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PEOPLE Explains: 7 Significant Recent Developments in the House of Horrors Case

By Celebrity News Wire on March 20, 2018

It was a case that made international headlines — and it’s not over.

In January, David and Louise Turpin were arrested in Perris, California, after authorities there said the Turpins’ 13 children had been held captive in the family home and regularly abused and even tortured.

The kids, who ranged in age from 2 to 29 at the time of their parents’ arrest, were found in squalid conditions after one of their siblings escaped and called 911.

The parents were quickly taken into custody, where they remain on $9 million bond as their prosecution proceeds. They have pleaded not guilty to torture, abuse, and false imprisonment charges.

Meanwhile their children have been healing and adjusting to a life outside the home where they were allegedly kept as prisoners. Last Thursday, the seven adult Turpin children were released from the hospital and are now living in a home in rural California in an undisclosed location.

More information continues to come to light about the Turpins’ lives. David and Louise are also facing an increasing number of criminal charges.

Here are seven recent notable developments in the case.

1. Mom Believes She Did ‘Nothing Wrong’ and Is ‘Going to Get Out’ of Jail: Relatives

Speaking to Good Morning Britain on Tuesday, Louise’s sister Elizabeth Flores alleged that she is so disconnected from reality that she thinks she’s “going to get out and we’re going to play board games again,” like the pair did as children.

“We’re searching for answers just like the rest of the world,” Flores, who visited the Turpins in jail in California last week, told hosts Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid. She alleged that Louise is “living in a la-la land.”

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On the show, cousin Tricia Andreassen told the hosts, “When we went and saw Louise, we walked out of there and we were like, ‘Oh my gosh, what in the world are we seeing? Is she just totally insane? What in the world?’ ”

2. Relatives Say Father Knew ‘He Had Messed Up’ and Was ‘Sobbing’ in Jail

Asked if the Turpins realize the severity of what they’ve been charged with, Flores told Good Morning Britain, “I don’t think Louise does. I think David is starting to realize.”

“David was broken. He knew that he had messed up and he was broken,” she added.

“We went and saw David and he was just sobbing,” added Andreassen. “He would sob, like his shoulders would shake up and down.”

“I said ‘I don’t know all the things you’ve done,’ and he said, ‘It will come out.’ ”

3. The Seven Adult Siblings Were Released From Hospital — and Now Live in Rural Home

Mark Uffer, chief executive officer of Corona Regional Medical Center, confirmed to PEOPLE that the seven adult siblings were released from the hospital on March 15. 

Jack Osborn, the lawyer representing the seven adult siblings, told ABC they moved to a home in rural California in an undisclosed location, where they will be reunited with their family dogs and able to make decisions for themselves.

Uffer said hospital staff had grown very close to the siblings, saying of their leaving, “It was emotional for the staff and emotional for them.” He added, “This has been their home away from wherever they were at before, so it was a little bit tough for them and the staff.”

Before they left, hospital staff threw them a farewell party, with pizza, sandwiches and a karaoke machine.

“They got to sing on a karaoke machine — they love to sing and love to interact with people,” Uffer said. “They can sense people that actually care for them so they were very attached.”

4. Children Have Become Known Locally as ‘The Magnificent 13’ — and Are Described as ‘Warm and Loving’

Corona, California, mayor Karen Spiegel, who works closely with the nurses caring for the siblings, told PEOPLE that local supporters don’t refer to them as the Turpins because they don’t want to associate them with their parents. Instead, they are called “The Magnificent 13.”

Describing the seven adult children, who were released from the hospital last Thursday, she said, “They are warm and loving kids, even though they’re adults, we keep calling kids; they just have some growing up to do. They’re just behind but they’ll get through.”

“They are progressing well, and looking into the future, seeing where their lives could go and they have the support system,” Spiegel adds. “They have the whole community behind them.”

The mere fact that they are able to make decisions for themselves is itself a momentous achievement, Osborn told CBS.

“That in itself is a new experience for them, understanding that they do have rights and they do have a voice,” Osborn said.

5. The Older and Younger Siblings Have Connected Over Skype

The older and younger Turpin children were housed in separate facilities, but Osborn said they connected via Skype.

According to Osborn, they have also been exposed to entertainment and technology they’d been deprived of, reading Harry Potter books and using iPads.

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“That’s a big deal, deciding what they’re going to read, deciding what they’re going to wear, these are all things that are decisions they make every day that are new and empowering,” Osborn said.

6. Cellist Yo-Yo Ma Performed Private Concert for Siblings — Who Learned Tom Petty Songs on Guitar

In early March, Grammy-winning cellist Yo-Yo Ma stopped by the Corona Regional Medical Center to perform a private concert for all 13 siblings.

Uffer told PEOPLE that several of the siblings expressed an interest in music and picked up the instrument after a donation from Corona-based Fender Guitars in Corona.

“I have actually gone over and showed them some chords and they loved that,” Uffer said, noting he’s a drummer in a local rock band. “Music is very soothing and a great hobby … it takes you to a quiet, soothing place.

Some of the Turpin siblings can play John Denver and Tom Petty songs on the donated acoustic guitars, according to Uffer. 

7. The Parents Were Charged With Four Additional Felonies

In late February, four new felony charges were filed against the Turpin parents. The new charges include three new child abuse charges against the couple and one felony assault charge against Louise, according to the amended criminal complaint.

“Further investigation has led us to amend the complaint,” said Riverside County District Attorney spokesman John Hall. “It could add more time to the exposure they are facing.”

The prosecution has said the children will testify against their parents at trial.

Full Story