Grandmother in Ohio 'house of horrors' case has request that could change entire case approved
Warning: This article contains discussion of child abuse which some readers may find distressing.
The grandmother accused in the Ohio 'house of horrors' child abuse case has been granted a request which could dramatically change how much the public hears about the investigation going forward.
Christina Siders, 67, who is facing multiple child endangerment charges alongside three relatives, successfully asked a judge to impose a gag order in her case after arguing that intense media coverage could jeopardise a fair trial.
The case shocked and horrified people around the world after authorities discovered 16 children, aged between 18 months and 18 years old, inside a home in Hamden, Ohio, on 30 June.
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Prosecutors allege the children had been living in horrific conditions, while Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and investigators described the scene as one of the worst they had ever encountered.
Two of them were flown to hospital, with one of them described as being in critical condition.
Four adults - Christina Siders, her husband Gary Siders Sr, 73, their son Gary Siders Jr, 38, and his wife Elizabeth Siders, 33, - have been taken into custody and charged with a total of 17 counts of child endangerment. All four have pleaded not guilty.
Judge Laina Fetherolf Rogers signed the gag order on Thursday (23 July), local news outlet WYSO reports.
The order means prosecutors, investigators, lawyers, court staff and other representatives involved in Christina Siders' case are now barred from publicly discussing evidence, discovery material or other details that aren't already part of the public record.
Official court documents seen by The Columbus Dispatch state that the order was approved in order 'to ensure the integrity of the judicial process' and protect the right to a 'fair and impartial trial by an untainted jury pool.'
Earlier this month, the judge approved a similar request for Gary Siders Jr, but Christina Siders' gag order is clearer about who is prohibited from speaking publicly.
The court order does not affect what can be said during public hearings or information already filed with the court, but it is likely to significantly reduce the amount of new information emerging before the case reaches trial.
The case continues.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence regarding the welfare of a child, contact the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000, 10am-8pm Monday to Friday. If you are a child seeking advice and support, call Childline for free on 0800 1111, 24/7.
Topics: Domestic Abuse, True Crime, US News, Crime
Ali Condon