Lawyer Seeks Psychiatric Evaluation for Ohio Father of 16 Found in 'House of Horrors'

Defense counsel for Gary Siders II has asked a court to order a psychiatric evaluation, saying the 36-year-old defendant may be mentally unfit to stand trial in a case that has drawn national attention.

Court Filings and Sealed Records Request

In a motion filed July 24, attorney R. Lee Roberts said that "Defendant's competency to stand trial has been raised" and asked the court to permit supporting documents to be filed under seal. Roberts argued the materials "contain highly sensitive mental-health information, or information directly reflecting [Gary II's] psychiatric condition" and thus should remain private.

"Defendant's competency to stand trial has been raised, and the documents at issue concern Defendant's present mental condition and request for psychiatric examination," Roberts wrote in the motion.

Roberts previously sought a gag order on July 14, saying restrictions were needed to protect his client's right to a fair trial amid intense media coverage.

Gary Siders IICredit: Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail

Allegations and Arrest

Prosecutors arrested Gary Siders II on June 30 after authorities said he and three other adults were living with 16 children in extremely poor conditions at a home in Hamden, Ohio, about 75 miles south of Columbus. Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson described some of the children as "covered in bugs and squatting" with a "distant look in their eyes." Officials said the children were confined to a single room inside what they called a "House of Horrors."

Siders is charged with 16 counts of child neglect. His wife, Elizabeth Siders, and his parents, Christina Siders and Gary Siders Sr., were also arrested in the same law-enforcement action. On the same day, local authorities filed four misdemeanor public indecency counts against Gary Siders II, which reportedly relate to an Ohio statute prohibiting the reckless exposure of one’s private parts.

Case Status

Siders had been scheduled for a hearing related to the indecency charges on July 23, but the matter was postponed to August 13. He remains detained at the Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail on a $300,000 bond.

Defense requests for a competency exam and sealed filings could affect the case timetable. If the court orders a psychiatric evaluation, a determination of competency would be made before criminal proceedings move forward. The sealed-records request underscores the defense's argument that mental-health information is especially sensitive and that broad public access could prejudice a fair trial.