After 16 Children Were Found In Feces-Filled Home, Mom Makes New Request

The mother of 16 children found in a feces-filled Ohio home is asking a judge to lower her bond, with her attorney saying her “principal desire” is to reunite with her children.

Elizabeth Siders, 33, faces 16 felony counts of child endangerment after authorities discovered the children living in deplorable conditions inside a Vinton County home last month. Prosecutors say the children, who ranged in age from 18 months to 18 years, were living among feces and insects in a 12×12 space, were not enrolled in school, and were “almost feral.”

In a motion seeking her release on a recognizance bond, Siders’ attorney, J. Thomas Stolly, argued that his client has no criminal record, is not a flight risk, and would comply with any conditions imposed by the court.

“Through conversations with Counsel, the Defendant maintains that her principal desire (is) to reunite with her children; she understands that reunification of any sort is an impossibility if she does not appear before this Court,” the filing states.

Stolly argued that the family’s financial circumstances make the $300,000 bond excessive because she lived “in a home which exhibited extreme poverty.” He added that Siders would agree to wear a GPS monitor, provide a stable address, and, if released, regularly check in with a bond officer, WOWK reports.

He has also disputed some descriptions of the case.

“There’s no indication that the kids were not free to move about the home. There’s no indication from my conversations with my client that the kids were not allowed to go outside,” he said on July 9.

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Siders, her husband Gary Siders Jr., and Gary Jr.’s parents, Gary Sr. and Christine Siders, have all pleaded not guilty to the charges and remain jailed on $300,000 bonds after waiving their preliminary hearings last week.

In an exclusive interview with NewsNation, Stolly doubled down on his view of Elizabeth, adding that after meeting with her on three different occasions, she “does not come across as pure evil,” as he feels she is sometimes portrayed by the media.

The 16 children were found on June 30 in what many are calling the “House of Horrors.” Seven were hospitalized after being removed from the home, including two who were airlifted to trauma centers in serious condition.

A judge on Tuesday granted a gag order requested by Gary Siders Jr.’s attorney, who argued extensive media coverage could prejudice potential jurors in the small Ohio community.