Police found 13 children shackled to beds in their dirty home in California in a shocking discovery. The two parents have been arrested following the disturbing find – but what do we know about them and the children?
Who are David Allen Turpin and Louise Anna Turpin? David Allen Turpin, 57, and Louise Anna Turpin, 49, were arrested and charged with nine counts of torture and 10 counts of child endangerment. The arrests were made after one of the 13 siblings called police and said her 12 brothers and sisters were being held captive. She was so emaciated cops thought she was 10 years old at first. The 17-year-old told police some of her siblings were bound with chains and padlocks.
What did cops find at the California home? Police said when they arrived at the property in Perris, about 70 miles east of Los Angeles, they found children shackled to their beds in “dark and foul-smelling surrounds”. The shocking discovery was made on January 14 in the US state. A statement from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office said: “Deputies located what they believed to be 12 children inside the house, but were shocked to discover that seven of them were actually adults. “The victims appeared to be malnourished and very dirty.” Neighbours told local media they had no idea there were children in the house, while others said they only saw them at night. The six children were transported to the Riverside University Hospital System (RUHS) for medical examinations and admitted for treatment. The seven adult children were taken to Corona Regional Medical Centre for an examination and treatment. Pictures were later made public which showed an unkempt garden, dirty carpets and doors with scratches on.
What do we know about Mr and Mrs Turpin? David Turpin’s parents, James and Betty, from West Virginia, said they were “surprised and shocked” at the allegations. After the pair’s arrest pictures emerged of them and the 13 children posing on various day trips. One showed the couple and the kids at Disneyland, wearing matching T-shirts. Another showed the Turpin’s getting married in a Las Vagas style ceremony – complete with Elvis impersonator.
Photo Credit: Getty
