In a horrifying discovery, police in Perris, California have discovered thirteen victims ranging from 2 to 29-years-old shacked to their beds in foul surroundings by their parents.
Sheriff officials say early Sunday morning, a 17-year-old girl escaped from captivity in 100 Block of Muir Woods Road with a cell phone and called 911. The girl told the 911 operator she and her 12 siblings were being held captive in their parents home.
Investigators from the Perris Police department and the Riverside County Sheriff's Department met the teen and were shocked to find she looked emaciated and appeared to be only 10 years old despite the fact she was actually 17.
Authorities interviewed the girl and went to the home of her parents, 57-year old David Allen Turpin and 49-year old Louise Anna Turpin. There they found several children shackled to their beds with chains and padlocks in horrible and foul-smelling conditions.
When asked about why the children were chained to their beds, the parents could not provide a reason. Deputies found a total of 12 children in the house but were shocked to find that seven of them were actually adults, some as old as 29.
Even the older victims appeared to be malnourished and very dirty, according to deputies. Including the girl that escaped, 13 victims were found imprisoned at the home, it is unclear how long they had been chained to the beds.
Both parents were arrested and the victims were transported to the station to be interviewed and provided with food and drinks while Child Protective Services and Adult Protective Services arrived.
James and Betty Turpin of West Virginia are the parents of David Turpin and they say they haven't seen the couple since they visited them in California four or five years ago.
They also said they keep in touch by phone with the couple but not the grandchildren who they say are home-schooled. The Turpin's were both arrested on suspicion of torture and child endangerment. Their bail was set at $9 million each.
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To tel you the truth, it`s up to parent to raise their kids , NOT THE STATE. These parents didn`t do a good job raising them. Most Crimes are commited by family members.
This is sickening and an unforgivable act of cruelty. These children will be emotionally damaged for life. These sick sick parents should be imprisoned for life as justice does not allow for worse.
I think these parents are what our American cousins call White trash
I am so angry, while ready this, I just cannot believe what I read!!!! To think, that parents would do this, to their kids!!! Unbelievable!! Thank GOD for the one child that got free!! And now all the kids are safe. The parents need to stay in jail, with no chance of parole!!!! Unbelievable!!!