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Judge dismisses the case against a Vinton County man accused of endangering his grandchildren
By: David Forster
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — The case against a Vinton County man facing multiple felony charges over the living conditions of his 16 grandchildren has been dismissed.
However, it appears the prosecutor may seek a court order to have the man committed to a facility.
The dismissal of the case comes several weeks after Gary Siders Sr. was found incompetent to stand trial following an evaluation.
In her order dismissing the case, the judge said the court will retain jurisdiction over Siders “until such time as an action for civil commitment can be commenced” in probate court.
If Siders is committed to a facility, he could end up spending as much time there as he might have spent in prison had he been tried and convicted.
Under state law, an incompetent defendant can be involuntarily committed for as long as the maximum sentence they could have received if convicted of the highest offense charged against them.
Siders, his wife Christina Siders, and the children’s parents, Elizabeth Siders and Gary Siders Jr., were all indicted on multiple felony counts of child endangerment.
Meanwhile, Christina is seeking an evaluation to determine whether she has dementia.
The doctor who evaluated Christina to determine if she is competent to stand trial found she has signs of dementia. Her attorney is asking the court for $7,000 to pay for further evaluation by a specialist.
Elizabeth and Gary Jr. have also had competency evaluations. The judge at some point will schedule court hearings at which the results of those evaluations will be disclosed.