THE mom of the 16 kids found in a house of horrors has a new excuse responding to claims they were feral.

Police have said that the 16 kids were found living in shocking conditions with many who couldn’t even speak.

Police rescued 16 feral children from a home in Ohio

Elizabeth Siders, the mother of the 16 children, was arrested following the discovery

Police said the children were living in horrifying conditions

Police tape is seen around the home where the children were found living

Elizabeth Siders, 33, has been charged with 16 counts of child endangerment after police rescued the children from the home in Vinton County, Ohio, roughly 72 miles outside of Columbus.

Three of her relatives, Gary Siders, 73; Christina Siders, 66; Gary Siders II, 36; were also arrested following the discovery of the children. Authorities said the kids ranged in age from one to 18.

Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson said that some of the kids found “looked like almost feral animals.”

However, Elizabeth’s attorney Tommy Stolly said the mother “absolutely disputes” these “feral” claims.

“If we’re talking about feral children, those are children who do not understand the world,” Stolly said while appearing on Cuomo Crime Time hosted by Chris Cuomo.

“This is very clearly a case where my client and the Siders family were living in extreme poverty.”

According to Stolly, the kids spoke to police after they were removed from the home and Siders told him that they all “could talk.”

However, he noted that he has not personally talked with any of the children.

Elizabeth Siders remains in jail for 16 counts of child endangerment

Christina Siders, 66, who is believed to be the children’s grandmother, was also arrested

Gary Siders, 73, was arrested but has since been released from jail following a medical emergency

Gary Siders II, 36, also faces 16 counts of child endangerment

“If the kids can speak, I think that changes the analysis,” he said.

Vinton County Sheriff Ryan Cain called the kids’ living conditions “horrific,” and said officers were left “sickened by it.”

“Our investigators will continue following the evidence wherever it leads.”

Gary Siders II is believed to be the father of the 16 children and the two older Siders are believed to be the grandparents.

Reports came to light on July 8 that Elizabeth also previously gave birth to conjoined twins in 2022.

The twins died on the same day they were born prematurely, records obtained by CBS affiliate WOWK showed.

All four of the Siders have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The two younger Siders and Christina remain in jail on a $300,000 bond.

Gary Siders Sr. has been released from jail on a recognizance bond after suffering a medical emergency.

Source: https://www.the-sun.com/news/16741256/elizabeth-siders-mom-feral-kids-ohio/