Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said he doesn't know yet if the government failed the 16 children rescued from "deplorable" conditions in Vinton County but a review now underway may answer that question.
"Just because a tragedy occurs does not mean there was a systemic failure in regard to the government services," DeWine said on July 29. "Could it be? Yeah, it could be. We just have to see. It's too early for me to comment."
Following a child fatality or near fatality, child welfare authorities at the local and state levels conduct after-action reviews. That process is underway for the Siders family's 16 children, who were removed from a house in Hamden on June 30.
The children, ranging in age from 18-months to 18-years, required immediate medical care
and have been placed in foster care. Their parents, Gary Siders Jr. and Elizabeth Siders, and grandparents, Gary Siders Sr. and Christina Siders, have pleaded not guilty to 16 counts of felony child endangerment.
Under DeWine, the state increased funding for child protection services across Ohio.
"Local children's services are the front line to protect our most vulnerable people in our community. Period. That's it. They're the most vulnerable," said DeWine, who has made children's protection, development and education the signature issue of his 50-year political career.
In 2025, child protection agencies investigated nearly 78,000 abuse and neglect reports and had 14,261 children in custody. Ohio spent $1.66 billion on child protective services last year, up 77% over a decade ago.
The locals pick up about 45% of the cost; feds cover 35% and the state chips in 20%. In Ohio, 53 of 88 counties have local levies while other child protective services agencies rely on funding approved by the county commissioners.
"I would love it if every county would pass a local children's services levy," he said. "We need to fill in for those counties that don't have a levy."
DeWine declined to speak specifically about the Siders case, citing a gag order imposed by Vinton County Common Pleas Court Judge Laina Fetherolf Rogers. The Columbus Dispatch is suing to challenge the gag order.
State government reporter Laura Bischoff can be reached at lbischoff@usatodayco.com and @lbischoff on X.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Did Ohio fail 16 Siders children? DeWine says review will tell
