OHIO GRANDMOTHER CHRISTINA SIDERS SAYS SHE WAS THE SOLE PROVIDER FOR 20-PERSON HOUSEHOLD AFTER 16 CHILDREN MOVED IN

New court filings are shedding light on the financial and family circumstances inside the Ohio home where 16 children were removed by authorities earlier this year.

Christina Siders, 67, is facing 19 counts of child endangerment following the June rescue of her grandchildren from the family home in Hamden, Ohio.

But according to a new motion filed by her public defender, Siders says she became the sole income earner for a household of 20 people after her son, his wife and their 16 children moved into her home.

FROM TWO PEOPLE TO 20

According to the court filing, Christina had originally lived in the home with only her husband, Gary Siders Sr.

The household later expanded dramatically when their son Gary Siders Jr., his wife Elizabeth and their 16 children moved in.

Her attorney, Kandra Roberts, argues that Christina was not responsible for creating the large household, saying she was living with her grandchildren because her son and daughter-in-law chose to reside at the property.

The filing states that Christina was the only adult in the home who had been providing financially for the family.

She allegedly paid the rent, utilities and other necessities for the household.

CHRISTINA IS FACING 19 COUNTS

Siders was arrested in June after authorities removed the 16 children from the property.

She now faces 19 child-endangerment charges — including two second-degree felonies, 10 third-degree felonies and seven first-degree misdemeanors, according to PEOPLE.

Her attorney is seeking to have Siders’ $300,000 bond reduced, arguing that she has no previous criminal record and has never failed to appear for a court proceeding.

Siders pleaded not guilty to all charges on September 25.

The allegations remain unresolved in court, and a criminal charge is not a finding of guilt.

HER ATTORNEY ALSO RAISES HER HUSBAND’S MEDICAL NEEDS

The new filing also describes Christina as the primary caregiver for her husband, Gary Siders Sr.

According to the motion, his medical condition requires frequent treatment. A judge previously dismissed his bond because of concerns about his ability to survive if he were to flee while requiring ongoing medical care.

Christina’s attorney also says that while caring for her husband, she neglected her own medical needs.

The filing says she has several documented medical diagnoses and requires treatment that her attorney believes would be better provided outside jail.

The judge did not immediately reduce Christina’s bond but said the motion would be considered.

16 CHILDREN REMAIN IN COUNTY CARE

The 16 children removed from the home on June 30 are now in the care of Vinton County authorities.

Officials have said they are working to provide the children with medical and other support following their removal.

The state of Ohio has allocated $1 million in emergency funding to Vinton County to help care for the children.

Earlier reporting said the children ranged in age from approximately eight months to 18 years old, and several required hospitalization after being removed from the property.

MORE CHARGES IN THE WIDER INVESTIGATION

The case has expanded beyond the original child-endangerment allegations.

Christina’s son, Gary Siders Jr., and his wife, Elizabeth Siders, have also been indicted on additional allegations involving sexual conduct with a minor.

According to Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson, investigators allege the incidents occurred between January and September 2022 and involved a minor more than 10 years younger than the couple.

The Vinton County prosecutor has described that separate case as involving intrafamily relations.

Those allegations are also matters for the courts and have not been established as facts through a conviction.

A CASE THAT CONTINUES TO DEVELOP

The latest filing provides a new look at how the Siders family says the household changed before authorities intervened.

Christina’s attorney is presenting her as an older woman who became responsible for financially supporting an unusually large household while also caring for her medically vulnerable husband.

Prosecutors, meanwhile, continue to pursue the child-endangerment case stemming from the conditions in which the 16 children were found.

For now, Christina Siders remains charged and has pleaded not guilty.

The court will ultimately determine what responsibility, if any, she bears for the circumstances surrounding the children — while the children themselves remain under county care as the wider investigation continues.