Sixteen children were rescued from a dilapidated home in Hamden, Ohio on Wednesday, July 1, 2026. They had been living in deplorable, wretched conditions with human waste, confined to a single room for much of the past four years.

The children ranged in age from one and a half years to 18 years. Some of the children were unable to speak, and an 18‑year‑old who was developmentally disabled could not write her name.

Four adults—Gary Siders Jr., Gary Siders Sr., Christina Siders and Elizabeth Siders—were arrested and charged with second‑degree felony child endangerment. According to gdelt, the four adults appeared in court and entered not‑guilty pleas.

Hindustantimes reported that the children were discovered after deputies serving an unrelated warrant entered the home. The guardian reported that police described the case as an intra‑family situation rather than human trafficking.

Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson said the conditions were “almost indescribable” and “really looked third world,” as reported by gdelt. Vinton County Sheriff Ryan Cain said most of the livestock was kept in better conditions than the children, reported by ocregister.com.