Torture charges filed against California pair over ‘depraved’ acts

The parents of 13 malnourished children found in alleged captivity in southern California have pleaded not guilty to charges of torture and child abuse.

David Turpin, 56, and Louise Turpin, 49, were charged with multiple felony counts of torture, child abuse, abuse of dependent adults and false imprisonment yesterday. The pair could face life in prison.

Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin said Mr Turpin had also been charged with one count of a lewd act on a child by force.

If convicted, the couple faces up to 94 years to life in prison.

Mr Hestrin said: “As a prosecutor there are some cases that haunt you. Some deal with human depravity and that’s what we’re dealing with here.”

The Turpins were due to make their first court appearance last night, UK time. They have been jailed on $9 million (£6.5m) bail.

Authorities said the situation came to light early on Sunday when a 17-year-old daughter climbed out a window of their home, called 911 and showed deputies photos that substantiated her story.

Three of the children, who are aged two to 29, were found chained to furniture when police entered the house.

The children’s grandparents had earlier said their son’s family looked happy and healthy when they last visited California six years ago.

Betty Turpin – the 81-yearold mother of Mr Turpin – said. “They were just like any ordinary family and they had such good relationships.

“I’m not just saying this stuff. These kids, we were amazed. They were ‘sweetie’ this and ‘sweetie’ that to each other.”

Betty Turpin said they were still in shock from learning her son and his wife were arrested this week. She said her son told her he had so many kids because God wanted him to. David Turpin shared her Pentecostal Christian faith, but he was not affiliated with a church in California, she said.

“I feel they were model Christians,” she said. “It’s hard to believe all of this. Over the years, the Lord knows what happened.”

James Turpin said during their visit “they all looked to me well adjusted”. “They weren’t skinny or nothing,” he said. “They were joyous to see us.”

He said they were dealing with social workers in attempting to connect with their grandchildren, who are hospitalised as they recover from their years-long ordeal.

The Turpins have lived in two Riverside County communities since moving to California in 2011. Police said they had never been called to either home, nor were any child services reports fielded.