like most of their neighbors who have spoken out, Edmonds also said she never saw any of Siders II or Elizabeth’s children. However, Edmonds recalled that her nephew played with some of the children one summer. “My sister-in-law told me that their kids had talked to them, but they didn’t know them either,” she added. “They didn’t hang out with him or anything. Possibly in 2021 or summer 2022, somewhere in that area.” It’s unclear when the Siders departed the home in Gallia County, but property records showed a new owner purchased the property in May. Bruce Gullick was spotted making renovations at the home and described the vile conditions he found. “A lot of kids’ clothes in the attic stuffed away like someone was living up there,” Gullick told WSYX. “The whole entire house was just urine, human and pet feces, so it was pretty tough.” Police tape surrounds the Siders’ home in Hamden, Ohio, where authorities removed 16 children Credit: AP Melissa Edmonds lived next to the Siders family when they resided in Gallia County, but remembered little about the reclusive family Credit: WSYX Items including a high chair are seen inside the Siders’ home in Hamden in Vinton County Credit: AP Bruce Gullick was making renovations at the home in Gallia County and described the vile conditions he found Credit: WSYX The children came under the radar of authorities five years before the shocking rescue. Court records revealed officials launched a truancy case in October 2021 after six of the children failed to attend a single day of school. The children were enrolled at Addaville Elementary School in Gallia County during the 2021-2022 academic year. Siders II and Elizabeth were summoned to juvenile court but the case was dismissed in January 2022 after the parents could not be located. Court records listed the Siders at a mailing address in Cheshire, Ohio, although one month after the truancy case was dismissed, Elizabeth reportedly gave birth at a Gallia County hospital using an address in Chippewa County, Wisconsin. Property records identified that Wisconsin location as agricultural land with no residential building, while county officials reportedly found no record of calls or visits there. Elizabeth later used the Cheshire address again when giving birth in November 2022 and once more after delivering twins in January 2024. In August 2023, deputies responded to a report of a smashed vehicle window at the Cheshire property, but the caller reportedly lived there and was not connected to the Siders family, suggesting they may already have moved away. Siders Sr., Christina, Siders II, and Elizabeth have all pleaded not guilty to 16 felony counts of child endangerment. The elder Siders was released from jail after he suffered a medical issue while behind bars. Prosecutors recommended he be released on recognizance bond due to his serious medical condition. Christina, Elizabeth, and Siders II are being held on $300,000 bond. The younger Siders is due in court on Thursday for a hearing on unrelated indecency charges stemming from several incidents in late May.