Three of the youngest siblings from the notorious Turpin abuse case are speaking publicly for the first time about the years of neglect, violence, and confinement they endured — first at the hands of their parents, then in foster care. Their candid accounts are featured in an upcoming ABC television event, bringing renewed attention to their remarkable journey from captivity to courage.
Unfiltered Testimony From the Turpin Children
In the special titled The Turpins: A New House of Horror — A Diane Sawyer Special Event, set to air on ABC and stream on Disney+ and Hulu, the siblings candidly describe the grim realities they faced. Almost a decade after being rescued from a Perris, California home, where they were raised in brutal conditions, the youngest survivors detail years of starvation, beatings and cruel confinement at the hands of their biological parents.
The household, described in earlier investigations as one of the most extreme cases of family abuse in U.S. history, saw children ranging from toddlers to adults held in squalid rooms, often chained or punished for trivial “rule violations.” In 2018, then-17-year-old Jordan Turpin escaped the home and alerted authorities, leading to the arrest of her parents.
David and Louise Turpin were later convicted on felony charges including child cruelty, torture, and false imprisonment, receiving prison sentences of 25 years to life.
Foster Care Trauma Compounded Abuse
While their rescue marked a dramatic turning point, the Turpin children’s trauma did not end there. The six youngest survivors were placed with a foster family in California, where they soon endured another chapter of mistreatment. According to statements from their legal team, the foster environment subjected the children to emotional and physical abuse, sometimes described as “worse” than their original captivity.
The foster caregivers, later criminally charged and convicted, were found guilty of offenses that included child cruelty and false imprisonment, adding to the complex legal aftermath of the Turpin case.
A Story of Resilience and Healing
The ABC special aims to shed light not only on the dark chapters of the siblings’ early lives but also on their resilience, ongoing recovery and efforts to reclaim their identities. By sharing their experiences publicly, the Turpin children hope to raise awareness about severe family abuse and the long road to healing that follows such trauma.
As the siblings continue to rebuild their lives, their testimonies serve as powerful reminders of survival and strength — and the importance of protections for vulnerable children everywhere.
