The Turpin Children’s Ongoing Ordeal: Unveiling Systemic Failures After Their Rescue from Abuse

The harrowing saga of the 13 Turpin children, initially brought to public attention by their dramatic rescue from unimaginable abuse in 2018, has taken a new, deeply disturbing turn. A recent comprehensive investigation reveals that after escaping the horrific conditions imposed by their parents, David and Louise Turpin, these children were thrust into a ‘broken system’ that, far from offering solace and support, allegedly perpetuated their suffering. This extensive inquiry highlights how the very mechanisms designed to protect vulnerable children ultimately ‘failed’ them, leaving a profound impact on their journey towards healing and independence.

In January 2018, the world watched in awe as Jordan Turpin, then 17, demonstrated extraordinary bravery by escaping from her family’s Perris, California home and alerting authorities to the abuse she and her 12 siblings endured. This courageous act led to the rescue of all 13 children and the subsequent arrest of their parents, David and Louise Turpin, who were later sentenced to life in prison. However, the subsequent years, which were expected to mark a period of recovery and rehabilitation for the Turpin children, instead unveiled a new chapter of hardship. An investigation by ABC News, featuring prominently on ABC’s20/20, revealed that the children, after being placed into the care of the state, faced further alleged neglect and abuse within the foster care system and under the supervision of a public guardian. This shocking revelation has prompted several county officials to speak out, determined to expose the systemic shortcomings that ‘failed these victims’ at a critical juncture in their lives.

Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin, a key figure in the initial prosecution of the Turpin parents, expressed his profound disappointment and outrage regarding the post-rescue treatment of the children. In the ABC’s20/20 special on November 19, he stated, “The public deserves to know what their government did and didn’t do, and how we failed these victims.” His sentiment underscores a widespread frustration with the system’s inability to provide basic necessities and adequate support to children who had already endured unfathomable trauma. Hestrin continued, emphasizing the gravity of the situation: “[It’s] unimaginable to me that we could have the very worst case of child abuse that I’ve ever seen, maybe one of the worst in California history, and that we would then not be able to get it together to give them basic needs, basic necessities.” This powerful statement highlights the immense chasm between the promise of protection and the grim reality faced by the Turpin children.

Immediate Aftermath: Foster Care and Public Guardianship

Upon their rescue in January 2018, the Turpin children were divided according to their age. Seven of the 13 children were minors at the time and were subsequently placed into foster care. The remaining six, who were adults, were assigned a court-appointed public guardian. This guardian was tasked with managing various critical aspects of their lives, including health care, nutrition, safety, housing, and education. The expectation was that these placements would provide a stable and nurturing environment, a stark contrast to the ‘house of horrors’ they had escaped. However, the investigation suggests that this was not the case, particularly for the minors in foster care.

Allegations of Further Abuse in Foster Care

The transition into foster care, tragically, did not bring an end to the Turpin children’s ordeal. Instead, the ABC News investigation revealed disturbing allegations of additional abuse and neglect for an extended period of time within the foster care system. These allegations paint a grim picture of a system that failed to adequately vet caregivers or monitor the welfare of highly vulnerable children. In one particularly shocking instance, a foster parent allegedly told one of the Turpin girls that they understood why her biological parents had resorted to chaining her up. This horrific statement, echoing the very abuse from which she was rescued, highlights the profound trauma inflicted upon the children and the alarming insensitivity they encountered in the very system meant to protect them. Such incidents underscore the urgent need for greater accountability and oversight within foster care placements, especially for children who have experienced severe and prolonged maltreatment.

The Neglect of Older Siblings Under Public Guardianship

The adult Turpin siblings faced a different, yet equally challenging, set of circumstances under the care of their public guardian. They were reportedly placed in high-violence neighborhoods, a decision that raised serious questions about the guardian’s judgment and commitment to their safety. More critically, they were allegedly denied fundamental care and assistance. One of the older siblings, Joshua Turpin, now 29, spoke candidly with ABC News about the guardian’s alleged failings. He recounted the guardian’s unwillingness to teach them essential life skills, such as how to navigate public transportation, safely cross a street, or even access their crucial health care benefits. Joshua’s poignant testimony captured the guardian’s dismissive attitude: “When I would ask her for help, she would just tell me, you know, ‘Just go Google it.’” This response epitomizes a profound lack of support and guidance, leaving young adults, who had been deprived of normal social development, struggling to cope with the complexities of independent living. The guardian’s alleged negligence left the Turpin adults ill-equipped for the challenges of daily life, further exacerbating the damage inflicted by their past.

