Worker who interacted with 16 children discovered like ‘feral animals’ shares disturbing detail that will never leave her
Warning: This article contains discussion of child abuse which some readers may find distressing.
A worker has shared her horror after interacting with 16 children who were like 'feral animals' in a shocking case.
The woman, who works in a Dollar General store near to where the children were found, has shared her recollections of dealing with one of the children.
It comes after 16 of them were found living in terrible conditions in Ohio, in a faeces-covered room, in a horrifying neglect case.
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Several of the children were found to be unable to speak.
The witness, Ariel Gutierrez, worked at the local store where the Siders family were regular late-night customers.
She told local press how they would come in most nights just before the store closed, to buy things like water, vegetable oil and sugar.
Gutierrez told WSYX ABC 6 that there was usually only one child present whenever they came to the store, but said the children she saw were 'visibly in poor condition'.
She said they were thin, extremely pale and covered their faces with their hair: “Ghost white, didn’t have no weight on their body and they had their hair over their face, like to block out the outside world to not see them."
There was one thing she said will haunt her: “The smell will never leave my mind.
“It was so potent, like they could have left the store five minutes ago and the store would still smell.”
She said workers tried to help the family and offered them hygiene products, but they never saw them used.
"A disgusting scene"
Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson had also expressed his horror at the smell of the home, saying it was something he could not stop thinking about.
Wilson said they were in 'conditions you cannot even imagine people being in, let alone children being in'.
He added: "It was terrible. They looked like almost feral animals."
Vinton County Sheriff Ryan Cain added: "Most of our livestock was kept in better conditions than the children. Just a disgusting scene."
Local residents have been left stunned by the discovery and wondering how they could have been kept hidden for so long.
None of the children were enrolled in school, and the eldest child, who is 18, cannot spell her own name.
The children range between 18 months and 18 years old.
Two of them were flown to hospital, with one of them described as being in critical condition.
Four adults have been arrested following the discovery: Gary Siders Sr., Gary Siders Jr., Christina Siders and Elizabeth Siders, are being held on a $300,000 cash bond each.
They face a total of 17 counts of child endangerment.
Gutierrez shared her regrets when she heard the news: “I’m sorry, I should have said something sooner. I’m praying and I know they’re in better conditions now.”
William Archer, the prosecuting attorney, said: "Our children deserve better from their parents, guardians, and custodians. No child should endure these kinds of conditions."
"My office will do everything in our power to make sure these children get the love and care they deserve. My office will prosecute these persons to the fullest extent of the law."
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: US News, Crime, True Crime, Domestic Abuse
Jen Thomas