An Ohio couple accused of keeping 16 children in what authorities described as an extremely unhygienic and unsafe home are now facing additional charges relating to alleged sexual abuse.

Gary Siders Jr., 37, and his wife, Elizabeth Siders, 33, were previously charged with multiple counts of child endangerment after authorities discovered the children living in disturbing conditions at their home in Hamden, Ohio.

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A Vinton County grand jury returned the new indictments on Friday, about two months after authorities raided the property on June 30.

The investigation that led police to the home reportedly began as a separate child sexual abuse case.

According to county prosecutors, investigators had sought Gary Siders Jr.’s DNA as part of that case. When law enforcement officers went to serve search warrants, they reportedly discovered the conditions in which the 16 children were living at the Ohmer Street property.

“Law enforcement sought the DNA of Gary Siders Jr. related to the child sex abuse case,” prosecutors told reporters.

“Upon serving search warrants for the child sex abuse case, the existing condition of the 16 children at the Ohmer Street house became known,” prosecutors said, adding that “the child sex abuse cases involve interfamily relations and do not pose a risk to the general public.”

The alleged victim is reportedly a young relative who is not part of the Siders’ immediate family.

According to reports, Gary and Elizabeth are accused of engaging in sexual conduct with a minor who was more than 10 years younger than them between January and September 2022.

The couple now face two counts of third-degree sexual battery and a third-degree felony count of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, in addition to the existing child endangerment allegations.

Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson said the latest indictments are part of an investigation that is still underway.

“These indictments are the latest developments in the ongoing investigations, but our work is far from complete,” said Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson in a press release.

“BCI is actively investigating these cases alongside the Vinton County Sheriff’s Office, and my office will continue to support Prosecuting Attorney William Archer as the legal process continues.”

Following the discovery of the home, Gary Jr. and Elizabeth were each indicted on 19 counts of child endangerment.

The charges include second-degree felony allegations that the children suffered serious physical harm while living in the property.

Gary Jr.’s parents, Christina Siders, 68, and Gary Siders Sr., 73, are also facing charges connected to the conditions inside the home.

Christina faces 19 counts of child endangerment, while Gary Sr. faces 16 counts. Prosecutors have reportedly filed multiple legal theories in relation to the conditions found inside the house.

A surrogate mother has been sued for more than $100,000 by the baby’s biological parents after she reportedly refused to terminate the pregnancy despite being asked to do so following a prenatal diagnosis.

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The surrogate, identified as McKenna West, is facing legal action from Nasheen Gilkar and Omar Ahmed, who filed the lawsuit weeks before she gave birth to the baby.

According to court documents cited by TMZ, Gilkar and Ahmed had agreed to pay West $60,000 to carry their child. Their agreement reportedly contained an abortion clause allowing the pregnancy to be terminated if medical problems involving the fetus were discovered.

When West was about 20 weeks pregnant, the baby was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a serious congenital condition in which the left side of the heart is severely underdeveloped and cannot properly pump blood to the body.

West reportedly refused to terminate the pregnancy and instead travelled to Texas, where she gave birth on August 12.

Following the baby’s birth, West reportedly named the boy Gabriel, while his biological parents have said they want him to be named Rumi.

Gilkar and Ahmed are seeking more than $100,000 in damages from West, alleging that she breached their agreement. They are also seeking additional unspecified damages over what they describe as her alleged “malicious, outrageous conduct.”

The lawsuit states that West had previously experienced two pregnancies and was therefore familiar with pregnancy and childbirth.

The intended parents, however, have denied threatening West or attempting to force her to have an abortion.

The dispute has now developed into a wider legal battle involving questions surrounding abortion, surrogacy and parental rights, with proceedings and officials in three states reportedly becoming involved.

According to Lincoln Wilson, an attorney representing West, Gilkar and Ahmed have not provided her with any money since she declined to terminate the pregnancy.

Wilson also said West is preparing to fight for legal parentage of the baby.

“She is seeking parentage of the child because she gave birth in Texas, and in Texas, if you give birth to a child, it’s your child,” Wilson said.

However, reproductive law attorney Marla Neufeld previously told The Post that West has virtually no legal claim to the child.

The case remains before the courts, with the legal status of the baby and the rights of the surrogate and biological parents yet to be determined.

