Elizabeth Siders, accused of crimes in an Ohio “House of Horrors” case involving 16 children, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to two felony charges of sexual abuse and endangering children.
Siders made the plea during her arraignment in Vinton County, Ohio. She is among four adults accused in the widespread child endangerment case, involving allegations of living conditions so filthy that multiple agencies examined the household.
Elizabeth Siders faces felony charges of not only child endangerment but also of engaging in unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, The Associated Press reported.
On Wednesday, her legal team requested a mental competency hearing before she faces her trial. The multi-agency probe into the Vinton County, Ohio, “House of Horrors” investigation involves allegations of neglect and physical abuse involving 16 children.
Elizabeth Siders, 27, enters her plea in court as her co-defendants, fellow family members Gary Siders Jr., 41, and Gary Siders Sr., 68, were already in the case on multiple counts of child neglect, endangerment and abuse.
Siders is one of four members of her household indicted in the case that was described by authorities in press releases and reports as having “centuries of documented neglect, physical abuse and endangerment.”
Courtney Siders, 41, was also arraigned on Tuesday.
Details of the Vinton County investigation The investigation began with law enforcement removing 16 children from unsafe and filthy homes. The discovery of the children set off an investigation led by local authorities, child welfare agencies, and prosecutors.
Along with Elizabeth Siders, his family members Gary Siders Jr. and Gary Siders Sr. face multiple felony counts of endangering children, neglect and abuse.
The children involved in the investigation are still living under the care and custody of child protective services.
