Birth records of 16 'feral' children in Ohio 'house of horrors' reveal new details about case
The birth certificates for the 16 children found in an Ohio home in ‘deplorable’ conditions have disclosed new information about the family.
The kids were reportedly found like ‘feral animals’, following a house search that housed adults and suspected parents and grandparents, Elizabeth Siders, 33, her husband Gary Siders Jr., 38, and his parents Gary Siders Sr., 73, and Christine Siders, 67.
All four were taken into custody on 30 June, with Gary Sr. being released on bond after a medical emergency required him to be taken to hospital.
As a result of the conditions the children were found in – including alleged faeces on the floor and an 18-year-old who cannot write their name - all were charged with 16 counts of felony child endangerment.
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Ever since news broke of the case, more and more information has been revealed about the Vinton County home, including that the neighbours were unaware of any children residing at the residence.
While it has been queried who the parents are of the children, with ages ranging from 18 to one, birth records have been reviewed by Dispatch to reveal where many of the children were born, and who is listed as the mother.
As confessed to police, Elizabeth Siders is the name on the certificates, as well as on those for two conjoined twins who died shortly after birth in 2022.
According to Dispatch, these were procured through Columbus Public Health, which show that 11 of the births took place at Holzer Medical Center in Gallipolis, seven births were attended by a certified nurse midwife, one by a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and the rest by a medical doctor.
Two sets of twins were delivered at OhioHealth O'Bleness Hospital in Athens, while the conjoined set were born at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital.
The records were also dated, showing that Elizabeth first gave birth in 2008, to her eldest, when she was approximately 15 years old.
At the time, records reportedly show the couple lived in Gallipolis, Ohio, where they are believed to have lived until 2016.
By October 2017, the couple are thought to have moved to another home in Bidwell and then in 2019, the couple listed a different home address in Gallipolis.
For a September 2020 birth, a home in Cheshire was listed, and then in February 2022, an address in Bloomer, Wisconsin was given.
In November 2022, when Elizabeth Siders gave birth to the conjoined twin girls nine months after her previous birth, the Cheshire home was handed over, as well for the deliveries of the twins born in January 2024.
Most recently, a set of twins were born in January 2025, and a different home in Hamden was recorded.
A timeline of the allegations against the Siders family
31 March 2008
Gary Siders Jr, 18, and Elizabeth Siders, 15, are married in Mason County, West Virginia with the consent of Elizabeth’s parents
30 May 2008
The couple’s eldest child is born. More children are born in 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2022 (twins), 2024 (twins), and 2025.
2021
The superintendent of the Gallia County Local Schools in southeast Ohio told WSAZ3 there are records from this year showing Gary Jr. and Elizabeth were parents with a local school at the time.
10 November 2022
Elizabeth Siders prematurely delivers conjoined twins, who die an hour after they are born. Named Faith Lee and Bailey Lee Siders, they were joined at the chest, face-to-face, according to birth certificates obtained by WCMH.
2022
Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson said the Siders family moved to Vinton County, again in southeast Ohio, around this time.
23 and 27 May 2026
A criminal complaint against Gary Siders Jr accused him of ‘recklessly exposing his private parts’ on two occasions on these dates.
30 June 2026
An arrest warrant is issued for Gary Siders Jr related to four alleged counts of public indecency.
Police attend the Siders’ home in relation to this investigation and find 16 children living in what police describe as deplorable conditions.
Authorities claim the children were confined to a 12-foot by 12-foot space for four years.
Gary Siders Sr, 73, Christina Siders, 67, Gary Siders Jr, 36, and Elizabeth Siders, 33, are arrested and charged with 16 counts of endangering children, second degree felonies. All have since entered not guilty pleas.
3 July 2026
In an interview with WSYX ABC 6, Elizabeth Siders’ lawyer Thomas Stolly said on meeting his client for the first time: “I met a woman who was timid and who was exhausted. It looked like she had been crying quite a bit. She looked distraught.”
When asked if Elizabeth is also a victim in the case, he says: “I don’t think she would classify herself as a victim.”
He says the initial coverage of conditions at the Siders’ home is ‘not the whole story’.
7 July 2026
All four of the defendants waive their right to a preliminary hearing, meaning the case will now go before a grand jury.
They will decide whether to indict the four accused family members.
On the same day, Gary Sr.’s legal team ask for his $300,000 bail to be waived. They argue it is excessive, saying the 73-year-old has ‘significant health issues’ and ‘very limited mobility’, and doesn’t have the capacity to post any bail money.
His lawyer, Dorian Keith Baum, says Gary Sr. ‘has denied any and all allegations against him’ and has ‘a vested interest… to clear his name’.
Baum also says he has concerns about Gary Sr’s competency to stand trial.
That day, Gary Sr. is transported to OhioHealth O’Bleness Hospital in Athens. If released from hospital, he will be required to wear a GPS monitor. His bond is changed to a recognizance bond, which means he doesn’t have to pay the money upfront.
Britt Jones