Two fishermen who went missing at sea for five days have been found alive after being located more than 240 kilometres off the coast of Chiapas, Mexico.

The fishermen, identified as 53-year-old Daniel Guerrero Martínez and 32-year-old José Luis Portelas Villegas, had reportedly set sail from Paredón in Mexico’s Chiapas state on August 13.

The pair made their last radio contact on August 14 while they were about 120 kilometres (75 miles) from the coast. Communication was later lost, and concerns grew when they failed to return.

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Authorities launched a search operation in the Pacific Ocean, deploying an aircraft to look for the missing fishermen.

Three boats also departed from Paredón and followed the route believed to have been taken by the fishermen. However, the initial search efforts did not produce any result.

The search eventually came to an end on August 19 when naval personnel located the two men alive about 130 nautical miles (150 miles) off the coast of Chiapas.

The fishermen had reportedly spent five days drifting at sea and managed to survive inside a cool box.

They were said to be suffering from dehydration when they were found. The men were rescued by helicopter and taken for medical attention before being reunited with their families in Paredón.

Mexico’s Secretariat of the Navy confirmed the rescue in a statement, saying:

“Two fishermen who spent five days adrift on a cool box were located and rescued by naval personnel more than 240km off the coast of Chiapas.

“The deployment of surface and air units under the Trinomio concept (ship–interceptor–aircraft) made it possible to expand the search, locate the fishermen, bring them to safety and reunite them with their families.”

See video below……..

Dos pescadores que permanecieron cinco días a la deriva sobre una hielera fueron localizados y rescatados por personal naval a más de 240 km de la costa de Chiapas.

Mediante el despliegue de unidades de superficie y aéreas bajo el concepto Trinomio (buque–interceptora–aeronave),… pic.twitter.com/ysMhoOCpz1

— SEMAR México (@SEMAR_mx) August 20, 2026

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, have reportedly decided to return to Britain as they prepare to spend more time in the country with their children.

According to a report by The Telegraph, Harry and Meghan are planning to travel from the United States to the UK and return to their private residence in London.

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The report states that the couple are considering enrolling their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, in British schools for the upcoming academic term, a move that would see the family spend more time in the UK.

King Charles III was reportedly informed about the couple’s relocation plans last Sunday. The development was said not to have been discussed during the family’s visit to the United Kingdom in July.

According to the report, the King welcomes the possibility of having more opportunities to see Harry, Meghan and their children in a private and personal setting.

However, Harry and Meghan’s reported return will not change their position within the Royal Family. King Charles has reportedly made it clear that the couple will continue to live as private individuals and will remain non-working members of the Royal Family.

Harry and Meghan moved to the United States in 2020 after stepping back from their roles as senior working royals. Their decision was followed by a highly publicised breakdown in relations with some members of the Royal Family.

At the time, the couple cited intense media attention, online abuse, difficult family relationships and concerns about life within the British institution among the reasons behind their decision to leave the UK.

Since moving to the US, Harry has returned to Britain on several occasions. He attended the funeral of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, following her death in 2022 and later returned for the coronation of his father, King Charles III, in 2023.

Harry also made a return visit to the UK last September, which was reported to be his first face-to-face meeting with his father in 19 months.

During the Sussex family’s visit to Britain in July, King Charles and Queen Camilla hosted Harry, Meghan and their children at Highgrove House, the King’s private residence in Gloucestershire.

If the reported plans go ahead, the family’s return would mark a new chapter for the Sussexes as they establish a stronger presence in Britain while continuing to live outside the working Royal Family.

Officials of the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA) have discovered a disturbing sanitation situation at a residential building located at No. 16 Ibadan Street, Aba, Abia State.

The discovery was made on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, when ASEPA officials visited the building as part of an inspection of the premises.

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During the inspection, the officials reportedly found a bag containing about 100 human faeces. Four basins filled with human excreta were also found in the corridor of the building.

The inspection reportedly revealed another serious sanitation concern inside one of the downstairs rooms. Officials discovered a sewage tank directly beneath a bed where occupants reportedly sleep.

ASEPA described the condition as disturbing, particularly because the occupants were reportedly aware of the situation.

