The Turpin case is one of the most horrible and upsetting cases of child abuse and neglect in recent history. In January 2018, authorities saved 13 brothers and sisters, aged 2 to 29, from their family home in Perris, California, where they were treated very badly and starved by their parents, David and Louise Turpin. The brothers and sisters were very thin, had problems with thinking and growing, and lived in dirty conditions. Some of them were tied to their beds as a way of hurting them. They were also cut off from the outside world, getting little or no education, health care, or social interaction.
The parents admitted to many charges of abusing adults who depend on them, locking them up, putting children in danger, and torturing them, and were sent to prison for 25 years to life in April 2019. The brothers and sisters were taken care of by Riverside County and got medical help, counseling, and education. They also got money and help from kind strangers who were touched by their story.
However, almost four years after they were saved, some of the Turpin brothers and sisters are still finding it hard to get over the pain and problems they faced. Some of them have even faced more abuse and neglect in the foster care system. According to an ABC News report, some of the Turpin children still live in very bad conditions, do not have basic skills for life, and do not have enough resources and services that were promised to them by the county and the court.
One of the Turpin brothers who is still under someone else’s control because of health issues is Jonathan Turpin, who is about 28 years old. He came to open Probate court on Friday, July 28, 2023, for a report about his health. He was with his lawyer, Andrew Beechko, who works for him and six other adult brothers and sisters.
Jonathan Turpin looked much younger than his age, as he still has thin face features because of being hungry. He wore a purple-colored jacket, grey pants and black socks and shoes. His black hair was short and smooth. He seemed happy to be in court and said “That’s me!” when he was introduced by his lawyer to Superior Court Judge Kenneth Fernandez.
The judge decided to keep the report on Jonathan Turpin’s health secret and asked Beechko to give his thoughts on it in September. The judge also wished him good health and thanked him for coming to court. After the hearing, Jonathan Turpin hugged his lawyer and left with a county worker wearing a Riverside University Health System shirt. When a reporter came to him for an interview, the worker would not let him talk for himself and said “He has nothing to say to you.”
Jonathan Turpin’s appearance was one of the few times that any of the Turpin brothers and sisters have been seen in public since they were saved. Their lives have been hidden from view, as they are protected by laws that cover child-abuse victims and a secrecy order that stops anyone from sharing information about their well-being.
However, some officials and some of the Turpin children have spoken out to say that they are not getting enough care and help from the county and the court. Mike Hestrin, the Riverside County district attorney who put the parents in jail, told ABC News’ Diane Sawyer that “They have been hurt again by the system.” He said that he and his team are among the few outsiders who have managed to stay in touch with the children and that they are worried about them.
According to Hestrin, some of the Turpin children have been put in foster homes that were later found to be abusive or careless. He said that one of the foster families was arrested and charged with hurting many children in their care, including at least one Turpin child. He also said that some of the Turpin children are living in poor conditions, such as trailers or hotels, without proper help or guidance.
Hestrin said that he has tried to help the children and speak up for their rights and needs, but he has faced problems from the county and the court. He said that he has filed requests to appoint independent people or guardians for the children, but they have been rejected or ignored by the judge. He also said that he has asked for access to records or reports on the children’s progress or status, but they have been kept or changed by the county.
Hestrin said that he thinks that the county and the court have not done their duties or responsibilities towards the Turpin children. He said that they have not given them enough resources or services, such as housing help, job training, life skills teaching, or mental health counseling. He also said that they have not made sure their safety or well-being in their places or checked their growth or recovery.
Hestrin said that he is angry and sad by the lack of responsibility and honesty from the county and the court. He said that he hopes that the public will ask for justice and change for the Turpin children, who deserve a better life after what they have gone through. He said that he will keep fighting for them and supporting them as much as he can.
The Turpin case is a sad and terrible example of how child abuse and neglect can have lasting and harmful effects on the victims. It is also a reminder of how the system that is supposed to protect and help them can fail them or harm them more. The Turpin brothers and sisters have shown amazing strength and bravery in the face of trouble, but they still need and deserve more help and support to heal and grow.
