California Girl’s Escape From ‘Human Depravity’ Led to Rescue of 12 Siblings
The parents, David A. Turpin, 56, and his wife, Louise A. Turpin, 49, pleaded not guilty in court on Thursday afternoon to all charges, including
12 counts of torture, seven counts of abuse of a dependent adult, six counts of child abuse and 12 counts of false imprisonment.
Mr. Hestrin also recounted how the children were allowed to bathe only once a year — if they washed their arms above their wrists, they were accused of “playing in water”
and chained to their beds as punishment, Mr. Hestrin said.
Mr. Hestrin said that many of the children appear to have cognitive deficiencies
and show evidence of nerve damage from “extreme and prolonged physical abuse.” None of the siblings, ages 2 to 29, have seen a doctor in four years and they have never seen a dentist.
Before coming to California, the family lived in Fort Worth, Tex., where, Mr. Hestrin said, the parents used rope and “hogtied” the children.
“Someone must have seen something, someone must have noticed something,” Mr. Hestrin said.
“What started off as neglect became severe, pervasive, prolonged abuse,” Mr. Hestrin said.