Vinton County

The parents of the 16 children found in deplorable conditions in a house in the village of Hamden now face sex abuse charges involving a child who is not a member of the immediate family.

Did the state fail this family? How are child welfare advocates, state officials and others working to respond and repair the cracks in the system.

The four defendants were arrested after 16 children were found inside a room in a rental home. The room was filthy, including contamination with human feces.

The attorney for Elizabeth Siders requested an evaluation to determine if she should be found not guilty by reason of insanity and if she is competent to stand trial.

An attorney representing Elizabeth Siders is requesting his client be given a competency examination in her child endangering case.

Gary Siders, Sr. is one of four adults charged with child endangering after 16 children were found living in squalid conditions in their Vinton County home in June 2026.

An attorney for Gary Siders Jr. plans to ask the judge for a mental competency evaluation for his client.

A Vinton County judge has issued an order banning parties from talking about the child endangerment case against the grandmother Christina Siders.

All parties are banned from discussing the case in which a father allegedly kept his 16 children inside a small room.