Financial Mismanagement and Inaccessible Aid

Following the widespread media coverage of their rescue, the Turpin children garnered immense public sympathy, leading to generous donations totaling approximately $600,000. This outpouring of support was intended to provide them with a fresh start and the resources needed for their recovery and future. However, as investigative reporter David Scott of ABC News revealed, despite these substantial funds, the children reportedly continued to live in poor conditions. Scott explained that “most of that money went into an official trust overseen by the court and hidden from public oversight.” The lack of transparency surrounding these funds and the county officials’ refusal to disclose details about their expenditure raised serious concerns. The Turpin children themselves confirmed that these much-needed funds were exceedingly difficult to access, preventing them from utilizing the financial support meant to secure their housing, education, and healthcare. This financial barrier added another layer of systemic failure, effectively isolating the children from the resources crucial for their rehabilitation and independence.

Retired Superior Court of California Judge LaDoris H. Cordell voiced her dismay over the revelations, particularly the profound irony of the situation. “It horrifies me to think things like this are happening to people who have been abused in a system that was specifically set up to help them,” she told ABC News. Her statement encapsulates the widespread sentiment of betrayal and disappointment felt by many who believed in the efficacy of the child protective services system. Judge Cordell’s stark conclusion resonated deeply: “Shamefully, the system failed this family.” Her words serve as a powerful indictment of the systemic deficiencies that allowed the Turpin children to fall through the cracks not once, but twice.

Sharing Their Story: The 20/20 Special and Ongoing Resilience

The multi-part 20/20 special provided a crucial platform for two of the Turpin siblings, Jordan and Jennifer Turpin, to share their harrowing experiences. In deeply personal interviews, they recounted the unimaginable horrors they endured in their parents’ home, offering a glimpse into a life of deprivation and cruelty. Jordan’s brave escape, the catalyst for their freedom, was highlighted as a moment of incredible courage and determination. The special not only shed light on their past but also brought public attention to the subsequent challenges they faced within the state’s care system, underscoring the vital need for reform and accountability. Their willingness to speak out has become a beacon of hope for other victims of systemic failures.

Despite the immense obstacles, the Turpin children are slowly but surely forging their paths forward. According to some of their siblings, the youngest four Turpin children are now reportedly together in a foster home and are said to be happy, finding solace and stability in each other’s company. The older children, displaying remarkable resilience, are leaning on one another for support, navigating the complexities of the world, and learning to get by. Their journey is far from over, but their determination to overcome adversity and build a better future stands as a testament to the enduring strength of the human spirit. Their story continues to serve as a powerful reminder of the profound responsibility society holds towards its most vulnerable members and the critical importance of ensuring that the systems designed to protect them truly deliver on their promise.

Reflecting on Systemic Failures and the Path Forward

The Turpin children’s story, from their initial rescue to their subsequent struggles within the foster care and public guardianship systems, serves as a stark and painful illustration of deep-seated systemic failures. It exposes cracks in the foundation of child protective services, highlighting issues such as inadequate oversight of foster placements, insufficient support for adult wards, and a lack of transparency in managing funds designated for victims. The revelations from the ABC News investigation have ignited calls for comprehensive reform within Riverside County and beyond, urging for increased accountability, improved training for foster parents and public guardians, and more accessible resources for survivors of abuse. The public’s outrage, amplified by the voices of officials like District Attorney Mike Hestrin and Judge LaDoris H. Cordell, underscores the collective responsibility to ensure that no child, especially those rescued from such severe trauma, ever falls victim to a ‘broken system’ again. The Turpin children’s resilience, even in the face of ongoing adversity, is inspiring, but their journey should not have been this difficult. Their experiences must serve as a catalyst for meaningful change, guaranteeing that future generations of vulnerable children receive the genuine care, protection, and opportunities for healing they desperately deserve.