A press briefing was held by the District Attorney of the Riverside County, Mike Hestrin, who addressed journalists last week on the ongoing investigation involving 13 abused and maltreated children who were discovered in one house located in California.
The horrific scene was stumbled upon on the 18th of January, 2018, when the kids were found tied down with chains. Among the victims were seven children, and their own parents, David and Louise Turpin, happened to be the real captors.
This captivity went on for many months until one of them who was 17 years found her courage and jumped out through one of the rooms’ windows. She had previously sneaked a mobile phone out of the ‘home of terrors’ before taking the bold step to escape. When she was far away from the prison-like house, she put a call through to security agents and finally, she and her siblings were saved.
The road to a new life after captivity
Hestrin declared that the couple who are the owners of the house where their own children were discovered have been arrested and charged.
Fortunately, a lawyer to seven out of the victims who are all siblings announced that they have regained freedom since their emancipation from the house that investigators referred to as “home of terrors.” They are presently living as one family (without their parents though) and recovering from the trauma after a very long time in bondage.
The lawyer appointed for the case, Jack Osborn, is also vested with the responsibility of monitoring the Turpins’ social and mental welfare. While speaking to the journalists recently, Osborn tried to paint a vivid picture of the harrowing experiences the 13 Turpins went through in that home and the new life they now have after their release. The seven freed victims consist of males and females, between the ages of 2-29 years. The siblings first spent eight weeks at Corona Regional Medical Centre for quality treatment and were discharged last week Thursday.
On January 18th, 13 children from the same family were discovered and freed from the sharp claws belonging to their parents, Louise and David Turpin. The couple held down the younger Turpins in chains in their house at Perris, California, and barely feeding them because when the siblings were found, they looked gaunt and lean.
At the moment, David and Louise are being accused of many crimes, such as child abuse and torment. The younger Turpins suffered several painful afflictions which included starvation and misery. According to their prosecutors’ January report, the couple only allowed them to have their baths once every year and only gave them one ration of food a day.
They went through horrible times being stationed in one spot due to chains used to tie them to their beds or pinned down like animals, with no chance to use the restroom for so long, the reports said. However, David gave them some academic privileges by schooling them within the confines of the home, where he acted as the teacher and administrator.
Osborn is happy with the Turpins’ diet and lifestyle
The good news as of now is that the seven freed kids who are grown-ups presently have been accommodated in one secret home in one rural settlement, California. They have also seen their pet dog again which has been with the family for long, says Osborn. He added that the next plan is to relocate them to a better apartment that has more conducive bedrooms, then if possible, see how the recuperating siblings can learn to go outside.
He, however, clarified that the older siblings have said that they don’t want to be seen as victims, but would prefer to be referred to as survivors.
Right now, all seven siblings have access to quality food and fruits such as citrus, which they enjoy so much. They also like any food with freshness, and among their favorites are soup, pasta and most especially, fruits.
Also confirming their freedom was Mark Uffer, who is the CEO at the Corona Regional Medical Centre, the hospital which admitted the rescued Turpins for medical attention. He went on to say that in all sincerity, the members of staff at the hospital wish that the strong-willed siblings would press on in their strength, and now that a new life is about to begin, they would still be strong to continue their trip into recovery.
