Elizabeth Siders, 34, appeared in Vinton County Common Pleas Court in Hamden in a case involving 16 children found in a filthy, feces-strewn home. She remains in custody on a total bond of $550,000, and a court order barring contact with the children remains in effect.
Her attorney, Thomas Stolly, told the court that Siders was suffering from mental health issues. He raised concerns about the effects of her marriage at age 15, repeated pregnancies and lack of regular medical and postpartum care.
“We have an individual… who was married at age 15 who has essentially been pregnant for the better part of two decades,” Stolly said. He argued that she had never fully gone through a postpartum period and questioned how those circumstances, along with her life within the Siders household, had affected her. No ruling on her competency was reported.
The children found in the home ranged in age from 20 months to 18 years. Authorities said they had never been enrolled in school and could barely communicate, with some unable to speak at all. Investigators said the oldest, an 18-year-old with a developmental disability, could not write her own name.
Siders, her husband, Gary Siders II, and his parents, Christina Siders and Gary Siders Sr., face 16 felony counts involving child endangerment and neglect. Siders and her husband were indicted last month on additional charges that included sexual battery and two counts of unlawful sexual contact with a minor.
Siders appeared in orange jail clothing without handcuffs and held her midsection during the hearing. Stolly declined to answer a reporter’s question about speculation that she was pregnant again. “I can’t address that at this time,” he said. A pregnancy has not been confirmed.
In July, Siders asked through her lawyer for permission to see the children. The court has maintained its strict no-contact order.