OHIO GRANDFATHER DECLARED INCOMPETENT TO STAND TRIAL AFTER 16 CHILDREN WERE FOUND LIVING IN DEPLORABLE CONDITIONS

GARY SIDERS SR., 73, WAS FACING 16 CHILD-ENDANGERMENT COUNTS AFTER AUTHORITIES RESCUED 16 CHILDREN FROM A RURAL OHIO HOME. NOW, A JUDGE HAS RULED THAT HIS MENTAL CONDITION IS “NOT RESTORABLE.”

A disturbing Ohio child-endangerment case has taken another major turn.

Gary Siders Sr., a 73-year-old grandfather accused of child endangerment after authorities rescued 16 children from a rural home, has been declared mentally incompetent to stand trial.

A Vinton County judge accepted the findings of a court-ordered mental evaluation on Wednesday, Sept. 9. Prosecutors did not challenge the evaluation.

According to Siders’ attorney, Dorian Baum, his client’s mental health has been declining for years and he does not fully understand or appreciate what is happening in the criminal case.

THE CASE BEGAN WITH A SHOCKING DISCOVERY

The investigation exploded into public attention on June 30, when authorities executed a search warrant at a home in Hamden, Ohio.

Inside, investigators found 16 children ranging in age from just 18 months to 18 years old.

Authorities said the children were living in what officials described as deplorable conditions.

Investigators also reported that many of the children were largely confined to a small room and were not enrolled in school.

Some reportedly had serious medical needs, with two children requiring air transport to trauma centers.

Authorities also said some of the children had extremely limited communication abilities.

FOUR ADULTS WERE ARRESTED

Siders Sr. was one of four adults arrested following the investigation.

The others were his wife, Christina Siders; his son, Gary Siders Jr.; and his daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Siders, who is the mother of the 16 children.

All four initially pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Gary Siders Sr. was facing 16 counts of child endangerment, including felony and misdemeanor allegations, according to authorities.

The other three adults remain involved in the ongoing criminal proceedings.

NOW, THE GRANDFATHER’S CASE HAS TAKEN A DIFFERENT PATH

Siders Sr. appeared in court in a wheelchair during Wednesday’s competency hearing.

His attorney had previously raised concerns about the elderly man’s cognitive decline, mental health and ability to understand the proceedings.

The court-ordered evaluation ultimately concluded that his condition was “not restorable.”

Baum said the finding was not surprising given Siders’ declining health.

The ruling does not mean Siders was found not guilty of the allegations. Rather, it concerns whether he is currently capable of understanding the proceedings and assisting in his defense.

THE CHILDREN ARE NOW IN STATE CUSTODY

Following their removal from the home, the 16 children were placed in the custody of Vinton County.

Officials said they would require extensive support and therapeutic care after what authorities described as a deeply traumatic upbringing.

Ohio later provided the county with $1 million in emergency funding to help provide care for the children.

Authorities have said the children could require therapeutic foster care for an extended period.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

The competency ruling creates a major legal question for Siders Sr.

His attorney indicated that prosecutors and the defense would need to determine the next steps following the finding that his condition is not restorable. The other defendants’ cases remain separate.

For now, the central question is no longer simply what happened inside the Ohio home — but whether the 73-year-old grandfather can ever be brought to trial over the allegations against him.

The investigation and criminal proceedings involving the other adults are continuing.

All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.