Children Found Shackled In California Home To Be Split Up In Foster Care

Last week, The Goldwater reported on a disturbing case of 13 children who were tortured by their parents. It wasn't until one of the children <a href="https://thegoldwater.com/news/16193-12-Starving-Kids-Found-Chained-To-Beds-In-California">broke free</a> from their parents home and called 911 that the years-long abuse was exposed.

<img src="https://media.8ch.net/file_store/82d2a42956f84e851f97b9fc191ae242ea95b3560398f2ad132c7cf9e6fda8fd.jpg" style="max-height:640px;max-width:360px;">

<span style="margin-top:15px;rgba(42,51,6,0.7);font-size:12px;">Credit: The Turpin Family/ CBS News</span>

Since then, sickening details have been emerging as Perris prosecutors move forward with charges against 57-year old David Allen Turpin and 49-year old Louise Anna Turpin. Besides chaining and shackling their children to their beds, the children also faced harsh militaristic punishment such as being forced to <a href="https://thegoldwater.com/news/16277-Shackled-California-Kids-Seen-Marching-At-Night-By-Neighbours">march</a> into the early hours of the morning.

On top of the cruel and unusual punishments doled out by the abusive couple, the children were also starved and the Turpins fed their <a href="https://thegoldwater.com/news/16576-California-Couple-Who-Starved-Their-13-Children-Kept-Their-Dogs-Well-Fed">dogs</a> better than their children who were found to be highly malnourished and faced growth issues because of the lack of nutrients. When deputies first saw the 17-year-old girl who had escaped the home to call 911, they thought that she was only 10-years-old because of her small and starved appearance.

Now that both parents are facing a slew of charges related to the abuse and captivity of their children, the state of California has taken custody of the children who have asked to remain together and to not be separated. Unfortunately, it seems the children will have to be split up in foster care.

A source close to the investigation told CBS News that the siblings specifically asked social workers to stay together after they were freed. The children range from age 2 to 29 and all 13 underwent years of torture and abuse while being held captive against their will. The source also said that all 13 siblings have diminished mental capacity.

Both parents have been charged with 12 counts of torture, seven counts of abuse of a dependent adult, six counts of child abuse or neglect and 12 counts of false imprisonment. Riverside District Attorney Mike Hestrin said, "These defendants eventually began using chains and padlocks to chain up the victims to their bed. These punishments would last months at a time."

Hestrin added that the 29-year-old victim weighs only 82 pounds and had never been to a doctor or dentist. Social workers say their adjustment to society will be a great challenge. "They lack a basic knowledge of life. Many of the children didn't know what a police officer was," Hestrin said.

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Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/california-children-found-shackled-in-home-placed-in-foster-care/