A southern Ohio grandfather whose 16 grandchildren were found living in squalid conditions was declared mentally incompetent to stand trial on Wednesday — but the case is still set to continue against other members of his family.

Gary Siders Sr., 73, appeared in a Vinton County courtroom in a wheelchair and a gray T-shirt, facing 16 counts of child endangerment. The charges stem from a June 30 raid on a rural property in Hamden, Ohio, where authorities discovered 16 children ranging in age from 18 months to 18 years living in a small, 12-by-12-foot room amid severe squalor and human waste.

When police breached the home, Vinton County Sheriff Ryan Cain described it as a “disgusting scene.” Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson later stated that the isolated youths looked “almost like feral animals” and that several “couldn’t even speak.”

Vinton County Prosecutor William Archer raised no objections to the competency findings.

Discussing the ruling, defense attorney Dorian Baum told The Independent that prosecutors and the defense agreed on the evaluation findings at a September 9 hearing, which classified his client as not only incompetent but permanently unrestorable.

Noting that Siders had experienced a prolonged cognitive decline, Baum stated, “It’s not really a surprise to any of us that he’s not been found competent at this point. He doesn’t fully understand or appreciate what’s going on.”

Following the ruling, the judge kept Siders’ bond active as the state decides whether to drop the charges immediately or pursue a civil commitment through probate court. Baum told The Independent that regardless of which path prosecutors choose, all charges against Siders Sr. are expected to be dismissed soon.

Regarding future care, Baum said that while institutional placement remains a possibility, his team is trying to arrange a private guardianship to keep Siders in his current setting where he is already receiving proper medical care, though the probate court will make the final decision.

Legal proceedings against the three other co-defendants remain active. Siders’ wife Christina Siders, 68, his son Gary Siders Jr., 36, and his daughter-in-law Elizabeth Siders, 33 — who court records show is the mother of all 16 children — have each pleaded not guilty to 19 counts of child endangerment.

Before the competency ruling, Baum defended the patriarch by claiming the house was fully functional with working utilities and food, telling reporters that critics should “step back” from what he argued was a state agency “criminalizing poverty.”

Court documents indicate that Gary Siders Jr. and Elizabeth Siders married in West Virginia in March 2008, when he was 18 and she was 15, with her parents’ consent. Their eldest child was born two months later in May 2008, and filings show Elizabeth Siders was pregnant during most of the years that followed. of scho

Records show that the discovery came despite child protective services investigating the family years earlier. Gallia County Children’s Services opened an inquiry in March 2020 after online educators raised alarms over severe educational neglect, noting that an 11-year-old child could not write the alphabet or pronounce letter sounds and could only count to 12, while a 13-year-old sibling had dropped out of school.

By December 2020, a physician warned officials of severe developmental delays linked to potential lead poisoning, and a later home visit by a caseworker found roaches, gnats and flies swarming the residence along with two children showing insect bites and bruising. Despite this, the agency permitted the parents to retain physical custody under protective supervision before closing the file five months later.

The initial search warrant that led deputies to discover the captive children was executed as part of a separate sex crimes investigation. Gary Siders Jr. and Elizabeth Siders also face separate counts of sexual battery and unlawful sexual conduct with a minor involving individuals outside their immediate family.

All 16 rescued children were initially hospitalized for medical evaluation before being transitioned into state protective custody.

Officials previously noted that the victims lacked formal schooling, medical histories or government documentation as the family moved through various Ohio counties over two decades, with surrounding neighbors reporting that they had never once seen the kids outdoors.

By KATIE HIND, CONSULTANT EDITOR SHOWBUSINESS

Published: 17:52 BST, 11 September 2026 | Updated: 23:20 BST, 11 September 2026

It has been among the shortest and most tumultuous reigns of any Today presenter.

Now Emma Barnett is set to leave Radio 4 after little more than two years in the hotseat, it was claimed today.

The former Woman’s Hour host is expected to instead present a podcast for BBC Sounds which will leave just three anchors on the flagship news programme – Justin Webb, Nick Robinson and Anna Foster.

Sources claim that confirmation of her departure is expected within weeks and when approached by the Daily Mail, a BBC spokesman did not deny the claims.

