Some of the 13 children who were starved and shackled to their beds by their parents in a so-called 'House of Horrors' near Los Angeles have spoken out at the couple’s sentencing hearing.
David Allen Turpin and his wife Louise Anna Turpin were arrested after their 17-year-old daughter escaped from their home and alerted police.
She was one of 13 siblings, aged between two and 29-years-old who had been abused at the property, later dubbed the ‘House of Horrors.’
The pair were this evening officially handed sentences of 25 years to life in prison.
Both have now been sentenced by the judge to 25 years to life, as previously agreed to with our office in the plea agreements.
— Riverside County DA's Office (@RivCoDA) April 19, 2019
They were sentenced after two of the children read out statements to the court.
One of their sons said he “cannot describe in words what we went through going up.”
“Sometimes I still have nightmares of things that had happened, such as my siblings being chained up or getting beaten - but that is the past and this is now.
“I love my parents and have forgiven them for a lot of the things that they did to us.
“I have learned so much and become very independent.”
He is now reading his own statement. “I cannot describe in words what we went through going up.” He says he’s forgiven his parents. Says he has now learned to ride a bike and is going to college, studying to be a software engineer.
— Riverside County DA's Office (@RivCoDA) April 19, 2019
He said he has since learned to ride a bike and now cycles everywhere.
“I live in an apartment and go to a nearby college,” he said.
“I am getting a bachelor's degree in software engineering and after I get my bachelor's degree I'm going to get a job as a software engineer and go to school part-time to get my master's degree.”
One of the daughters said: "Now I'm taking my life back."
"I'm a fighter, I'm strong and I'm shooting through life like a rocket.
"I'm in college now and living independently. I love hanging out with my friends and life is great.
“I believe everything happens for a reason. Life may have been bad, but it made me strong. I fought to become the person I am."
He is now reading his own statement. “I cannot describe in words what we went through going up.” He says he’s forgiven his parents. Says he has now learned to ride a bike and is going to college, studying to be a software engineer.
— Riverside County DA's Office (@RivCoDA) April 19, 2019
It comes after the 911 call that alerted police to the house was released.
The 17-year-old girl risked severe punishment from her parents after she broke out of the house through a window and found a phone box to make the call.
Talking to a police dispatcher, she outlined the years of horrific abuse she suffered along with her siblings.
"I've never been out. I don't go out much," she said.
File photo of Louise Turpin, left, and her husband, David Turpin at the Superior Court in Riverside, California, 03-08-2018. Image: Phomicinda/The Orange County Register/SCNG via APHouse of Horrors
She said two of her sisters and one brother were "chained to their bed" and explained that "sometimes we live in filth, and sometimes I wake up and I can't breathe because how dirty the house is."
When the call handler asked when she last had a bath, she replied: "I don't know. Almost a year ago."
Despite her bravery, the girl did not know her address, what month it was, or what the word "medication" meant.
Police soon arrived at the house in Perris, some 96km outside of Los Angeles, and found the shackled son as well as the two daughters who had just been released.
The Turpin FamilyAbuse
He said he had been tied up with ropes at first but was restrained with increasingly larger chains over a period of six years because he'd learned to wriggle free.
He said he and his siblings were being punished because they had been suspected of stealing food and being disrespectful.
Investigators reported the stench of human waste was overwhelming and the house was covered in filth.
The two parents were subsequently arrested: David Turpin, a 57-year-old engineer, and his wife Louise, who was listed as a housewife in a 2011 bankruptcy filing.
They claimed the children were home-schooled, but only the eldest completed third grade - equivalent to Year 4 in England.
"We don't really do school. I haven't finished first grade," the 17-year-old who phoned police said.
Their children were severely underweight and some were suffering from stunted growth and wasted muscles.
Torture
In February, the couple pleaded guilty to 14 criminal charges including torture, abuse and neglect.
After the plea, Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin said the guilty pleas were part of a deal which will mean the children will not have to testify.
He said the pair were facing 25 years in prison.
All the children were taken to hospital when they were discovered, and Riverside County authorities have taken temporary care over the adults.
Those under 18 are in child protection agencies.
