New court filings are revealing more about the grandmother charged after 16 children were removed from an Ohio home that authorities described as dangerous and deeply disturbing.
Christina Siders, 68, is facing 19 child-endangerment charges stemming from the June 30 discovery of the children inside a home on Ohmer Street in Hamden, Ohio.
Her attorney is now asking a judge to reduce her $300,000 bond, arguing that Siders had no prior criminal record, posed little flight risk and had been financially supporting the entire household before her arrest.
The allegations against Siders remain unproven, and she has pleaded not guilty.
Authorities initially arrested four adults connected to the home: Christina Siders, her husband Gary Siders Sr., their son Gary Siders Jr., and daughter-in-law Elizabeth Siders.
When law enforcement executed a search warrant at the property, investigators found 16 children living inside.
Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson’s office later said investigators believed the children had endured prolonged and extreme neglect and abuse. Some of the children required hospital treatment, with several initially described as being in serious condition.
The children ranged in age from approximately 18 months to 18 years, according to state officials.
Investigators have said the family had moved through multiple Ohio counties over the years and appeared to have avoided establishing many medical and government records for the children.
The case has since expanded dramatically.
A Vinton County grand jury indicted Christina on two second-degree felony counts of child endangerment, 10 third-degree felony counts and seven first-degree misdemeanor counts.
Her attorney, Kandra Roberts, is now pushing back on the idea that Christina should remain jailed on such a high bond.
In the defense filing, Roberts argued there is no evidence Christina ever threatened anyone and emphasized that the enormous household formed only after her adult son and his wife moved into Christina’s home with their children.
What had previously been a two-person household occupied by Christina and her husband suddenly became a home with roughly 20 people, according to the filing.
Roberts also said Christina was the only adult consistently providing financially for the household.
The attorney said Christina paid the rent, utilities and other necessities not only for herself and her husband but also for the other adults and children living there.
At the same time, she was reportedly caring for Gary Siders Sr., who has significant medical problems.
His health issues became so serious that a judge later allowed him to remain out of custody because of concerns that he would be unable to survive without frequent medical treatment.
Roberts claims Christina put her husband’s medical needs ahead of her own and now needs treatment for multiple medical issues.
The defense argues those conditions could be treated more effectively outside jail.
Christina also has no previous criminal history, Roberts wrote, arguing that she has never before been accused of a crime and therefore has no record of failing to appear in court.
Judge Laina Fetherolf Rogers did not immediately reduce the bond but indicated she would consider the request and issue a written ruling.
Christina entered not-guilty pleas to all of the charges against her on Sept. 25.
Meanwhile, the children remain in government care.
Ohio officials approved $1 million in emergency funding for Vinton County to help pay for the children’s medical care, placement and recovery needs.
Authorities have indicated the children face a potentially lengthy recovery after what investigators say they experienced inside the home.
The criminal case involving the children’s parents has also grown more serious.
Gary Siders Jr. and Elizabeth Siders were each indicted on 19 child-endangerment charges similar to those facing Christina.
They have additionally been accused in a separate investigation involving sexual conduct with a minor.
According to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, the alleged conduct occurred between January and September 2022 and involved a minor who was more than 10 years younger than the couple.
State officials said the alleged victim was not a member of the couple’s immediate family.
Vinton County Prosecutor William Archer has nevertheless described that investigation as involving “intrafamily relations.”
Both Gary and Elizabeth have also faced requests that they remain separated from the children while the cases proceed.
Prosecutors previously opposed Elizabeth’s attempt to have her own bond reduced, arguing that she could pose a risk to the alleged victims if released.
The June discovery shocked authorities because of both the number of children inside the home and their reported condition.
State investigators have said the children were living in unsafe conditions and that some suffered serious physical harm.
The investigation remains active, and officials have repeatedly warned that additional evidence and allegations could still emerge as authorities continue reviewing the family’s history.