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Meanwhile, a source at the broadcaster said: ‘Today has a great, fairly new editor, loads of new ideas and vision.

‘There’s always rumour and speculation about Today and its presenters.’

The i Paper reported that Ms Barnett, 41, is ‘excited to move on to her next challenge’ which is expected to be a current affairs podcast and had been in ‘long discussions’ with bosses at the corporation.

She currently hosts her own podcast, Ready to Talk with Emma Barnett, which publishes weekly.

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Emma Barnett is set to hang up her Radio 4 microphone after little more than two years in the hotseat, it was claimed today

News of Ms Barnett’s rumoured exit from the show comes just days after Amol Rajan hosted his final episode of the programme before he goes off to make his own YouTube show

Ms Barnett hugs Rajan after her first show as presenter of the Today programme in May 2024

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Ms Barnett’s tenure at Radio 4 has been blighted by a strained relationship with her co-star Robinson.

Last year she complained to former BBC chief executive Deborah Turness, saying that she found long-serving Robinson to be ‘overbearing’.

Amid her gripes, it was noted that 90 days went by without the pair presenting together.

And on Thursday, Ms Barnett clashed repeatedly with Conservative party leader Kemi Badenoch during an interview over her response to Labour’s spending review.

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Speculation that the mother-of-two is leaving the show comes just weeks after she returned to the airwaves after undergoing a hysterectomy for endometriosis and adenomyosis.

She has written and spoken openly and passionately about the debilitating pain caused by her endometriosis diagnosis in recent years.

Ms Barnett joined the BBC in 2014 when she worked at Radio 5 Live after hosting a show on LBC for three years before that.

Between 2016 and 2020 she presented 5 Live’s mid-morning weekday programme before moving to Woman’s Hour.

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On Thursday, Ms Barnett clashed repeatedly with Conservative party leader Kemi Badenoch during an interview over her response to Labour’s spending review

News of Ms Barnett’s rumoured exit from the show, which she joined in May 2024, comes just days after Amol Rajan hosted his final episode of the programme before he goes off to make his own YouTube show, The Amol Rajan Connection, which is expected to launch within just a couple of months.

Last Saturday saw the Today programme’s Saturday edition being fronted by just one presenter, Ms Foster, with a rotating cast of correspondents covering following Rajan’s departure.

A source told the i Paper: ‘There has to be a new full-time presenter now. And it needs to be someone who is going to stick around. Listeners want stability. Amol and Emma were not here very long, compared with past figures.’

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The BBC has not yet announced a replacement for Rajan, 43, who is set to star in the second series of The Celebrity Traitors when it hits our screens later this year.

It was previously said an announcement would be made ‘in due course’.

Amongst those tipped to join Today are BBC Europe editor Katya Adler and chief political correspondent Henry Zeffman who filled in over the summer.

Meanwhile, the broadcaster’s political editor Chris Mason is also tipped for a future on the show but bosses may want him to stay in his current position in case Andy Burnham calls an early election.

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Ms Barnett was contacted for comment.

“This style has been my shoe of choice for years. 30 years in nursing and these have been the comfiest”

Now that autumn has arrived, fashion fans will be ditching their sandals, ballet flats and open-toe shoes for footwear more suited to the cooler, wetter weather. At Clarks, one pair in particular are proving popular with shoppersa, and it’s not hard to see why.

Clarks’ Funny Dream shoes blend comfort and style effortlessly. Described as being ‘so comfortable’, multiple nurses say they are the only shoe they wear while on shift at work, being easy to wear straight out of the box.

Clarks’ Funny Dream shoes in light pink suede typically cost £80 but shoppers can pick them with a 30% saving by applying the discount code ‘SAVE30’ at checkout. This brings them down to a more modest £56, offering a reduction of £24.

READ MORE: Clarks reduces trainers with ‘softest ever’ soles in nine beautiful colours to £38

READ MORE: Marks and Spencer’s ‘smart but stretchy’ £16 trousers ‘shoppers have been buying for years’

Inspired by designs from the Clarks archive, the Funny Dream shoes feature a vintage-inspired silhouette while maintaining a modern look. The casual shoes has handcrafted stitched seams with chunky, Clarks-branded eyelet laces for a contemporary touch.

