CPS Raised Neglect Alarms Twice Before 16 Siders Children Were Found in Ohio Home
Child Protective Services (CPS) investigated the Siders family twice over concerns about the welfare of the children before 16 children were found in their Vinton County, Ohio, home, newly unsealed court records show.
Gary Siders Sr., 73, Christina Siders, 68, Gary Siders Jr., 36, and Elizabeth Siders, 34, were arrested June 30 and charged with child endangerment after authorities found 16 children at the family’s home.
Court records indicate that Gallia County CPS first became concerned in 2020 when nine children were in the custody of Gary Jr. and Elizabeth Siders. Some children were unable to speak in full sentences, had not been treated by a doctor and exhibited developmental delays, the agency said.
Records also indicated that some of the children had received little or no prior education, and were well below grade level.
CPS recommended court-ordered protective supervision. A judge ordered the children to stay with their parents and ordered the family to abide by a case plan. The case was closed in October 2020 when the court determined there was adequate progress.
In January 2021, a second neglect case was opened due to the presence of lead in some children. Other issues mentioned in the records included medical appointments, hygiene and developmental needs. CPS reportedly was denied access to part of the home.
In May 2021, the second case was closed, even though medical professionals had concerns that the children may cease to receive care if supervision was removed.
The family later moved out of Ohio and records show that they briefly resided in Wisconsin.
The four adults are now charged with child endangerment, which goes back to 2022.
