Two suspects connected to the Ohio case were arraigned on sexual abuse charges earlier this week.
Officials say Brandon Henderson and Josh Saunders were charged on Saturday after being investigated by the state for intrafamily sexual abuse.
According to court records, law enforcement began investigating Henderson and Saunders in Dec. 2025 for alleged child sexual abuse. The case eventually led investigators to the Siders family and the discovery and rescue of 16 children in late June.
Both pleaded not guilty to the charges, according to court records.
Brandon Henderson
NewsNation’s local affiliate WCMH Brandon Henderson was close to the Siders and known as the long-time partner of Gary Siders Jr.’s sister, Virginia Saunders.
The station also reported Henderson is the possible father of at least one of the Siders’ children’s cousins.
The 21 charges Henderson was indicted on include endangering children, sexual battery and gross sexual imposition.
The 40-year-old also allegedly had sexual activity with at least one minor under 18 last year and forced someone to have sexual contact by force or threat for most of 2025, according to court documents. The victim or victims are known not to be among the Siders’ children.
Josh Saunders
Saunders is the son of Virginia Saunders.
The 23-year-old was indicted on three counts of rape and one count of gross sexual imposition.
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Gary Siders Jr and Elizabeth Siders (Courtesy: Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail) -
Booking photos of Gary Siders Sr., Christine Siders, Elizabeth Siders and Gary Siders Jr. (Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail via AP) -
Trash piled up outside Siders home -
View from outside looking in a window to see piles of trash
Court documents say Saunders is accused of raping several children between 2020 and 2023.
The latest on the Siders family investigation
Gary Siders Jr. pleaded not guilty to four charges related to child sexual abuse on Wednesday, to NewsNation local affiliate WOWK.
He was given a $250,000 bond and ordered not to have contact with Elizabeth Siders.
Siders Jr. and Elizabeth Siders were both charged last week with two counts of sexual battery and two counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. Both have been approved for mental competency hearings to determine if they are fit to understand a possible trial.
Their children remain in state custody, according to law enforcement.
Gary Siders Jr.’s parents, Gary Siders Sr. and Christina Siders, were also charged. Siders Sr. was released on a $300,000 bond and agreed to be a law-abiding citizen while not in jail. He is also no longer hospitalized, according to court records.
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