David Allen Turpin is a resident of Perris, California. [3] [5] [9] [12] [14] In January 2018, he and his wife received international media attention, after it was revealed they kept their children at their residence, described as a house of horrors in horrible living conditions. [33] [32] [30] [27]
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Personal Life
He is married to Louise Anna Turpin. They both have thirteen children together, between the ages of 2 and 29. [3] [5] [9] [12] [14]
The family moved to Perris 2014, and had previously lived in Texas. [21] [20] He is the brother of Dr. Randy Turpin. [28] [33]
Career
David is the principal of the private Sandcastle Day School, a school which he homeschools his children at their residence. [21] [12]
The couple filed for bankruptcy in California in 2011, stating in court documents that they owed between $100,000 and $500,000 in debt. At that time, Turpin worked as an engineer at Northrop Northrop Grumman, and earned $140,000 annually. [14]
In the Media
On Sunday, January 14, 2018, David and Louise were arrested after their children were found shackled to beds inside their home. [3] [5] [9] [12] [23]
A 17-year-old girl escaped from the home in the 100 block of Muir Woods Road and called 911 to report that her 12 brothers and sisters were being held captive by their parents. [3] [5] [9] [12]
She also alleged some of her siblings were bound in padlocked chains. Investigators discovered several children emaciated shackled to their beds with chains and padlocks in dark and foul-smelling surroundings. [3] [5] [9] [12]
David and Louise were both charged with torture and child endangerment. They were taken to the Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside, California. Bail was set at $13 million for each. [23] [3] [5] [9]
The children were taken into protective custody and are currently receiving medical treatment. [14] [9] [12] Neighbors described the Turpin parents as being odd. One neighbor stated she never saw a scooter or bike in the front yard. [20] [19]
David Turpin’s parents, James and Betty Turpin stated that they have not seen them in years, and stated that they are religious and kept having children because God called on them. [27] [21]
The grandparents also stated that the children are homeschooled, made to memorize long scriptures in the Bible. Some of the children have tried to memorize the entire book. [27] [21]
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Legal proceedings
The parents are expected to be arraigned on Thursday, January 17, 2018. [27] [21] Both Turpins were charged with 12 counts of torture, 7 counts of abuse on a dependent adult, 12 counts of false imprisonment, and 6 counts of child abuse. [28] [28]
The couple could face up to life in prison if found guilty. [30] [27] Each defendant is held in lieu of $13 million bail, $1 million per child. [30] [28]
Living conditions of children
The 13 starving siblings hardly ever saw the sun and were allowed, to eat only one rationed meal a day and shower just once a year. [28] [33]
They were allegedly beaten, choked and shackled to their beds with no access to a bathroom for months at a time for supposed offenses like playing with water when they washed their hands. [28] [33]
The parents would buy toys, but not let their children them play with them or even take them out of the packaging. [28] They would make pumpkins pies and not let the hungry children eat them. [28] [33]
They were supposed to be home schooled, but they were so clueless about the world many of the children didn't know what a police officer was. [28] [33]
The family dogs, two Maltese Terriers were found in better physical condition than the children and had been fed and taken care of. [33] [32]
Police probe
Cops are set to conduct DNA tests and search for kids who may have not survived. [33] [32] Authorities also stated that David Turpin kidnapped his future wife, Louise, when she was 16 years old so they could elope. [33] [32]
