New indictments in the Vinton County child abuse case answer key questions about what led authorities to the rental house where 16 kids were being held in squalid conditions.
One case led to a second investigation and then a third case.
Up until now, the public only knew details of the third case: child endangerment charges against Gary Siders, Sr., his wife Christina Siders, their son Gary Siders, Jr. and his wife Elizabeth Siders.
Members of extended Siders family connected
The indictments on Aug. 21 make more allegations against Gary Siders Jr. and Elizabeth Siders and bring two more members of the extended Siders family into the story, according to a release from Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson.
Josh Saunders, 23, and his mother's partner, Brandon Henderson Sr., 40, are accused of sexual
crimes against two children. Saunders is the son of Virginia Siders Saunders, nephew to Gary Siders Jr. and grandson to Gary Siders Sr. and Christina Siders.
Virginia Siders married Joshua D. Saunders in May 2003 when they were ages 15 and 19, according to state marriage records. Joshua D. Saunders is incarcerated at Chillicothe Correctional for murder, according to state prison records.
Saunders and Henderson were arrested Aug. 21, according to the release.
How did the Siders investigation start?
In December 2025, the Vinton County Sheriff's office asked the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation to investigate sexual abuse involving two children.
That led to the indictments against Saunders and Henderson, both of South Bloomingville. Saunders is charged with three counts of rape and one count of gross sexual imposition. Henderson is facing 21 charges including child endangerment, gross sexual imposition and sexual battery.
While investigating that case, BCI received information about allegations of unlawful sexual contact with a minor. It opened another case in March 2026. In that one, Gary Siders Jr. and Elizabeth Siders are now charged with sexual battery and unlawful sexual contact with a minor.
That case led BCI agents and sheriff's deputies to search 182 Ohmer St., in Hamden. That's when authorities discovered the 16 children, ranging in age from 18 months to 18 years.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Key questions answered in Vinton County abuse case. What we know now about Siders investigation
