The House of Horrors Parents

Thirteen children were rescued from their parents, David and Louise Turpin, who subjected them to decades of severe physical and psychological torture, isolation, and starvation in what became known as the 'House of Horrors'.

• 17-year-old Jordan's escape revealed decades of extreme abuse and torture of 13 children by their parents, David and Louise Turpin.

• The children suffered severe malnutrition, physical restraints, psychological torment, and cognitive impairments due to their isolated and deprived existence.

• The Turpin parents were sentenced to life in prison, and the rescued children began a journey of recovery, supported by public donations and their enduring sibling bond.

The Turpin family case details the horrifying abuse of 13 children by their parents, David and Louise, who kept them in extreme isolation, malnutrition, and filth, often chained to beds. The ordeal was exposed when 17-year-old Jordan escaped and called 911, revealing a shocking pattern of cruelty that spanned years and multiple residences. The children, ranging from 2 to 29 years old, suffered cognitive impairment, nerve damage, and stunted growth due to the systematic neglect and torture.

Discovery of Abuse

• 00:00:05 On January 14, 2018, 17-year-old Jordan Turpin escaped her Perris, California home and made a frantic 911 call, reporting that her two younger sisters were chained inside. Unfamiliar with basic concepts like her address or a sidewalk, Jordan's call revealed her extreme isolation. Deputy Anthony Colace responded to find Jordan severely emaciated and traumatized, leading him to the Turpin residence where he discovered the horrific conditions and confirmed the ongoing abuse.

Turpin Parents' Control

• 00:02:09 David and Louise Turpin maintained absolute control over their children, locking away food and punishing any attempt to steal with severe physical abuse, including being confined in a dog kennel or chained with ropes and padlocks. Louise also engaged in psychological torment, such as making a 9-year-old watch her kitten thrown to feral dogs as a 'lesson.' The children were denied education, allowed only one shower a year, and lived in unsanitary conditions, with their desperate journal entries later serving as evidence against their parents.

Physical and Mental Toll

• 00:09:26 The 13 Turpin children, half of whom were adults aged 18 to 29, suffered severe cognitive impairment and nerve damage from lifelong malnutrition, with some barely able to communicate. Despite abundant fast food waste found in the house, the children were starved, as their parents intentionally taunted them with food and chained them for any attempt to eat. This systematic torture also included displaying new toys and bicycles that the children were never allowed to touch, further breaking their spirits and minds.

Aftermath and Recovery

• 00:13:00 After the parents pleaded guilty to 14 felony counts including cruelty, torture, and false imprisonment, they were sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole in 25 years. The rescued children received substantial public donations and, despite their trauma, formed an unbreakable bond. The younger children were placed with foster families, and all 13 siblings reunited to attend a Justin Bieber concert, a significant event for Jordan who secretly watched his videos, which helped her realize her childhood was not normal.