In a statement released by the agency, it said:

“Even more disturbing, a sewage tank was discovered inside one of the downstairs rooms, directly beneath a bed where occupants sleep daily, despite being aware of the situation.”

Following the discovery, ASEPA said the compound had been sealed based on a court order.

According to the agency, the building will remain sealed until the occupants carry out the required corrective measures. The premises will only be reopened after the necessary environmental and sanitation requirements have been met.

The reason the human waste was stored in the building has not been disclosed.

A 48-hour standoff in Salford, England, has ended with police arresting a wanted 37-year-old man after he reportedly fell asleep on the roof of a small structure.

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Greater Manchester Police brought the lengthy incident to an end on August 15 after officers managed to reach the suspect while he was asleep.

The man had reportedly been wanted by police and was also due to be recalled to prison before officers eventually arrested him.

According to reports, officers from the Tactical Aid Unit climbed a ladder to reach the rooftop structure where the suspect had been staying. They then pulled him from the roof while he was asleep.

A struggle reportedly followed as officers took him into custody. During the struggle, his trousers appeared to fall down before he was eventually arrested in the garden.

Two police officers were also injured during the operation. Despite the difficulties faced by officers at the scene, Greater Manchester Police said the incident eventually came to a “safe conclusion”.

The 48-hour standoff had kept police at the scene as they worked to bring the situation to an end and safely take the wanted man into custody.

See video below………

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A 27-year-old South African man, Lelethu Nkosana, has been sentenced to two life terms after admitting to the r#pe and murd#r of 8-year-old Veronique May.

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Nkosana entered into a plea agreement in which he admitted to the offences and accepted responsibility for the killing.

During the proceedings, Nkosana admitted that he knew Veronique and had seen her playing with other children.

According to the plea agreement, he offered to give her money if she accompanied him to a room belonging to one of his relatives.

After they arrived, Nkosana said he discovered that the room was locked and intended to break the door open to gain entry.

He then admitted to undressing Veronique and s#xually assaulting her without her consent.

According to his admission, he later became overwhelmed by fear and shock and strangled Veronique until she became unresponsive and died.

He acknowledged that he knew strangling her could result in death but continued with the act.

Evidence presented during the case included DNA recovered from Veronique during her medical examination and from her clothing. Investigators also recovered fingerprints linking Nkosana to the scene.

The plea agreement recorded that Nkosana had no previous convictions. He was unmarried and had a four-year-old daughter who lives with her mother.

He had completed Grade 10 and earned money through odd jobs while contributing towards his daughter’s maintenance. He also sold raw meat for a neighbour.

Although the court was told that Nkosana acknowledged the seriousness of his actions and expressed remorse, the circumstances of the crime were considered too serious for his personal circumstances to outweigh the interests of society.

Nkosana accepted that there were no substantial and compelling circumstances that would justify reducing the prescribed minimum sentences.

The State and his legal representative, Mxolisi Moolman, agreed to a sentence of three years for housebreaking with intent to rape and murder, alongside life imprisonment for rape and life imprisonment for murder.

The agreement also stated that after entering into the plea agreement under Section 105A of the Criminal Procedure Act, Nkosana could not appeal the conviction or sentence imposed under the agreement.

Speaking to journalists, investigating officer Warrant Officer Mbulelo Grootboom, attached to the Family Violence, Child Protection and S#xual Offences (FCS) unit, said he was satisfied with the conviction following the investigation conducted by his team.

Grootboom said the State had strong evidence that could have resulted in a conviction even if Nkosana had not pleaded guilty.

He particularly credited the forensic team for helping investigators build the case.

“If any case is conducted correctly by those involved, it becomes easier to get a conviction,” he said.

“When I arrested him, Nkosana was wearing the same clothes he wore when he killed the victim. We managed to swab the clothes and lift the DNA of the victim.”

Grootboom revealed that he kept a photograph of Veronique on his desk as a reminder of the responsibility he had to pursue justice for her family.

“I do this to remind myself of the brutally m8rdered child’s family who deserves justice. I would follow up on all outstanding information related to the case to say that I have at least done something today. It is not easy to see the photo daily, as it reminds me of the crime scene I witnessed, but it keeps me motivated,” he said.

He also welcomed the decision to have Nkosana’s name included in the National Sex Offenders’ Register.

