The Turpin Family ‘House of Horrors’: A Deep Dive into David and Louise Turpin’s Abusive Imprisonment and the Path to Justice

The shocking case of David and Louise Turpin, often referred to as the ‘House of Horrors,’ captivated and horrified the world when the full extent of their atrocities came to light in 2018. For years, the couple subjected their thirteen children to unimaginable cruelty, torture, false imprisonment, and severe neglect within the confines of their seemingly ordinary California home. After a harrowing escape by one of their teenage daughters, police raided the residence in Perris, California, uncovering a scene of systemic abuse that defied belief. In 2019, David Turpin, 60, and Louise Turpin, 53, were sentenced to life in prison for their horrific crimes, which included child cruelty, torture, and cruelty to a dependent adult. Their story continues to resonate, particularly as some of the courageous Turpin children prepare to speak out about their experiences in an upcoming ABC 20/20 Special with Diane Sawyer, scheduled for Friday, November 19. This article delves into the background of David and Louise Turpin, the unspeakable acts they committed, the legal ramifications, and the remarkable journey of their children towards healing and recovery.

The Early Lives and Marriage of David and Louise Turpin

David and Louise Turpin’s relationship began under unusual circumstances. According to a report by TIME, they married in 1985 when David was 23 years old and Louise was just 16. Both were originally from West Virginia. The couple’s life was characterized by frequent relocations, a pattern that, in hindsight, may have enabled them to isolate their growing family and conceal their abusive practices from public scrutiny. After their marriage, they lived in various locations in Texas, including Fort Worth and Rio Vista, before eventually moving to California in 2010. Their final move to Perris, California, in 2014, was where the “House of Horrors” ultimately unraveled. Throughout these years, David Turpin maintained a public facade of normalcy, working as an engineer for reputable companies such as Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. This professional background starkly contrasted with the squalid and brutal conditions he maintained at home. By the time of their arrest, the Turpins had 13 children, ranging in age from two to 29 years old. Louise’s sister, Teresa Robinette, offered a disturbing glimpse into the couple’s private life in a 2018 interview, revealing details about an unconventional sexual relationship. Robinette claimed, “She told me that her and David had met a man online from Alabama. And that they were on their way there to meet him, and that she was going to sleep with him, and that David was okay with that.” These revelations further highlighted the deeply disturbing and dysfunctional nature of their private lives, which had devastating consequences for their children.

The Horrors Within: Uncovering the Abuse Inflicted by David and Louise

The truth about the Turpin household came to light in January 2018, when 17-year-old Jordan Turpin displayed immense courage by escaping the family home and calling the police. Her harrowing 911 call, later released to the public, provided the first concrete evidence of the systematic abuse endured by her and her siblings. During the call, an audio recording of which was made public, Jordan revealed the terrifying conditions: “My parents are abusive,” she stated, adding that three of her siblings were chained to their beds. She described a life of perpetual filth and neglect, telling the dispatcher, “Sometimes we live in filth and sometimes I wake up and I can’t breathe, because how dirty the house is,” and that she hadn’t had a bath in approximately a year. These statements were just the tip of the iceberg of the horrific discoveries made by law enforcement. Police found children, some of whom were adults, chained to beds, often for months at a time, as punishment. The children were severely malnourished, deprived of adequate food, hygiene, education, and medical care. They were only allowed to shower once a year, and their diets were so restricted that they suffered from cognitive impairment and nerve damage. The children were reportedly allowed only one meal a day and were forced to stay awake through the night, sleeping only a few hours. This deliberate isolation and control prevented them from interacting with the outside world, further cementing their parents’ power. While Jordan’s escape ultimately led to intervention, a former neighbor shared with People in January 2018 that one of the Turpin daughters had attempted to run away years earlier when the family lived in Texas, only to be reportedly returned by the police—a chilling indication of missed opportunities for intervention.

Further investigation and court documents detailed the shocking state of the victims. Upon entering the home, deputies initially believed they had located 12 children, but were stunned to discover that seven of them were actually adults, ranging in age from 18 to 29. Their physical appearance was so drastically stunted by malnutrition and neglect that they resembled minors. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department’s statement at the time highlighted this distressing finding: “Deputies located what they believed to be 12 children inside the house, but were shocked to discover that [seven] of them were actually adults, ranging in age from 18 to 29. The victims appeared to be malnourished and very dirty.” The children also exhibited a lack of basic knowledge about the world, having received little to no formal education, indicating a complete sensory deprivation and isolation from society. They were largely unfamiliar with common phrases and concepts, further underscoring the extreme extent of their parents’ control and neglect.

