See our complete coverage of the Vinton County child endangerment case

The case of 16 children rescued from “deplorable” conditions in a home in small and rural Vinton County has caught local, state and national attention.

Four adults – Gary L. Siders Sr., 73, Gary L. Siders Jr., 36, Christina Siders, 67, and Elizabeth Siders, 33 – were arrested and charged with 16 counts of felony child endangerment June 30.

Dispatch journalists have been working around the clock to research and report every aspect of the case that Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson described as “pure evil.”

Read on for our complete coverage to date, listed in reverse chronological order:

Vinton County judge OKs gag order in Gary Siders Jr.’s child abuse case

Common Pleas Judge Laina Fetherolf Rogers signed the gag order July 14, according to court records. Gary Siders Jr.’s attorney, Lee Roberts, filed a motion earlier in the day for the order.

Siders family faced truancy complaints for kids, court records show

Gallia County Juvenile Court filed six complaints against Gary Siders Jr. and Elizabeth Siders in 2021 for failing to send their children to school, according to court documents obtained by The Dispatch.

Ohio approves $1M for Vinton County to care for 16 rescued children

State officials approved $1 million in emergency funds for Vinton County to care for the 16 Siders children. They are now in foster care and are expected to require extensive treatment.

The Dispatch locates birth records for Vinton County children

Birth certificates indicate many of the 16 children were born in medical centers. There is one record The Dispatch was not able to obtain and view.

Prosecutor updates Siders case

On July 8 Vinton County Prosecutor William Archer provided a brief update and addressed social media rumors. He did not provide many new details, but did debunk some social media rumors and discussed the addition of special prosecutors.

Columbus Dispatch suing for access to case records

The Columbus Dispatch filed a complaint with the Ohio Supreme Court, arguing Vinton County improperly sealed search warrants.

Bond reduced for Gary Siders Sr. in Vinton County child abuse case

Siders Sr. experienced a medical incident while incarcerated and is now in medical care. A Vinton County judge modified Siders Sr.’s bond to allow him to be released from custody if he’s let out of a hospital, court records say.

State of Ohio will provide $1 million to help 16 rescued children.

Ohio officials expect to send $1 million to help the South Central Ohio Job and Family Services agency care for the 16 rescued children, and more money may be coming.

Siderses waive preliminary hearings in child abuse case

On July 7, the four adult Siders waived their right to preliminary hearings.

Twin girls connected to Vinton County family died 1 hour after birth

Twins born to Elizabeth Siders in November 2022 were born premature and conjoined, according to Dispatch news partner NBC4. They died within an hour.

Local agency coordinates donations for 16 rescued children

A local child welfare agency wants to coordinate donations for the 16 children. This story details how you can get involved.

State launches review into whether child welfare reports were made about the Siders family

State authorities are reviewing child welfare agency records for reports involving the Vinton County family.

Siders’ defense attorneys speak out

Defense attorneys for two Siders family members spoke about the case.

What public records reveal about the Siders family members charged in Ohio

Publicly available records provided minimal information, but Dispatch Courts reporter Bethany Bruner was able to organize some facts.

What we know about the 16 kids rescued from a Vinton County home

Officials described conditions inside the one-story rental home as “deplorable,” “horrific” and “beyond comprehension.” Reporting from Public Safety and Breaking News Reporter Bailey Gallion.

What’s next in court for Siders family in Ohio child abuse case?

According to this July 2 report, all four adult Siders had court-appointed attorneys.

Officials describe ‘horrific’ Vinton County home, ‘almost feral’ kids

The conditions inside the Vinton County home were “disgusting” according to law enforcement officials.

How to report child abuse

Neighbors and authorities said they did not know about the 16 children and the conditions they were held in. How and when should you report suspected child abuse?

Suspects plead not guilty following rescue of 16 children

The four adult Siders were arraigned July 1, and they pleaded not guilty.

Neighbors shocked after children rescued from one-story home

On June 30, neighbors spoke with Dispatch Breaking News Reporter Shahid Meighan about their reactions to the allegations against the four adult Siders.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine calls children’s living conditions ‘heartbreaking’

Gov. DeWine supports his newly appointed attorney general, Andy Wilson, as he takes on this upsetting case.

Where is Hamden? What we know about the village

Hamden, Ohio, is a village in Vinton County with a population of about 720 people. The 16 children were found there.

16 children rescued from ‘deplorable’ Vinton County home, 4 adults arrested

On June 30, the Vinton County Sheriff’s Office and agents with the Ohio Attorney general’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation rescued 16 children from a home and arrested four adults.