After years of unimaginable abuse, a teenager bravely escaped the home where she and her 12 siblings, had been tortured by their own parents. It was a plan two years in the making. After grabbing a cellphone from the ‘California torture house,’ she called 911 and alerted authorities.
“This is severe, emotional, physical abuse… This is depraved conduct,” Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin lamented to CNN.
The prosecutor describes the case as one of the worst displays of “human depravity” he has encountered.
He also recounted how “what started out as neglect” soon turned into horrifyingly “severe, pervasive, and prolonged abuse.”
California Torture House: Couple subjected their 13 children to horrific abuse
Image source: Riverside County Sheriff’s Department
David Turpin, 56 and Louise Turpin, 49 first started “punishing” their children, aged two to 29, by tying them up with ropes or shackles. They would leave them bound for weeks up to months at a time.
The Turpins would allegedly beat and choke their children frequently.
They would also deprive their kids of food, only allowing them one meal per day. They would cruelly present them with fresh pies they weren’t allowed to eat.
Because of this brutal treatment, the children were severely malnourished. One 12-year-old’s weight was typical of an average seven-year-old.
They were allowed to shower just once a year.
In the past four years, they had not been to the doctor or dentist. The children and young adults didn’t even know basic information about daily living. They could not even identify what a police officer looked like.
Image source: Mike Blake/Reuters
Neighbours around the ‘California torture house’ noticed strange behaviour
The family had been living in Perris, California since 2014. But according to reports, the abuse began when they were still living in Texas.
The neighbours described the couple and the homeschooled kids as aloof.
Neighbours described the kids as frail and malnourished, and “scared to death.” The children would freeze whenever anyone would try to talk to them. Despite the children’s odd behaviour, neighbours didn’t feel like it was worrying enough to call the police.
The court has charged the Turpins with:
- 12 counts of torture
- 1 lewd act against a child
- 7 counts of abuse against a dependent adult
- 6 counts of child abuse/neglect
- 12 counts of false imprisonment
They have plead not guilty. They will be sentenced to 94 years to life imprisonment if they are eventually found guilty.
The 13 siblings were immediately brought to the hospital after they were rescued. Aside from cognitive impairments, they suffered nerve damage because of “extreme and prolonged physical abuse,” District Attorney Hestrin tells the New York Times.
Authorities assured the public that they are now caring for the abused siblings and ensuring their safety.
Image source: Facebook
Where to report suspected child abuse in Singapore
As this terrible ‘California torture house’ case shows, abusers can appear like ordinary citizens who can be occasionally “odd and reclusive.” Because of this, they often go unnoticed for years.
If you have the slightest suspicion that a neighbour or relative is engaging in child abuse, call the Child Protective Service Helpline at 1800-777 0000.
You can also seek help from the following Child Protection Specialist Centres:
6819 9170
heartadmin@fycs.org
Monday-Friday, 9.30am-5.30pm
Big Love Child Protection Specialist Centre
6445 0400
contact@biglove.org.sg
Monday-Friday, 9.00am-6.00pm
6266 0171
admincpsc@pave.org.sg
Monday-Friday, 9.00am-1.00pm; 2.00pm-6.00pm
Or do not hesitate to call the Police Divisional HQ or the Neighbourhood Police Post nearest your home.
Sources: The New York Times, CNN, BBC
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