Two members of the Siders family accused of child abuse of 16 children who were rescued from a squalid home in Ohio are now facing sexual abuse charges. Elizabeth and Gary Siders II, the parents of the victims, were indicted on new charges after an investigation revealed they allegedly engaged in sexual conduct with a minor.

Additional Abuse Charges

Vinton County released a statement that the Siders parents have been additionally charged after determining the pair allegedly “engaged in sexual conduct with a minor more than 10 years younger than their own age.” 

The alleged incidents occurred between January and September 2022, did not involve an immediate family member, and involved a minor more than 10 years younger. However, Vinton County Prosecutor William Archer said the “child sex abuse case involves intrafamily relations.”

First Investigation

An initial investigation by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) involving Brandon Henderson, 40, and Josh Saunders, 23, which began in December 2025 due to “allegations of sexual abuse involving two children,” led to two more investigations involving the Siders family.

Henderson was determined to be the long-time partner of Gary Siders Jr.’s sister, and the possible father of one of the cousins of the Siders’ children. Henderson and Saunders were indicted Monday morning on various counts, including rape, gross sexual imposition, endangering children, and sexual battery.

Second Investigation

Based on the investigation into Henderson and Saunders, the BCI was prompted to open a second one in March 2026 that looked into “allegations of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor,” according to the statement. On June 30, 2026, a search warrant was issued for Siders Jr.’s DNA in relation to the initial child sex abuse investigation. 

While executing the search warrant for the second investigation, authorities were forced to open a third investigation after finding 16 children of various ages confined to a fecal-filled 12-by-12 room in the small house. The indictment alleges the children were in unsafe conditions and suffering from serious physical harm.

The second investigation led authorities to indict Gary Siders Jr., 36, and his wife, Elizabeth Siders, 33, on several charges, including two counts of sexual battery and two counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.

Third Investigation

In connection with the now third investigation, all four adults who were living in the home, including Gary Siders Jr., Elizabeth Siders, Gary Siders Sr., 73, and Christina Siders, 68, were charged with multiple counts of endangering children. 

All adults have entered a not guilty plea and are undergoing mental competency evaluations. Meanwhile, the children are in the county’s care, and the state of Ohio released $1 million in emergency funds to provide the care they need.

“These indictments are the latest developments in the ongoing investigations, but our work is far from complete. BCI is actively investigating these cases alongside the Vinton County Sheriff’s Office, and my office will continue to support Prosecuting Attorney William Archer as the legal process continues,” Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson said.

Competency Evaluations

Elizabeth Siders previously requested a reduced bond, hoping to reunite with her children, but prosecutors urged the judge to decline, believing she would be a “potential risk to the victims in this case.”

In Elizabeth’s motion seeking an evaluation, her attorney Thomas Stolly asked that the “formal evaluation be conducted in order to determine whether [Elizabeth] is competent at this time to stand trial to the offenses as charged herein.” Additionally, he requested a second evaluation if the judge approved this motion and the first evaluation determined the mother was capable of standing trial.

The second evaluation would be “to determine if she is not guilty by reason of insanity, because she was suffering from a condition which would produce legal insanity at the time of the alleged offenses,” the motion explained.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.