“To me, this conviction sends a serious message out there to the perpetrators of such gruesome acts,” he said.

Veronique’s mother, Destiny, said that although she had wanted to see justice served, the conviction could not erase the pain caused by the loss of her daughter.

Speaking to the Express, she described the sentencing as an important moment for the family and said she hoped it would serve as a reminder that those responsible for such crimes can be held accountable.

“As a woman in this month, I feel brave that I have made it out of this case, stronger than I was before. I am glad the sentencing happened this month, as a statement to remind those who would do something like this that justice will prevail,” she said.

A Nigerian man identified as Wislon Dakum has taken to social media to speak about what he described as repeated physical assault by his wife during their five years together.

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In a Facebook post, Dakum said he had previously chosen to remain silent about the alleged incidents but decided to speak publicly after what he described as a second assault.

According to him, he had tried to keep the matter private but said he could no longer remain silent.

He wrote:

“I REALLY WANT TO KEEP THIS QUIETLY BUT I CAN’T.THIS IS THE SECOND TIME MY WIFE ASSAULTED ME IN THE PAST 5 YEARS.SEEING HER MAKES ME WANT TO GO TO JAIL FOR LIFE”

US President Donald Trump has issued a strong warning to Oman, saying the United States could take military action against the country if it interferes with Washington’s efforts in the ongoing conflict with Iran.

Trump made the remarks while speaking to Fox News, where he also discussed communication between his administration and Iranian officials as both sides continue to face rising tensions.

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According to Trump, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had established a back channel with his administration as efforts to maintain communication continued.

Describing the Iranians as difficult negotiators, Trump said:

“They’re good poker players, but they’re dying. I have no time schedule. I’m not in a hurry.”
Trump Warns Oman Over Strait of Hormuz

Trump also addressed Oman’s involvement in negotiations surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically important waterway that plays a major role in international oil transportation.

Oman has been involved in diplomatic efforts aimed at finding a way to reopen the waterway and ease tensions surrounding the conflict.

However, Trump issued a direct warning when discussing the possibility of Oman interfering with American objectives.

He told reporters:

“If Oman gets in the way, we’ll bomb the s*** out of them.”

The unusually harsh warning comes as relations between the United States and Iran remain tense and efforts to reach a lasting agreement continue.

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The 60-day ceasefire between the United States and Iran is due to expire, raising concerns that hostilities could intensify once again.

The situation has become increasingly tense, with both countries maintaining firm positions over the issues at the centre of the conflict.

The Iranian military has also reportedly announced financial rewards for anyone who kills or kidnaps American soldiers in the region, further raising concerns about the safety of US personnel.

The United States does not currently have ground troops deployed inside Iran, although American military operations in the region have continued through air strikes.

The conflict has now entered its fifth month, with efforts to establish a permanent peace agreement facing serious difficulties.

Earlier this month, senior US military officials reportedly asked analysts to provide new ideas on ways the United States could increase pressure on Iran.

US President Donald Trump has provided an update on the release of American missionary Kevin Rideout, who spent more than nine months in captivity after being kidnapped in Niger.

Trump announced that Rideout had been reunited with his wife, Krista, and was preparing to return to the United States.

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In a post shared on Truth Social, Trump wrote:

“I am happy to reveal that former hostage Kevin Rideout is getting ready to fly home to the United States after having been reunited with his beautiful wife, Krista,” Trump wrote.

The US president described Rideout’s release as the 110th instance of an American captive being freed since he began his second term in office.

Trump added:

“I look forward to seeing Kevin and Krista at the White House soon!”

Rideout was reportedly kidnapped outside his residence in Niamey, Niger, in October 2025.

According to reports, three armed men abducted the American missionary before transporting him toward the Tillaberi region in western Niger, an area that has experienced significant militant activity.

Rideout had spent approximately 19 years working in Niger and served as a pilot for SIM International, a Christian organisation operating in more than 70 countries.

Following his release, the Christian organisation confirmed that Rideout was in good health and receiving care from US officials.

However, authorities have not publicly disclosed details about how his release was secured.

The identities of the people who allegedly held him captive also remain unknown, while the circumstances surrounding the negotiations or operation that led to his freedom have not been made public.