When Evil Parents Realize They've Been Caught

Summary

The script recounts the chilling 911 call and subsequent rescue of the Turpin siblings from their abusive parents' California home. Jordan Turpin, 17, bravely reported her family's horrifying conditions, revealing siblings chained and malnourished. The parents' extreme religious beliefs and isolation from society led to the children's neglect. The Turpins were sentenced to 25 years to life, while the siblings faced further struggles, including issues with accessing funds from a trust set up for them.

Takeaways

• 🏠 The Turpin family lived in a house filled with rotting food, trash, and unopened toys and clothes, creating an unhealthy and confusing environment for the children.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 David and Louise Turpin had 13 children, with ages ranging from 2 to 29, all of whom were severely malnourished and some even chained and abused.
• 📞 17-year-old Jordan Turpin made a 911 call, which led to the discovery of the family's dire situation and the eventual rescue of her siblings.
• 🚔 Law enforcement arrived at the Turpin residence acting on the 911 call, finding the children in squalor and one boy chained to a bed.
• 🔒 The children were often chained as punishment and were psychologically tormented with food they were not allowed to eat.
• 🏫 None of the Turpin children received formal education; their father claimed to homeschool them but their knowledge did not exceed that of an average third grader.
• 🚫 The Turpin children had limited contact with the outside world and were not allowed to go to school or even the backyard of their home.
• 🤰 Louise Turpin married David Turpin at the age of 16, and their deeply religious beliefs influenced their decision to have many children.
• 💉 The children were rarely taken to the doctor and had little understanding of basic health-related terminology or medication.
• 📝 In a letter from jail, Louise expressed regret and promised a better future for the family, indicating a lack of understanding of the severity of their actions.
• 🛑 After their rescue, the Turpin children faced further challenges, including alleged mistreatment in foster care and issues accessing funds from a trust set up for them.

Q & A

What was the initial call made by Jordan Turpin to the 911 operator?

Jordan Turpin called 911 to report that she had run away from home and was in Paris, California. She was unable to provide her exact location or street name, and she was transferred to the Sheriff's Department.

How did Jordan describe the living conditions of her family?

Jordan described the living conditions as extremely poor, with the family eating the same things for years, and some siblings being chained up for stealing food. The house was filthy, and they were not allowed to take baths or go outside.

What was the situation of the Turpin children in terms of education and health?

None of the Turpin children had received any formal education, and Jordan had only started first grade at home. They suffered from malnutrition and other health issues due to the lack of proper food and hygiene.

How did the police find the Turpin home?

The police found the Turpin home after Jordan provided her address, 92570 5 five 7 4, and after Deputy Anthony Kachi responded to the scene and met Jordan, who guided him to the house.

What was the reaction of the Turpin parents when the police arrived at their home?

The Turpin parents initially seemed cooperative, allowing the police to enter and check on the welfare of the children. They mentioned they were planning to move to Oklahoma and claimed to have a job-related reason for the move.

What did the police discover inside the Turpin home?

The police discovered a house filled with rotting food, trash, and a strong stench of human waste. They found several children, including two girls and a boy who was chained to a bed.

What was the condition of the Turpin children when they were found?

The Turpin children were severely malnourished, with some appearing much younger than their actual ages. They had cognitive impairment and nerve damage due to consistent lack of food.

What was the Turpin parents' explanation for their actions?

David and Louise Turpin claimed they had good intentions with homeschooling and discipline. They stated they did not intend to harm their children and believed they were providing a good life for them.

What happened to the Turpin children after their parents were arrested?

The Turpin children were split into two groups: the adults were placed in supportive care, and the underage children were placed into foster homes. They later faced issues with accessing funds from a trust set up for them.

What legal actions have the Turpin children taken after their rescue?

The six younger Turpin children filed a lawsuit against Riverside County and Child Net, a private foster care agency, alleging they were placed in inhumane foster homes. The adult Turpin children also faced difficulties in accessing funds from a trust set up for them.