Photo Credit: Wikipedia
David Allen Turpin and Louise Anna Turpin — the “Good Christian Family” parents from California — who tortured and held their children captive with chains and padlocks, were sentenced to life in prison. Disturbing details of the abuse came to light after a 17-year-old girl escaped from the home early back in January 2018 and called 911, saying her 12 brothers and sisters were still being held captive there. Parents were arrested last year after their kids were found living in deplorable conditions.
NBC News reports that the husband and wife pleaded guilty in February to 14 counts each of torture, dependent adult abuse, child endangerment and false imprisonment.
During their sentencing, both cried and wiped away tears as some of their children addressed the courtroom. The judge ruled the couple will be eligible for parole after 25 years.
"My parents took my whole life from me, now I’m taking my life back," one of the couple's daughters said. “Life may have been bad, but it made me strong. I saw my dad change my mom, they almost changed me. I’m a fighter, I’m strong.”
“I love both of my parents so much,” a statement read in court from another daughter said. “God looks at the heart and I know he sees theirs. I’ve prayed often for them.”
"I cannot describe in words what we went through growing up," one of the sons said. "Sometimes, I still have nightmares from things that have happened. … But that is the past and this is now. I love my parents and have forgiven them."
The parents tried to apologize to their kids during the hearing:
Louise Turpin read a statement in court, apologizing to her children. "I'm sorry for everything I've done to hurt my children. I love my children so much," she said. "I want them to know that mom and dad are going to be OK."
David Turpin was so emotional, he had his lawyer read parts of his statement. "I never intended for any harm to come to my children … I hope the very best for my children in the future," the lawyer read.
Prosecutors said the Turpin children were given only one rationed meal a day and allowed to shower once a year. Their parents would bake pies and not let their hungry children eat them, and would buy toys but forbid the children from opening or playing with them.
Should the physical and psychological torture those children survived be erased by mum’s and dad’s crocodile tears?
Links to the source material:
https://friendlyatheist.patheos.com/2019/04/19/good-christian-parents-ge...
https://abcnews.go.com/US/13-siblings-ages-29-held-captive-parents-shack...
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/house-horrors-case-turpin-parents-s...
