Sixteen children, found in conditions described as 'worse than livestock', are believed to have been kept in the tiny Ohio property for four years

02:43, Fri, Jul 3, 2026 Updated: 02:50, Fri, Jul 3, 2026

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Police tape surrounds a home where authorities say they removed 16 children and arrested four adults in Hamden, Ohio (Image: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Residents have been left stunned after police uncovered 16 'mute' children living in a cramped, run-down house in Ohio, with neighbours claiming they had never once set eyes on them.

The children, discovered in conditions described as resembling those of 'feral animals' and 'worse conditions than livestock', are thought to have been kept at the property for four years.

Four adults — Gary Siders Jr, Gary Siders Sr, Christina Siders and Elizabeth Siders — were arrested in connection with keeping the youngsters in what has been described as 'pure evil' conditions.

The tight-knit community of the small town of Hamden has been left reeling, struggling to comprehend how such abuse went completely undetected.

Investigators revealed the children were confined to a single small room within the house in appalling conditions, had never been enrolled in school, and had gone entirely unnoticed by those living nearby.

A close-up image of an elderly individual with a gray beard, mustache, and prominent wrinkles on the face, conveying a look of a

Gary Siders Sr (Image: undefined)

The family had reportedly moved around frequently over the past two decades.

The owner of VC Farm and Floral in the nearby town of McArthur said: "Right under our noses and nobody was able to help them sooner.

"It's just crazy that all the wonderful things going on in our little Hallmark town and this is what puts us on the radar. It's really sad."

An aerial view of a group of individuals gathered around a heap of various items, situated on a grassy area adjacent to a buildi

Debris is strewn on the front lawn of a home where authorities say they removed 16 children and arrested four adults (Image: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

The mother of three added she had chosen to brighten the pavement outside with colourful flowers to lift the spirits of the local community.

Authorities discovered the children, aged between 18 months and 18 years old, on Tuesday during an unrelated investigation. Some were unable to speak, and one 18-year-old girl could not even write her own name.

Seven were hospitalised, with one reported to be in a critical condition. The current condition of the children was not immediately known, with child welfare officials having taken temporary custody of them.

A neighbour living three doors away from the Siders family revealed he had seen "no kids at all" at the property.

"It's a sad situation," said Joseph Stewart, 60, who has resided in the "quiet neighborhood" for six years.

An individual with long, dark hair and a serious expression, their eyes appear red and possibly irritated. The image is likely a

Elizabeth Siders (Image: undefined)

The four adults — the children's parents and grandparents — entered not guilty pleas to charges of child endangerment.

A solicitor representing the elder Siders stated his client is presumed innocent. "We ask that the community at large, as well as anyone who might have an interest in this case, to take a deep breath, step back, and let the case play out and the facts play out," Dorian Baum told The Associated Press.

An image of a residential building featuring a damaged window with a green frame. The window is broken, allowing a glimpse into

Debris is seen inside a home where authorities say they removed 16 children and arrested four adults in Hamden, Ohio, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) (Image: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Police have yet to disclose the nature of the separate investigation that led officers to the property on Tuesday.

Court records, however, reveal that a warrant had been issued for Siders Jr. that same day on misdemeanour indecent exposure charges linked to alleged incidents on four separate days in May. He has pleaded not guilty.

An official mugshot depicts a person with long, blonde hair and visible signs of aging on their face, staring directly into the

Christina Siders (Image: undefined)

By Thursday, the windows and doors of the property, located approximately 60 miles south-east of Columbus, had been boarded up.

The previous day, a door had been left ajar, with piles of rubbish and children's toys visible inside, while the decking was strewn with debris.

An image depicting the close-up view of an adult male individual's face, showcasing facial features including a beard, mustache,

Gary Siders Jr (Image: undefined)

Situated alongside a steep railway embankment, the house was clearly visible from the road, with the nearest neighbours separated by trees and dense undergrowth.

"These folks were pretty good at hiding these kids," Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson said Wednesday.

A residential property with a yellow caution tape obstructing the entrance, revealing a doorway leading to an interior space wit

The home has now been boarded up (Image: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

The family had relocated repeatedly across southern Ohio over the preceding two decades, apparently taking deliberate steps to avoid leaving any medical or governmental paper trail.

Investigators are currently examining whether the family had previously been flagged to any children's services agencies.