16 children rescued from dilapidated house in the US: They lived in a single room for years

16 children who were forced to live in conditions of severe neglect in a dilapidated house in a rural area of the US state of Ohio have been rescued. Authorities announced that the children, aged between 1.5 and 18, had spent most of the last four years in a single room and were living in "deplorable conditions."

TRASH AND HUMAN FECES FOUND IN THE HOUSE

According to a report by NTV, Vinton County Sheriff Ryan Cain stated that the children belonged to the same family and that large amounts of trash and human feces were detected in the house. In a press conference, Cain said, "Most of our animals are kept in better conditions than these children were."

Authorities noted that some of the children were unable to speak. It was reported that an 18-year-old child with developmental disabilities could not even spell their own name.

16 SEPARATE CHARGES AGAINST FAMILY MEMBERS

16 separate charges of "child endangering resulting in serious physical harm" were filed against the children's parents and two grandparents. Vinton County Prosecutor William Archer stated that the incident was not related to human trafficking, describing it as a "domestic situation."

CHILDREN FOUND DURING A DIFFERENT INVESTIGATION

Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson announced that the children were discovered during a search of the house conducted as part of a separate investigation. Wilson said, "We didn't know there were 16 children there."

Describing the scene he encountered at the house in the village of Hamden as "pure evil," Wilson stated that it was the most horrific crime scene he had seen in his professional career.

BELIEVED TO HAVE STAYED IN A SINGLE ROOM FOR YEARS

Sheriff Ryan Cain said it is believed that the children spent most of their time in a single room measuring approximately 3.6 by 3.6 meters. Stating that there were no cages in the house, Cain did not share details on how the children were kept inside the house.

Seven of the children were taken to hospitals in Columbus, while two were airlifted to level-one trauma centers. Authorities reported that one of the children was in critical condition on Tuesday and was placed on a ventilator.

DEFENDANTS APPEARED IN COURT

Gary Siders Jr., Gary Siders Sr., Christina Siders, and Elizabeth Siders appeared in court on Wednesday. The judge recorded that the charges were denied on behalf of the defendants and set bail at 300,000 dollars for each.

NO OFFICIAL RECORDS OF THE CHILDREN

Investigators assessed that the family had moved to different regions in southern Ohio over the last 20 years and may have taken care to ensure no health or official records were created for the children. It was stated that the children were not enrolled in school either.

Attorney General Wilson said the family was "quite adept" at keeping the children out of sight, while neighbors also explained that they were unaware that children were living in the house.

Neighbors living in the village of Hamden, which has a population of under 1,000, expressed their shock after the incident came to light. Joseph Stewart, who has lived on the same street for six years, stated that he had "never seen any children" since the day the family moved in, adding, "It is a very sad situation."

TEMPORARY CUSTODY REQUEST FOR THE CHILDREN

Prosecutor William Archer announced that the state has requested temporary custody for all 16 children. Attorney General Wilson stated, "Justice will be served for these children."

News Source: 12punto