A southern Ohio grandfather charged after authorities discovered 16 children living in allegedly neglectful conditions has been determined not competent to stand trial, and a mental health evaluation indicates he is unlikely to become competent in the future, his attorney said Wednesday.
Judge’s proceedings paused as evaluation finds no restoration
Attorney Dorian Baum told reporters and the court that a psychologist concluded his client, Gary Siders Sr., is “not restorable,” meaning the evaluator does not expect Siders to regain the mental capacity required to participate meaningfully in his defense. Baum said he anticipates prosecutors could move to dismiss the criminal charges against Siders.
“Based on Mr. Siders’s mental health, his physical mental decline and deterioration he’s just simply not restorable,”
Baum previously flagged concerns about Siders’s memory loss, hearing problems and ability to understand court proceedings. In light of the evaluation, the family is reportedly weighing options to address his medical needs, including seeking guardianship or requesting a civil commitment evaluation to ensure Siders receives appropriate care, Baum said.
Charges remain against four relatives
Siders is one of four family members charged in the June case. Prosecutors have accused the family of multiple counts of child endangerment after authorities said the children — ages and identities not released in court filings — were found in a 12-by-12-foot room inside a tiny home in Hamden, Ohio. Law enforcement described the children as unbathed and living amid feces and trash when they were discovered.
The other defendants named in the case are Siders’s wife, Christina Siders; their son, Gary Siders Jr.; and daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Siders. Each of the four faces at least 16 child-endangerment charges, according to court records cited by defense counsel.
| Defendant | Relationship | Alleged charges |
|---|---|---|
| Gary Siders Sr. | Grandfather | At least 16 counts of child endangerment (found not competent) |
| Christina Siders | Wife | At least 16 counts of child endangerment |
| Gary Siders Jr. | Son | At least 16 counts of child endangerment |
| Elizabeth Siders | Daughter-in-law | At least 16 counts of child endangerment |
Case has drawn national attention and local concern
The case drew widespread attention when authorities announced the discovery of 16 children living in a cramped room inside a tiny home in Hamden, a village in southern Ohio. Since the case became public, defense counsel said the defendants have received death threats, underscoring the intense public scrutiny around the matter.
Prosecutors have not publicly commented on the mental competency finding for Siders. If prosecutors seek dismissal of charges against him because he is not restorable, the remaining defendants could still face trial on the child-endangerment counts.
Family explores options for medical care and legal protection
Baum indicated the Siders family is considering pursuing legal avenues to secure care for the grandfather. Two paths he named were seeking a guardianship arrangement or initiating a civil commitment evaluation. Either step would move the focus from criminal prosecution to ensuring Siders receives medical oversight and appropriate services.
- Competency finding: Siders deemed not competent to stand trial and unlikely to become competent.
- Possible next steps: Prosecutors may dismiss criminal charges against Siders; family may seek guardianship or civil commitment.
- Other defendants: Three relatives still face at least 16 child-endangerment charges each.
As the legal process moves forward, local social services and law enforcement continue to contend with the broader implications of the case — from the safety and welfare of the affected children to community concerns about the conditions investigators reported at the residence. Court schedules and decisions on competency-related issues will determine whether Siders’s matter is resolved through dismissal, civil processes or further criminal proceedings involving the other defendants.
WE NEWS will continue to follow court filings and local agency statements as this case develops.
