THE HORR0R MAY HAVE ENDED—BUT THEIR BATTLE IS ONLY BEGINNING: PSYCHOLOGIST WARNS OHIO ‘HOUSE OF HORR0RS’ CHILDREN FACE A LONG, HAUNTING ROAD TO RECOVERY AFTER YEARS OF ALLEGED NEGLECT

The futures of the 16 children rescued from a rural Ohio home could be difficult, said an expert (Image: Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail)

Even after being rescued from the so-called “house of horrors” in rural Ohio, there’s still a bumpy road ahead for the 16 children found packed inside a filth-covered room.

Family psychologist Dr. Rebecca Bailey told NewsNation that there may not be a simple fix to help the children of Elizabeth, 33, and Gary Siders II, 36. The couple was arrested on June 30 after law enforcement officers found their 16 children inside a 12-foot by 12-foot bedroom at the family’s home in Hamden.

Gary Siders II’s parents, Gary Siders Sr., 73, and Christina Siders, 63, were also arrested. Each adult was charged with 16 counts of child endangerment — one for each of the children.

Authorities said the children, who were between the ages of 20 months and 18 years, were “feral” and had limited communication skills. The children are now in state custody, said Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson.

“There’s going to be no magic therapy that’s going to make it all go away,” Dr. Bailey told the outlet on Friday.

All 16 children were found packed in a small bedroom at the back of the house

“Each of the kids is going to be different, but what they need more than anything is the feeling of community and safety and connection to others … Each of them is going to have such a different reaction coming out of here.”

Authorities said they saw stacks of garbage upon entering the home. Wilson said conditions were so deplorable that investigators couldn’t reach certain areas in the home.

They didn’t explain how they first became aware of the Siders’ home; however, court records showed a warrant issued for Gary Siders II from misdemeanor indecent exposure charges related to separate incidents in May.

“You know, for some of them, it’s going to be very, very scary. Believe it or not, leaving that situation, that’s all they, for some of them, it’s all they’ve known. It’s very frightening,” said Bailey.

Siders adults to be evaluated

The news comes as three of the Siders adults, Gary II, Elizabeth, and Gary Sr. to undergo mєntal evaluations. While each of the defendants has their own case, attorneys representing the three filed motions asking doctors to evaluate their competency.

The filings, which provide no details, state that the attorneys don’t believe the defendants can comprehend the courtroom proceedings or assist in their respective defenses.

Attorneys for the Siders adults requested that they undergo mєntal evaluations (Image: PLUNDERStudios/YouTube)

Meanwhile, in a motion filed Wednesday to reduce her bond, Christina Siders described the investigators’ statements on the conditions within the home as “hyperbolic.”

The motion says that Christina Siders lived in the home with her husband, son, and daughter-in-law and that the only issue police found was “unsanitary conditions in the home.”

“There is no allegation that Defendant used or had access to a weapon, nor that Defendant committed any acts of violence against any alleged victim,” Christina Siders’ attorney wrote.

“Rather, it is evident that Defendant was the only adult in the home who had long been providing for all the other adults and the children residing in her home. Defendant paid for rent, utilities and other necessities in the home. Despite her own medical conditions, Defendant was also tasked with caring for her husband and his significant medical needs and physical limitations.”