Four adults have been arrested after 16 children were found living in “deplorable” conditions at a house described as “pure evil” in Ohio
Four adults were arrested on felony child endangerment charges(Image: WWSYX/WCHS-TV)
Multiple children have been rushed to hospital after they were discovered living in “deplorable” conditions in a house described as “pure evil” by police.
Four adults were arrested on felony child endangerment charges after authorities discovered the children at a home in the village of Hamden, Ohio, on Tuesday (June 30).
Officials said all 16 children required urgent medical treatment with two flown to Level One trauma centres due to their injuries.
The Ohio Bureau of Investigation and the local sheriff’s department searched the property after receiving information that prompted the investigation.
Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson said the conditions were unlike anything he had seen before.
Speaking at a news conference, he said the children were living in “conditions you cannot even imagine people being in, let alone children being in.”
Wilson added that it was the worst scene he had encountered during his career, describing it as “pure evil.”
The children ranged in age from 18 months to 18 years old and included both boys and girls, officials said.
Gary Siders Jr., Gary Siders Sr., Christina Siders and Elizabeth Siders have all been arrested.
They have not yet been arraigned or assigned public defenders.
Vinton County Prosecuting Attorney William Archer said the four were each charged with second degree felony child endangering as the allegations involve “serious physical harm.”
Officials have not confirmed whether the children are related but said the case is not being treated as human trafficking. They added the adults were not from the local area and appeared to have been travelling.
Investigators continued searching the property on Tuesday as the investigation remained ongoing. The four suspects are due to appear in court today. “Justice will be served for these children,” Wilson said.
