VINTON COUNTY, Ohio (WSYX) — Eighteen births in less than 17 years have put a new focus on whether medical professionals should have spotted signs of trouble in what has become Ohio’s massive child endangering case.
Records reviewed by WSYX’s investigative team show Elizabeth Siders had a baby nearly every year since 2008. Now, 16 of those children are victims in the Vinton County case.
Fifteen birth certificates for 16 victims were reviewed, along with two death certificates for twins born in 2022. The records list Elizabeth Siders and her husband, Gary Siders Jr., as the parents.
The same midwife delivered six of the children, including two born when Elizabeth was legally a child herself.
Under Ohio law, health professionals must contact police or child services if they suspect child abuse. Legal expert Ron O’Brien describes the signs for mandated reporting, “Abuse, neglect and dependency.”
Records were obtained for 18 children who list Vinton County suspects Elizabeth Siders and Gary Siders Jr. as mother and father. Their first child was born at Holzer Health System in Gallia County when Elizabeth was 15 years old.
O’Brien said that at that point, a mandated reporter should be questioning statutory rape and should report concerns.
“At least to report it and let the police investigate it,” he said.
He added, “It would be, as you say, a giant red flag that should warrant further, inquiry by both, health care professional and police agencies.”
Records show Elizabeth later gave birth to nine more babies at Holzer over the next decade and a half.
O’Brien said the number of children alone should have prompted more questions, including, “How are you taking care of the children? What kind of birth protection are you utilizing? Do you want to have more children?”
Records also show Elizabeth Siders gave birth to conjoined twins at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus in 2022. The twins were described as extremely premature and died after an hour due to respiratory failure.
Doctors at OhioHealth O’Bleness Hospital in Athens County delivered another set of twins in 2024 and a fourth set in 2025.
WSYX’s investigative team asked OhioHealth if its healthcare professionals contacted child services in these deliveries.
OhioHealth representatives responded by email: “Because of federal privacy laws, we aren’t legally allowed to share private health information on any patient without their consent.”
Athens County Children’s Services also cited confidentiality when asked whether it acted on any tips.
On Wednesday, WSYX asked Vinton County Prosecutor William Archer, “Was there any mandatory reporting, especially by hospitals or medical officials?”
The prosecutor responded, “I can’t address that, sorry.”
O’Brien said no criminal laws may have been broken if no reports were made, but said potential civil liability would require more information.
“They could be and certainly it warrants further inquiry. But, based on what I think, you know, what has been publicly disclosed, I don’t think, that can be said,” he said.