Share
RIVERSIDE — A California couple who shackled some of their 13 children to beds and starved them pleaded guilty Friday to torture and other abuse in a case dubbed a “house of horrors.”
David and Louise Turpin pleaded guilty Friday in Riverside County Superior Court to 14 counts that included abusing minor and adult children and imprisoning them in their house that appeared to be neatly kept from the outside in a modest subdivision.
The couple was arrested in January 2018 when their 17-year-old daughter called 911 after escaping from the family’s home in the city of Perris, southeast of Los Angeles.
The children, who ranged in age from 2 to 29 at the time, were severely underweight and hadn’t bathed for months and the house reeked of human waste.
Investigators said some of the children had stunted growth and wasted muscles and described being beaten, starved and put in cages.
In a recording of the 911 call played in court last year, the girl who escaped said two younger sisters and a brother were chained to their beds and she couldn’t take it any longer.
“They will wake up at night and they will start crying and they wanted me to call somebody,” she said in a high-pitched voice. “I wanted to call y’all so y’all can help my sisters.”
Children Were Deprived of Food, Toys, and Games
The intervention by authorities marked a new start for the 13 Turpin offspring who lived in such isolation that some didn’t even understand the role of the police when they arrived at the house.
Two girls, 11 and 14, had been hastily released from their chains when police showed up, but a 22-year-old son remained shackled.
Authorities said the children were deprived of food and things other kids take for granted, such as toys and games, and were allowed to do little except write in journals.
An investigator testified that some suffered from severe malnutrition and muscle wasting, including an 11-year-old girl who had arms the size of an infant. The 17-year-old who had difficulty pronouncing some words and spoke like a much younger child.
The kids were rarely allowed outside, though they went out on Halloween and traveled as a family to Disneyland and Las Vegas, investigators said. The children spent most of their time locked in their rooms except for limited meals or using the bathroom.
All the children were hospitalized immediately after they were discovered. Riverside County authorities then obtained temporary conservatorship over the adults.
RELATED TOPICS:
Tim Walz Urges Democrats to Fight Back Harder Against ‘Bully’ Trump
1 day ago
Ancient DNA Reveals a New Group of People Who Lived Near Land Bridge Between the Americas
4 hours ago
Cabrera, Three Relievers Combine to Lead Marlins to Win Over Giants
18 hours ago
Spike in Steel Tariffs Could Imperil Trump Promise of Lower Grocery Prices
18 hours ago
Dodgers’ Mookie Betts Out With Broken Toe After Late-Night Bedroom Mishap
18 hours ago
California Gubernatorial Candidate Steve Hilton Vows to Repeal Transgender Athlete Law
22 hours ago
Trans Athlete Competes in California Championships in Clovis Despite National Controversy
1 day ago
Tim Walz Urges Democrats to Fight Back Harder Against ‘Bully’ Trump
1 day ago
Ancient DNA Reveals a New Group of People Who Lived Near Land Bridge Between the Americas
4 hours ago
Cabrera, Three Relievers Combine to Lead Marlins to Win Over Giants
18 hours ago
Spike in Steel Tariffs Could Imperil Trump Promise of Lower Grocery Prices
18 hours ago
Dodgers’ Mookie Betts Out With Broken Toe After Late-Night Bedroom Mishap
18 hours ago
California Gubernatorial Candidate Steve Hilton Vows to Repeal Transgender Athlete Law
22 hours ago
Trans Athlete Competes in California Championships in Clovis Despite National Controversy
1 day ago
Tim Walz Urges Democrats to Fight Back Harder Against ‘Bully’ Trump
1 day ago
Townsizing? Land Snorkeling? A User’s Guide to the Latest Travel Lingo
3 hours ago
Categories

Townsizing? Land Snorkeling? A User’s Guide to the Latest Travel Lingo

Trump Trade War Has Already Had Huge Effect on California Ports

Cambodian American Chefs Are Finding Success and Raising Their Culture’s Profile. On Their Terms

Ancient DNA Reveals a New Group of People Who Lived Near Land Bridge Between the Americas

Cabrera, Three Relievers Combine to Lead Marlins to Win Over Giants

Spike in Steel Tariffs Could Imperil Trump Promise of Lower Grocery Prices

Dodgers’ Mookie Betts Out With Broken Toe After Late-Night Bedroom Mishap
