The troubled Ohio mother of 16 “almost feral” children was seen caressing a noticeably swollen stomach in court this week, with her attorney refusing to deny she is pregnant again — while blaming her legal woes on a lack of postpartum care during her life of almost constant pregnancy since the age of 15.
Clad in orange prison garb, Elizabeth Siders, 34, appeared at times unsteady on her feet as she held her midsection in Vinton County Common Pleas Court in Hamden on Wednesday, where she pleaded not guilty to 19 counts of child endangerment and 𝘴єx-related charges involving an underage relative.
She appeared without handcuffs — which law enforcement is banned from using on pregnant women in Ohio, according to the Columbus Dispatch, which noted that Siders’ co-accused have been cuffed in earlier hearings.
Her attorney remained mum when asked outright about widespread speculation that the troubled mom was pregnant yet again.
“I can’t address that at this time,” Thomas Stolly told a reporter, according to the local outlet.
However, Stolly suggested Siders’ life of almost constant pregnancy left her “suffering from mєntal health issues” and not competent to stand trial in the disturbing case where 16 “almost feral” children, aged 20 months to 18 years, were found in her squalid, feces-strewn home in Hamden.
“We have an individual… who was married at age 15 who has essentially been pregnant for the better part of two decades,” Stolly told the court.
“[Siders] has never fully gone through any postpartum period and has not been receiving regular medical care that would be appropriate for someone who has had 16… 18 children.”
“So I have concerns about what effects those have had on her, what effect it has had on her being married at such a young age, being contained within the environment of the Siders household.”
Siders, her husband Gary II, and his parents, Christina Siders and Gary Siders Sr., were all 𝘴ℓappєḋ with 16 felony child endangerment and neglect charges.
The children, who were never enrolled in school, can barely communicate — and some cannot speak at all, authorities said.
The oldest child, 18, is developmentally disabled and unable to even write her name, according to investigators.
Siders and Gary II were indicted last month on additional charges including 𝘴єxual battery and two counts of unlawful 𝘴єxual contact with a minor
In July, Siders made a request through her lawyer to be able to see the children, but the court has upheld its strict no-contact order.
Siders entered a not guilty plea on the new charges, and will remain in custody on a total bond of $550,000.
