16 children found in 'deplorable' conditions after police searched property

16 children were found to be living in “deplorable” conditions in a rural southern Ohio home, according to an official. Four adults have been arrested on felony child endangerment charges after several children were found at an address in dire need of medical treatment on Tuesday (June 30).

A home in the small village of Hamden was searched by the Ohio Bureau of Investigation and the local sheriff’s department, where officials found the 16 children in what were described as “deplorable” conditions. According to the officials, the children ranged from ages 1.5 to 18 and included both boys and girls. Several were in serious conditions when found, and two had to be flown to level one trauma centres because of their injuries.

Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson said at a news conference: “Conditions you cannot even imagine people being in, let alone children being in.”

Law enforcement arrested Gary Siders Jr., Gary Siders Sr., Christina Siders and Elizabeth Siders. They have not yet been arraigned and assigned public defenders.

Vinton County prosecuting attorney, William Archer, said they were being charged with second-degree felony child endangering because it involves “serious physical harm.”

Officials didn’t confirm whether the children were related, but clarified that the situation did not involve human trafficking.

They also noted that the adults were not from the local area and seemed to have been travelling.

Law enforcement were also executing a secondary search warrant at the home Tuesday, and the investigation is ongoing. The four adults will appear in court on Wednesday morning (July 1).

Hamden has a population of less than 1,000 people and is about 60 miles southeast of Columbus.