Grandfather Ruled Incompetent in Ohio 16-Children Case

Gary Siders Sr., the 73-year-old grandfather of 16 children rescued from a squalid southern Ohio home, was found mentally incompetent to stand trial on Wednesday.

A Vinton County judge accepted an evaluation report finding Siders incompetent, and Vinton County Prosecutor William Archer did not object to the findings, The Independent reported.

The ruling carried a "not restorable" contingency — meaning it is unlikely his health will recover enough for him to face trial, according to WCMH, whose report was carried by WFLA.

Siders, who appeared in court in a wheelchair, is charged with 16 counts of child endangerment tied to children rescued June 30 from a home in Hamden, about 80 miles south of Columbus.

It is now up to Archer to either dismiss the charges or seek mental health treatment in hopes of restoring the case.

The Charges

Siders Sr. was indicted Aug. 21 on 16 counts of child endangerment. His wife, Christina Siders; his son, Gary Siders Jr.; and his daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Siders — the children's mother — were each indicted on 19 counts of child endangerment and have pleaded not guilty.

Elizabeth and Gary Jr. were also charged the same day with four counts relating to child sexual abuse in a parallel investigation. Investigators also arrested Brandon Henderson on 21 counts of child abuse and sexual abuse, and Joshua Saunders, 23, on three counts of rape against a minor and one count of gross sexual imposition.

Saunders is a cousin of the 16 rescued children and Henderson is effectively their uncle, WCMH reported. None of the 16 rescued children are believed to be victims of the alleged sexual abuse.