By Robert Gearty, Fox News
Homicide detectives could use cadaver dogs to sniff for the remains of other children in the suburban California “house of horrors,” according to a report.
A week after 13 children, ages 2 to 29, were found living in deplorable conditions in the Riverside County home, detectives have been in “serious discussions” to use the canines to search the home for any unknown children who may have been buried there, according to the syndicated news show Crime Watch Daily.
Detectives also were in talks about using DNA tests to confirm whether all 13 children were related.
(Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin held a press conference revealing disturbing details from Calif ‘house of horrors’ on the Perris child abuse case on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2018. Courtesy of ABC7 and YouTube. Posted on Jan 19, 2018)
An email Sunday from Fox News seeking comment from case investigators with the Riverside Sheriff’s Office was not returned.
Crime Watch Daily said the sheriff’s office would not confirm its report.
The parents of the children are facing up to a life in prison after being charged Thursday with torture, child abuse and unlawful imprisonment.
Louise Anna Turpin, 49, and David Allen Turpin, 57, pleaded not guilty. Each was ordered held in lieu of $12 million bail.
“One of the children at age 12 is the weight of an average 7-year-old,” Riverside District Attorney Michael Hestrin said.
“The 29-year-old female victim weighs 82 pounds.”
The Turpin’s 17-year-old daughter escaped the home last Sunday and called 911, leading investigators to the residence.
Prosecutors said the girl had worked on her escape plan for two years. One sibling came along with her, but then turned around out of fear.
The 12 oldest children showed signs of severe malnutriton, including stunted growth.
The children were being homeschooled but lacked even basic knowledge such as what a policeman is, investigators said.
(David and Louise Turpin, accused of abusing their 13 children, face life in prison if convicted. Courtesy of ABC News and YouTube. Posted on Jan 19, 2018)
Prosecutors said they didn’t know what motivated the Turpins to torture the children in such squalid conditions.
The parents were quoted as saying that “God called on them” to have such a large family.
Prosecutors have said that over the years the children were mistreated, beaten and taunted with food and toys they could look at but not have.
Editor’s Note: Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin asks that anyone with any information about this case (defendants, victims, and/or crimes) to please contact DA’s Sr. Inv. Wade Walsvick toll-free at (888) 934-KIDS (5437) or (951) 955-4KID (4543) or email wadewalsvick@rivcoda.org.
DA MIKE HESTRIN ANNOUNCES CHARGES FILED IN PERRIS CHILD TORTURE CASE
On Jan. 18, 2018, District Attorney Mike Hestrin announced that charges have been filed against a husband and wife in the case of 13 siblings found in horrific conditions in a Perris residence with some of the children chained to furniture.
David Allen Turpin, DOB: 10-17-61; and his wife, Louise Ann Turpin, DOB: 5-24-68, have each been charged with 12 counts of torture, 12 counts of false imprisonment, seven counts of abuse of a dependent adult, and six counts of child abuse.
David Turpin also has been charged with one count of a lewd act on a child under the age of 14 by force, fear, or duress.
If convicted as currently charged, each defendant faces a potential sentence of about 94 years to life in prison.
The crimes both are charged with committing happened from 2010 to the time of their arrests.
They moved from the Ft. Worth area in Texas to Murrieta in 2010 and then to Perris about four years later.
The Turpins were arraigned on Jan. 18, 2018, and both entered not guilty pleas to all counts.
They now have a felony settlement conference scheduled for Feb. 23, 2018, in Dept. 41 at the Hall of Justice in Riverside.
“In more than 20 years as a prosecutor in Riverside County, this is one of the most disturbing cases I’ve seen,” Hestrin said.
“We are fully prepared to seek justice in this case and to do so in a way that protects all of these victims from further harm.”
The Turpins were arrested after their 17-year-old daughter was able to make her way from the family house on Muir Woods Road in Perris and use a deactivated cell phone to call 911.
The girl told responding Riverside County sheriff’s deputies that she and her 12 brothers and sisters were being held captive inside the residence, some restrained by chains and padlocks.
Further investigation revealed that the 13 victims, ranging in age from 2 to 29, were malnourished and living in deplorable conditions.
Officials with Riverside County Child Protective Services and Adult Protective Services were notified to assist the victims.
Ultimately, six victims under the age of 18 were transported to the Riverside University Hospital System and the seven adult victims to Corona Regional Medical Center for examinations and treatment.
The investigation has revealed that the girl who called 911 had been planning a way to escape for about two years.
Other details include the children only being allowed to shower once a year, being restrained by ropes and later chains as a form of punishment, and the parents buying toys, videos, and even food items but not allow the children access to any of them.
One of the victims, who is 12 years old, is the weight of an average 7-year-old; and the 29- year-old victim weighed just 82 pounds when found.
The case, RIF1800348, is being prosecuted by Deputy DA Kevin Beecham of the DA’s Special Victims Unit.
To learn More, go to the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office.
