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Vinton County grandmother ruled incompetent while mother ruled competent in child endangerment case
By: WOUB News Team
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — The Vinton County grandmother accused of keeping 16 children in what authorities called “deplorable conditions” has been ruled incompetent, but could still stand trial.
Christina Siders appeared in the Vinton County Court of Common Pleas on Monday for a competency hearing. Results from a psychological evaluation showed she could potentially be restored. She will be sent to an inpatient facility for treatment and further evaluated for dementia.
The doctor who evaluated Christina to determine if she was competent to stand trial found she has signs of dementia. Her attorney last month asked the court for $7,000 to pay for further evaluation by a specialist.
Elizabeth Siders, the children’s mother, also appeared for a competency hearing on Monday. The evaluation showed she was competent to stand trial and was not insane at the time of the alleged crimes. Her attorney, Thomas Stolly, said they will request a second evaluation regarding if she was legally insane at the time.
Stolly also confirmed to reporters after the hearing that Elizabeth is again pregnant, but did not provide a due date or any other details about the pregnancy.
Elizabeth, Christina and two other family members were arrested in June after the children were found living in what law enforcement described as “deplorable conditions.” All four were indicted on multiple felony counts of child endangerment.
Elizabeth and her husband, Gary Siders, Jr., were also indicted on two felony counts each of sexual battery and unlawful sexual contact with a minor. According to the indictment, Elizabeth is the aunt of the minor, who was at least 13 but under age 16 at the time of the alleged crimes in 2022. Elizabeth was 29 at the time.
Christina’s husband, Gary Siders Sr., has already been found incompetent and the judge dismissed his case last month. If Gary Sr. 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.
Gary Jr. also requested a competency evaluation, but a hearing has yet to be scheduled regarding the results.
This story will be updated if any additional information comes after the hearings.