Ohio 'house of horrors' mom of 16 'feral' kids had conjoined twins uncovered records reveal
A new report reveals grim details about the Ohio mom whose 16 children were rescued from their home, which includes the death of her premature conjoined twins shortly after their 2022 birth.
On July 2, police made the horrifying discovery at a home in rural Ohio, as they found 16 children confined largely to a single room, roughly 12ft by 12ft, all living in what authorities could only describe as 'deplorable' conditions.
The mom-of-16 Elizabeth Siders, 33, was taken into custody following the harrowing revelation, alongside her partner Gary Siders Jr, and his parents, Gary Siders Sr. and Christina Siders.
Now, a new report has revealed more shocking details surrounding the death of Siders' conjoined twins, who were born prematurely on November 20, 2022.
The death of Elizabeth Siders' conjoined twins
Her daughters, Bailey Lee and Faith Lee Siders, were delivered at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, according to records obtained by local outlet WOWK 13.
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But tragically, the babies were born at just 24 weeks old, with a condition known as thoracopagus.
The condition meant that their faces and chests were fused together in the womb, and they later died from natural causes.
'Most of our livestock was kept in better conditions than the children'
The single room police discovered the children, aged one to 18, living in was allegedly littered with human waste for at least the past four years.
In a statement, Vinton County Sheriff Ryan Cain said: "Most of our livestock was kept in better conditions than the children. It's just a disgusting scene, conditions you cannot even imagine people being in, let alone children living in."
Seven of the children were taken to hospitals in Columbus, while two were flown to a level one trauma centre by helicopter after officials said their conditions were especially severe.
Authorities are now investigating the family, after they found that the children, who were never enrolled in a school, can barely communicate.
Investigators reported that the eldest child, aged 18, is unable to write her own name.
It remains unclear if both Elizabeth and Siders Jr. are the parents of all the children, as Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson described it as an 'intra-family case'.
What are the charges?
Vinton County Prosecuting Attorney William Archer said each adult arrested has been charged with 16 counts of second-degree felony child endangerment, with the charges reflecting 'serious physical harm' caused to the children.
When brought into court for their first hearing, all four defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Meanwhile, neighbors of the family claimed they had no idea children were even living at the property.
UNILAD has contacted the Vinton County Sheriff's Office for comment.
A timeline of the allegations against the Siders family
March 31 2008
Gary Siders Jr, 18, and Elizabeth Siders, 15, are married in Mason County, West Virginia with the consent of Elizabeth’s parents
May 30 2008
The couple’s eldest child is born. More children are born in 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2022 (twins), 2024 (twins), and 2025.
2021
The superintendent of the Gallia County Local Schools in southeast Ohio told WSAZ3 there are records from this year showing Gary Jr. and Elizabeth were parents with a local school at the time.
November 10 2022
Elizabeth Siders prematurely delivers conjoined twins, who die an hour after they are born. Named Faith Lee and Bailey Lee Siders, they were joined at the chest, face-to-face, according to birth certificates obtained by WCMH.
2022
Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson said the Siders family moved to Vinton County, again in southeast Ohio, around this time.
May 23 and 27 2026
A criminal complaint against Gary Siders Jr accused him of ‘recklessly exposing his private parts’ on two occasions on these dates.
June 30 2026
An arrest warrant is issued for Gary Siders Jr related to four alleged counts of public indecency.
Police attend the Siders’ home in relation to this investigation and find 16 children living in what police describe as deplorable conditions.
Authorities claim the children were confined to a 12-foot by 12-foot space for four years.
Gary Siders Sr, 73, Christina Siders, 67, Gary Siders Jr, 36, and Elizabeth Siders, 33, are arrested and charged with 16 counts of endangering children, second degree felonies. All have since entered not guilty pleas.
July 3 2026
In an interview with WSYX ABC 6, Elizabeth Siders’ lawyer Thomas Stolly said on meeting his client for the first time: “I met a woman who was timid and who was exhausted. It looked like she had been crying quite a bit. She looked distraught.”
When asked if Elizabeth is also a victim in the case, he says: “I don’t think she would classify herself as a victim.”
He says the initial coverage of conditions at the Siders’ home is ‘not the whole story’.
July 7 2026
All four of the defendants waive their right to a preliminary hearing, meaning the case will now go before a grand jury.
They will decide whether to indict the four accused family members.
On the same day, Gary Sr.’s legal team ask for his $300,000 bail to be waived. They argue it is excessive, saying the 73-year-old has ‘significant health issues’ and ‘very limited mobility’, and doesn’t have the capacity to post any bail money.
His lawyer, Dorian Keith Baum, says Gary Sr. ‘has denied any and all allegations against him’ and has ‘a vested interest… to clear his name’.
Baum also says he has concerns about Gary Sr’s competency to stand trial.
That day, Gary Sr. is transported to OhioHealth O’Bleness Hospital in Athens. If released from hospital, he will be required to wear a GPS monitor. His bond is changed to a recognizance bond, which means he doesn’t have to pay the money upfront.
Mia Williams