New Twist: The family behind Ohio’s h0rror house received g0vernment ass!stance as the exh@usted mother makes a surprising new request
A FAMILY accused of keeping 16 children in conditions so grim they were described as “feral” was receiving state benefits, officials have revealed.
The bombshell comes as the children’s mom claimed she is “exhausted” and demanding answers while fighting the allegations against her.
Authorities say Elizabeth Siders, 33, and three relatives were arrested on June 30 after police uncovered 16 children allegedly living in squalor at a home in Hamden, Ohio.
Vinton County Prosecutor William Archer said the family was receiving state assistance before the shocking discovery – although he clarified only the children’s grandparents were getting benefits.
“Grandpa and grandma were the only ones I’m aware of that were receiving (state) benefits at the time of this incident,” Archer told reporters after being asked how the family supported themselves.
He did not specify whether the payments were Social Security benefits, food stamps, or another form of state assistance.
The four adults charged are Gary Siders Sr., 73, Christina Siders, 66, Gary Siders Jr., 36, and Elizabeth Siders, 33.
Gary Siders Jr., who investigators believe is the father of the children, was reportedly working as a DoorDash delivery driver.
Independent crime reporter Lauren Conlin claimed on Chris Cuomo‘s Cuomo Crime Time podcast that the grandparents were the only family members supported by the state.
“Only the grandparents were being supported by the state. I don’t think that Gary Siders was even working, but if he was working, he was working as a DoorDash driver or delivery driver,” she said.
The revelation has sparked fresh questions over how 16 children could remain almost completely unknown to authorities despite members of the household interacting with government agencies.
Officials have said the children had no school records, no medical records and no prior Child Protective Services involvement before officers arrived at the property with a search warrant linked to unrelated charges involving Gary Siders Jr.
Defense attorney Ben Chew suggested the family’s frequent moves may have helped them avoid scrutiny.
“The intentionality is evidenced by the frequent moving around because that does suggest they were aware of the wrongdoing, they were trying to evade that and they had the wherewithal to do that. Moving isn’t easy,” Chew said.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth Siders’ attorney, Thomas Stolly, said his client has been left in the dark as prosecutors continue building their case.
“She is exhausted. She is asking about the kids. And I think she is wanting some of the same answers that we’re all wanting,” Stolly said.
“She wants to know what is going on, what evidence does the state have? Because at this point, I’m able to sit and talk with her about the charges, but we can’t actually discuss evidence.”
Stolly said he has met with Siders three times but has yet to receive the discovery documents outlining the evidence prosecutors intend to rely on.
Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson, who is assisting in the investigation, previously revealed that seven of the rescued children were hospitalized overnight, with two airlifted to trauma centers.
He described the alleged conditions inside the home as “pure evil.”
“Some of these children couldn’t even speak,” Wilson said. “This is very, it was terrible. I mean, it looked like almost feral animals. It was terrible.”
Stolly argued that descriptions such as “feral” have fueled public speculation before the evidence has been presented in court.
The attorney also rejected online rumors that the children had been tied up, saying there is no evidence they were restrained.
None of the four adults has yet been indicted.
Stolly has filed a motion asking the court to reduce Elizabeth Siders’ bond, arguing she does not pose a risk and would agree to any conditions set by the court.
Gary Siders Sr. has already been released on a recognizance bond after suffering a fall in jail that led doctors to discover a serious medical condition requiring hospitalization.
He is also due to undergo a competency hearing.
Investigators have warned the case is expected to move slowly, with officials saying some of the children are unable to communicate, making the investigation more complex.