The shoes are made from premium leather, offering comfort and durability in equal measure. They’re finished off with a breathable leather sock lining, a grippy and flexible outside and a modest 30mm heel height.

Alongside the beautiful pink style, shoppers can pick up the shoes in four other colours in sizes three to eight. There’s teal suede, £80, and leopard print suede, reduced to £36 down from £80, as well as plum, £80, and black, £80.

Elsewhere, Marks and Spencer’s Suede Loafers are priced at £56. Made from soft suede for comfort and luxury appeal, they feature ruching along the sides and classic saddle detailing on the vamp.

The regular fit and flat heel keep you comfortable all day, while the slip-on design makes this shoe easy to slip on and go. Perfect for dress occasions at work or casual weekend wear.

Alternatively, the Gen-FF Padded Mules are available for £76.50 instead of £90 with the discount code ‘WELCOME’ at checkout. Ergonomically engineered to help optimise the body’s alignment, the mules are perfect for slipping on and heading out of the door.

They feature reflective detailing on the heel tab for increased visibility during the darker nights, while the hardy nylon upper is padded and overlaid with a coated finish for added durability in winter. The interior is fully lined in fluffy micro fleece for added cosiness.

Back at Clarks, the Funny Dream shoes boast an overall star-rating of 4.6 out of five based on 589 reviews. One satisfied shopper said: “Comfortable and looks good as well as being strong and sturdy. True to size.”

A second wrote: “I’m a nurse and I’ve been buying this shoe for 12 years. They have gone up in price however I never get aching feet so I replace them when needed every few years.”

“This style has been my shoe of choice for years,” a third penned. “30 years in nursing and these have been the comfiest, I work 12 hour shifts with no aching feet. Comfy from day one, no uncomfortable breaking in period.”

A fourth stated: “Rare to have footwear that are comfortable from first wear. This is important to me as I have feet/mobility issues.

“Great quality. Great colour. And remind me of the old Cornish Pasty shoes I loved back in the late 70s.”

One shopper, however, found the Funny Dream shoes to be ‘too heavy’, giving the style a three-star review. They mentioned: “These are far too heavy, I had to return them.

“Otherwise, they are very comfortable indeed. I found that the padded, stitched in tab just adds to the comfort.”

“These shoes look really comfortable but I didn’t try them on,” another three-star review mentions. “It seems the insoles aren’t removable, which I need to do to insert my custom-made orthotics. This fact isn’t stated in the description and I ordered them online so they will be returned.”

Nevertheless, someone else loved their latest Clarks purchase, adding: “I love this shoe style but of the five pairs I’ve got, these attract by far the most attention. Business smart with tailored trousers or down the market in jeans, these can cover most requirements.”

Another five-star review reads: “I absolutely love these shoes. The quality is excellent, the materials feel durable and the stitching is very well done.

“They’re super comfortable even after hours of walking, and they look great with almost any outfit. I’ve already received several compliments. Totally worth the price.”

Road users should expect delays on Saturday as events take place across the city

Police have warned motorists of potential traffic disruption this weekend due to a number of parades taking place in Belfast.

Road users should expect delays on Saturday, September 12, as events take place across the city.

In South Belfast, a parade by Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign will begin at 1:15pm on University Road and proceed along Malone Road, Stranmillis Road and should disperse at 2:30pm at Danesfort Park.

In the city centre, a parade by Trans Pride Northern Ireland will begin at 12pm at Writers Square and proceeding along Donegall Street, Royal Avenue, Donegall Place, Chichester Street, Victoria Street, Waring Street, Donegall Street and expected to disperse at 4pm at Writers Square

In South Belfast, a parade will begin at 1:30pm at Frenchpark Street and proceeding along Donegall Avenue, Broadway, Tavanagh Street, Donegall Road, Sandy Row, Wellwood Street, Ventry Lane, Dublin Road, Shaftsbury Square, Botanic Avenue, Posnett Street, Vernon Street, Walnut Street and dispersing at Donegall Pass at around 5pm.