An Ohio mother of 16 whose children were found living in what officials described as "deplorable" conditions has pleaded not guilty to a long list of charges. Prosecutors say Elizabeth Siders, 34, her husband, and her in-laws kept the children, ages 17 months to 18 years, largely confined to a small room for years, surrounded by human waste and cut off from school; some were unable to speak, the Guardian reports. She was indicted on 19 charges of child endangerment last month, as was husband Gary Siders Jr., who pleaded not guilty on Aug. 26, NBC News reports.
At a Wednesday hearing, a Vinton County judge labeled Siders a flight risk and raised her bond to $550,000, while also enforcing a no-contact order with her children and husband. The couple also faces sexual battery and unlawful sexual conduct charges involving a teen relative in their care. Her husband's mother, Christina Siders, 68, has pleaded not guilty to 19 child endangerment charges and is due back in court next week. Gary Siders Sr., 73, faced 16 charges but was found not competent to stand trial last week. with his attorney saying his mental health has been declining for years and is "not restorable," the AP reports.
The other three defendants are also seeking competency evaluations. Tommy Stolly, Elizabeth Siders' attorney, cited her long history of near-constant pregnancies and untreated mental health issues on Wednesday. "We have an individual in Elizabeth who was married at age 15, who has essentially been pregnant for the better part of two decades, who has never fully gone through any postpartum period," he said, per WSAZ. She has had 18 children, including conjoined twins who died shortly after birth, reports the Columbus Dispatch. Stolly declined to address speculation that his client, who wasn't handcuffed in court and was seen holding her belly, is pregnant again.
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