Hamden, Ohio — Neighbors in the small village of Hamden are sharing disturbing observations about the 16 siblings rescued from a squalid home, describing how the children rarely made eye contact or responded when spoken to during the few times they were seen outside.

Authorities removed the children, ranging in age from about 18 months to 18 years, on June 30, 2026, after discovering them living in what officials called “deplorable” and “horrific” conditions. Investigators believe the siblings had been largely confined to a small room in the house for much of the past four years.

Four adults — parents Gary Siders Jr., 36, and Elizabeth Siders, 33, along with grandparents Gary Siders Sr., 73, and Christina Siders, 67 — were arrested and each charged with 16 counts of felony child endangerment. They have pleaded not guilty. Bond was set at $300,000 each.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost described the conditions inside the home as “pure evil.” Neighbors who occasionally saw the children outside noted their extreme withdrawal, which child psychologists have linked to a trauma response developed after years of isolation and confinement. One resident recalled that the children “never looked up… not even when spoken to.”

The case has shocked the tight-knit community of fewer than 1,000 residents and raised questions about how the situation went unnoticed for so long. Efforts are underway to place the siblings in foster care while prioritizing keeping as many together as possible. The investigation continues.

Sources:

• Associated Press and ABC News reports