Elizabeth Siders May Be a Victim in the Vinton County Case
The attorney representing Elizabeth Siders says he is investigating whether his client could also be considered a victim in the ongoing child endangerment case involving four members of the Siders family in Vinton County.
Gary Siders Sr., 73, Christina Siders, 67, Gary Siders Jr., 36, and Elizabeth Siders, 33, each face 16 counts of child endangerment after authorities rescued 16 children from the family’s Hamden home. The defendants waived their right to a preliminary hearing on Tuesday.
Following the hearing, defense attorney Tommy Stolley said Elizabeth Siders is believed to be the mother of all 16 children, whose ages range from 18 months to 18 years.
Stolley said his office is continuing to review the circumstances of the case to determine whether Elizabeth Siders should also be viewed as a victim.
“At this point in time, we are still not sure, at least at my office, whether my client is a victim herself or not,” Stolley said. “I have previously stated she does not characterize herself as a victim, but the investigation from the prosecutor’s office and my office is still ongoing.”
According to a West Virginia marriage record, Elizabeth Siders was 15 years old when she married Gary Siders Jr., who was 18, in 2008. Court records indicate the couple’s first child was born approximately two months after the marriage.
Stolley said he recently met with Elizabeth Siders to explain the preliminary hearing process. He described her as distraught and still in shock over the situation.
The defense attorney is also seeking a reduction in Elizabeth Siders’ bond.
All four defendants remain in custody on $300,000 bond as the Vinton County child endangerment case moves forward.