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Gary Siders Jr. pleaded not guilty to all counts on Wednesday. (WSYX)

Gary Siders Jr. appeared in handcuffs in a Vinton County courtroom Wednesday and pleaded not guilty to a host of crimes.

Siders is the father of 16 children who were in Vinton County on June 30. He was charged with in that case, but, more recently, he was charged with unlawful sexual conduct with a minor more than 10 years younger than his own age.

He pleaded not guilty to all charges in both cases Wednesday. His bond was increased to $550,000.

ABC6 was the only station inside the courtroom.

Gary Siders Jr. pleaded not guilty to all counts on Wednesday. (WSYX)

The indictment identifies Gary Siders Jr. as a relative of the victim in the unlawful sexual misconduct case.

His wife, Elizabeth Siders, the mother of the 16 children, is also charged in both cases and is awaiting arraignment.

Vinton County Prosecutor William Archer argued Siders Jr. is a flight risk and said he has been trying to hide from authorities for years.

Siders Jr. is now being held in jail on a $550,000 bond.

His attorney said the 16 children rescued from the Hamden home remain in the care of children’s services.

He also said the minor involved in the sexual misconduct case is currently out of state.

ABC 6 also is learning more about the people connected to the sexual misconduct investigation, which investigators said ultimately led to the 16 children being rescued.

Forty-year-old Brandon Henderson and 23-year-old Joshua Saunders are also charged with sexual abuse.

Birth records obtained by ABC6 show Joshua Saunders is the grandson of Christina Siders and Gary Siders Sr.

Christina Siders and Gary Siders Sr. are the grandparents of the 16 children and also are charged with child endangerment.

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