The Charges and Sentencing of David and Louise Turpin

The legal proceedings against David and Louise Turpin moved swiftly given the overwhelming evidence of abuse. In February 2019, both individuals entered guilty pleas to a staggering 14 felony counts each, a move that spared their children the ordeal of testifying in a prolonged trial. These charges included child endangerment, false imprisonment, torture, and cruelty to dependent adults, encompassing the extensive suffering they had inflicted upon their offspring. According to NPR, the Turpins were formally sentenced in April 2019 to life in prison, marking a critical moment of justice for their victims. While the sentence was life imprisonment, the court stipulated that they would be eligible for parole after 22 years. This outcome reflected the severity and long-term nature of their crimes, sending a clear message about the consequences of such heinous acts. During the sentencing, several of the Turpin children, identified as Jane Doe to protect their privacy, delivered emotional victim impact statements in court, courageously confronting their parents and sharing the profound trauma they endured, as well as their hopes for the future. These statements underscored the enduring psychological and emotional scars left by years of abuse, even as they demonstrated the children’s remarkable resilience and determination to rebuild their lives.

The Turpin Children’s Journey to Healing and Independence

In the aftermath of their rescue, the 13 Turpin children embarked on an extraordinary journey of healing, recovery, and rediscovery. Their story, marked by unimaginable hardship, has also become a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. The upcoming 20/20special featuring interviews with Jordan and one of her sisters is a significant milestone, allowing these survivors to reclaim their narratives and shed light on the long-term impact of their ordeal. During their parents’ sentencing, the children’s victim impact statements offered powerful glimpses into their individual paths. One daughter bravely declared she was “taking [her life] back,” asserting, “I am a fighter. I am strong and I am shooting through life like a rocket,” as reported by People. These words captured the essence of their newfound freedom and determination. Among the siblings, individual successes have emerged, showcasing their ability to adapt and thrive despite their past. One of their sons, Joshua, for instance, has embarked on higher education, pursuing computer engineering in college, demonstrating a remarkable drive for learning and personal growth that was denied to him for so long. Riverside County Deputy District Attorney Kevin Beecham, who was deeply involved in the case, shared with People that the children have made incredible progress in leading normal, independent lives. “Some of them are living independently, living in their own apartment, and have jobs and are going to school. Some volunteer in the community. They go to church,” he stated. Crucially, the Turpin siblings have maintained a strong bond, continuing to meet regularly—”all 13 of them,” in discreet locations—finding solace and strength in their shared experience and unwavering support for one another. Their journey is ongoing, but their progress highlights the profound capacity for recovery and the importance of community and support in overcoming severe trauma.

David and Louise Turpin’s Apologies in Court

During their sentencing, both David and Louise Turpin offered apologies to their children in court. Their statements were met with a mix of skepticism and sorrow, contrasting sharply with the years of brutality they inflicted. David Turpin expressed remorse, stating, “I never intended for any harm to come to my children. I’m sorry if I’ve done anything to cause them harm,” according to ABC News. He continued, “I hope the very best for my children in the future.” Louise Turpin delivered a similar, albeit brief, apology, tearfully telling the court, “I’m sorry for everything I’ve done to hurt my children. I love my children so much. I look forward to the day I can see them, hug them, and tell them I’m sorry.” While these words were spoken in a public forum, their sincerity was questioned by many, given the extensive and deliberate nature of the abuse. The profound disconnect between their expressions of love and their actions underscored the complex psychological dynamics of the Turpin case. These apologies did little to diminish the public’s outrage or to erase the deep scars left on their children, who are now striving to forge new lives free from the shadow of their parents’ cruelty.

The Turpin family case stands as a stark reminder of the hidden dangers of child abuse and the critical need for vigilance within communities. The courage of Jordan Turpin and her siblings, who endured years of horrific conditions only to emerge as survivors, continues to inspire. Their journey from captivity to independence underscores the power of resilience and the essential role of justice in protecting the most vulnerable among us. As their story unfolds further in public forums, it reinforces the importance of speaking out against abuse and supporting those who bravely reclaim their lives.