Ohio mother of 16 kids found living in squalid home pleads not guilty to endangering her children

The mother of 16 children found living in squalid conditions in an Ohio house has pleaded not guilty to endangering her children, as well as sexual battery of a minor in a separate case.

Elizabeth Siders, 34, appeared in Vinton County court Wednesday for her arraignment. She was arrested June 30 along with her husband, Gary Siders Jr., and her in-laws Gary Siders Sr. and Christina Siders.

Elizabeth Siders pleaded not guilty to 19 counts of child endangerment in the case related to her children. Prosecutors said that the children were found in horrific conditions, in a home littered with feces, and that some of the children were unable to speak.

She also pleaded not guilty to two charges each of sexual battery and unlawful sexual conduct with a minor in a separate case. NBC News has reached out to her attorney for comment.

Siders and her husband were indicted Aug. 21 in the sexual battery case.

The indictments accuse Gary Siders Jr., 36, and Elizabeth Siders of sexual abuse against a minor, who was between the ages of 13 and 16 in 2022.

The indictments indicate the victim was not one of Elizabeth Siders’ children, but they describe her…

Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/health