16 children rescued from 'house of horrors' in Ohio to be separated: 'Rehabilitation will take time'

The 16 children rescued from a home in Ohio, where they were held in harsh conditions, will be separated into different frameworks. Four family members are charged with child endangerment but deny the allegations. Rehabilitation is expected to be lengthy.

The 16 children rescued from a home in Ohio, where they were allegedly held for four years in harsh conditions, will be separated into different frameworks and will not remain together, according to the British Mirror. US welfare authorities said the priority is stabilizing the children's mental and physical condition, and meetings between siblings will only take place if deemed in their best interest. The case came to light on June 30, when police executing a search warrant in an unrelated investigation entered the home in Winton County, Ohio. They found 16 children, aged 1.5 to 18, living in a space measuring about 3.7 by 3.7 meters, in shocking conditions. Following the discovery, four family members were arrested: Gary Siders Jr. (36), his wife Elizabeth Siders (33), his father Gary Siders Sr. (73), and Christina Siders. The four were charged with 16 counts of child endangerment, pleaded not guilty, and are awaiting further proceedings. Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson said investigators encountered findings 'beyond imagination,' and that if they had waited another 24 hours, there was a high likelihood of death for one or more children. After the rescue, the children were taken to hospitals, two were airlifted by helicopter, and one was in critical condition. Some children were unable to speak when found. All children are under welfare supervision, and rehabilitation is expected to be lengthy.