Ohio ‘house of horrors’ mom and dad face disturbing new charges involving a child

The parents at the centre of Ohio’s so-called ‘house of horrors’ case have been hit with another major development as the investigation into their family continues.

Elizabeth Siders, 33, and Gary Siders Jr., 37, were arrested in June after authorities discovered 16 children living at a property in Hamden, Ohio, in conditions officials have repeatedly described as ‘deplorable’.

The children were allegedly kept in a 12ft by 12ft room for years, whilst investigators said the home contained human waste and lacked proper sanitation.

Some of the younger children reportedly had limited speech; the eldest was said to be unable to spell her own name.

Elizabeth and Gary Jr. were initially charged alongside Gary’s parents, Gary Siders Sr. and Christina Siders, with child endangerment offences.

Later, Siders made a legal request to have a mental health assessment as to whether she could stand trial.

Now, prosecutors have revealed that Elizabeth and Gary Jr. are facing additional charges linked to allegations involving a young relative.

Elizabeth and Gary Siders Jr. now face additional charges involving a minor (Southeast Ohio Jail)

The couple now face two counts of third-degree sexual battery and third-degree felony unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.

According to prosecutors, per The Mirror, the alleged incidents took place between January and September 2022, with the victim said to have been a minor at least 10 years younger than the accused.

Authorities have said the alleged victim is not an immediate member of the Siders family, although their precise relationship to the couple has not been disclosed.

The Vinton County Sheriff’s Office and Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation said the wider investigation began in March following allegations of sexual abuse.

Prosecutors said: “Law enforcement sought the DNA of Gary Siders Jr. related to the child sex abuse case.”

They added: “Upon serving search warrants for the child sex abuse case, the existing condition of the 16 children at the Ohmer Street house became known.”

Sixteen children were discovered at the Hamden property earlier this summer (ABC News/YouTube)

Officials also stressed that ‘the child sex abuse cases involve interfamily relations and do not pose a risk to the general public.’

Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson said the latest indictments did not mark the end of the investigation.

He said: “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.”

Vinton County Prosecuting Attorney William Archer also urged people to remain alert to signs that children may be at risk.

He said: “This case all started with diligent Dollar General clerks calling authorities with concerns over children they observed.

“We asked the public to be mindful of the circumstances around them, especially involving children. We continue to ask for the public's respect for the rights and privacy of the child victims in this case.”

Gary Siders Sr. and Christina Siders have not been charged with the crime of sexual abuse. The four defendants previously had not guilty pleas entered on their behalf in relation to the child endangerment case.