Couple to face trial on yearslong abuse of children

RIVERSIDE, Calif. — A judge on Thursday ordered a California couple to face trial on torture and child abuse charges after prosecutors presented evidence that their children were subjected to years of filth, starvation and cruelty that included beatings with a wooden paddle and caging them as punishment.

Riverside County Superior Court Judge Bernard Schwartz found probable cause that David and Louise Turpin abused 12 of their 13 children for years.

Investigators testified that the couple chained their children to beds and deprived them of food. The judge threw out a child endangerment charge involving the youngest daughter.

Doctors who examined the children ranging from 2 to 29 found signs of severe malnutrition and muscle wasting. Some struggled to speak, and a 12-year-old girl didn’t know the full alphabet.

As the Turpin parents appeared for a second day at a preliminary hearing, their seven adult children were in an adjacent courthouse for a closeddoor guardianship proceeding.

Jack Osborn, a lawyer for the adult children, said no decision was reached on appointing the Riverside County as their long-term guardian. Bailiffs cleared the hallway after the appearance for the privacy of the children, who could be seen from a distance in silhouette as they were ushered out of view.

Horrific testimony of starvation, squalor and brutality was presented Wednesday. Photos showed two pale, malnourished girls shackled to bunk beds. Their sister, who surreptitiously snapped the photos, was heard pleading in a 911 call for someone to come and save her siblings.

David and Louise Turpin have pleaded not guilty to torture, child abuse and other charges. Each is being held on $12 million bail and could face up to life in prison if convicted.