The case involving Elizabeth Siders, her husband and her in-laws has taken another turn after her attorney sought a formal competency evaluation for the mother of 16 children.

Siders is facing 16 counts of child endangerment after authorities removed the children from a home in Hamden, Ohio, in June. The children, ranging from 18 months to 18 years old, were reportedly living in extremely poor conditions, and several required medical evaluation.

Her attorney has argued that Siders may have significant mєntal-health issues and is asking the court to determine whether she is competent to stand trial. If she is found competent, the defense is also seeking a further evaluation concerning her mєntal state at the time of the alleged offenses.

The development is adding another layer to a case that has already raised major questions about isolation, parental responsibility and how the situation remained unnoticed for so long.

For now, the allegations remain matters for the court to determine. The competency evaluation could become an important next step in deciding how the case proceeds.