The lawyer for Elizabeth Siders has asked a court to order a formal competency hearing to determine whether she can stand trial on 16 counts of child neglect after authorities said her children were found in severe neglect conditions. He also requests a second evaluation, if she is found competent, to determine whether she was legally insane at the time of the alleged offenses. Siders, 33, is held on a $300,000 bond; the children were reportedly confined to a 12-by-12-foot room. Her attorney says prior meetings lead him to suspect significant mental-health issues and he is also investigating whether she may have been a victim.
Mother of 16 in Ohio 'House of Horrors' Case Faces Competency and Insanity Evaluations, Attorney Says
Elizabeth Siders, Ohio 'House of Horrors'Credit: SOUTHEASTERN OHIO REGIONAL JAIL; Carolyn Kaster/AP
The attorney for Elizabeth Siders has filed a motion asking the court to order a formal mental competency hearing to determine whether she is fit to stand trial on 16 counts of child neglect. Siders, 33, is being held at the Vinton County Jail on a $300,000 bond after authorities said her 16 children, ages 18 months to 18 years, were found living in severely unsanitary conditions.
Attorney Seeks Two Evaluations
In the motion obtained by reporters, Siders' lawyer, J. Thomas Stolly, requests a formal evaluation to assess her current competency to participate in her defense. If the court finds Siders competent, Stolly asks for a second evaluation to determine whether she was legally insane at the time of the alleged offenses — i.e., whether she was suffering from a condition that would meet the legal standard for insanity.
Elizabeth SidersCredit: SOUTHEASTERN OHIO REGIONAL JAIL
Observations and Concerns
In a supporting memorandum, Stolly says he has met with Siders "on numerous occasions and for extended periods," allowing him to observe her demeanor, conduct and comprehension. Based on those interactions, he states he believes Siders "may be suffering from significant mental health issues" and that her competency "may be an issue and a clear impediment to [her] ability to assist in her own defense." Stolly has also said he is investigating whether Siders may have been a victim herself.
"They looked like almost feral animals," Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson said at a July 1 press conference, describing the condition of the children.
Case Details
Authorities alleged all 16 children were largely confined to a single 12-foot-by-12-foot room inside the home. Siders has been charged with 16 counts of child neglect, one for each child. A similar competency motion was previously filed by the attorney for Siders' husband, Gary Siders II, the father of the children.
Ohio 'House of Horrors'Credit: Carolyn Kaster/AP
Family And Background
Public records and reporting indicate Elizabeth Siders has given birth to at least 18 children. She delivered twins in each of her last four pregnancies: twins in February 2022; conjoined twins in November 2022 who did not survive; and twins in January 2024 and January 2025, the latter being her most recent known birth. The oldest child found in the home was born when Siders was 15, three months after she married then-18-year-old Gary Siders II in West Virginia.
Next Steps And Resources
If the court grants Stolly's motion, one or more psychiatric or psychological evaluations will be scheduled to determine competency and, if appropriate, criminal responsibility at the time of the alleged offenses. As legal proceedings continue, authorities and community agencies remain involved in ensuring the children's safety.
If you suspect child abuse, contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453 (1-800-4-A-Child) or visit www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free, confidential and available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
Note: The allegations in this case have not been proven in court. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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