A competency evaluation has been requested for Gary Siders Sr., the oldest defendant in the Hamden child endangerment case, following a severe medical incident that prompted a modification of his bond on July 9, 2026.
Defense attorney Dorian Baum filed the motion seeking an assessment of the 73-year-old's mental fitness to stand trial.
The legal team indicated that a defense of not guilty by reason of insanity may be pursued for Siders, who is among four relatives charged with 16 counts of child endangerment after 16 neglected children were rescued from an Ohio residence.
Defense Cites Confusion
Baum noted during an interview with NewsNation local affiliate WCMH that his client demonstrated profound confusion regarding the judicial process.
The attorney stated that the elderly man found it difficult to recount basic personal details.
"This is not some sort of way to sneak around or do something that's underhanded," said Dorian Baum, defense attorney.
The defense counsel maintained that evaluating competency is a standard element across numerous criminal cases.
"This is a part of the process in very many defense cases, and in this case, I do have some very significant concerns for his competence," said Dorian Baum.
The legal filing followed an incident where Siders fell while being moved to a scheduled court appearance.
The defendant required hospitalization for a critical, unspecified medical condition, according to Vinton County Prosecutor William Archer.
The medical emergency led authorities to alter Siders' initial $300,000 cash or surety bond to a recognizance bond, as reported by NewsNation local affiliate WOWK.
Prosecutor Archer explained that the adjustment was essential because the county bears the financial accountability for the medical expenses of individuals remaining in legal custody.
"We are not going to put that burden also on our local taxpayers," said William Archer, Vinton County Prosecutor.
Siders, alongside co-defendants Gary Siders Jr., Elizabeth Siders, and Christina Siders, waived preliminary hearings and entered not guilty pleas.
Legal officials stated that a GPS tracker will be required if Siders is discharged from the hospital, while a date for the competency hearing has not yet been scheduled.
