Courtroom Twist: The Siders family mother in rural Ohio is seeking to change her bond conditions so she can reunite with her ch!ldren
VINTON COUNTY, Ohio —
The mother of the 16 children found in “deplorable conditions” in a rural Ohio home is asking for a modified bond so that she could be with her children.
Elizabeth Siders, 33, is one of four people charged with child endangerment after 16 children were found on June 30, allegedly isolated inside a 12-by-12-foot room for years.
The children range in age from 17 months to 18 years old, and some of them were reportedly unable to speak.
Elizabeth and the children’s father, Gary Siders Jr., along with the children’s grandparents, Gary Siders Sr. and Christian Siders are each charged with 16 counts of child endangering.
All four have pleaded not guilty. Siders Sr. was given an own recognizance bond last week due to a “serious medical condition” that requires care in a hospital outside of the area.
Vinton County Prosecutor William Archer said his medical care in the county jail could “potentially bankrupt Vinton County” which prompted the decision to release him on bond and give him ankle monitoring.
Elizabeth is also asking for her bond to be modified to a recognizance bond only, stating she isn’t a any sort of risk and that her main desire is to reunite with her children.
“Through conversations with Counsel, the Defendant maintains that her principal desire [is] to reunite with her children; she understands that reunification of any sort is an impossibility if she does not appear before this Court,” the court filing states.
In the filing, her attorney argues Elizabeth has no criminal history and cannot afford to pay the bond, wanting her released on the promise she will appear and that her only desire is to be with her kids.
WLWT confirmed more details on the family, with the Mason County, West Virginia clerk confirming Elizabeth and Gary Siders Jr. got married on March 31, 2008 when he was 18 and she was 15.
Within next couple of weeks, the case is expected to go to a grand jury.
Archer said the four had preliminary hearings Tuesday because Vinton County only holds grand jury every other month, unlike other counties that hold them once a day.
Archer said the grand jury is a secret process, so he can’t disclose specifics, but hopes to have information on it within the next couple of weeks.
