Prosecutors announced that David and Louise Turpin, the California couple arrested in January for the alleged abuse of their 12 children, have agreed to plead guilty to multiple charges Friday.
The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office tweeted that the couple pleaded guilty to 14 counts, including torture.
Facing life in prison, the Turpins pleaded guilty to the following charges:
- one count of torture
- six counts of dependent adult abuse
- three counts of child endangerment
- four counts of false imprisonment
Riverside police arrested the couple on January 15, 2018, for allegedly withholding food from their 13 children in addition to limiting their bathroom use and allowing them to only shower once a year.
The Turpins’ 17-year-old daughter escaped from the Perris home through a window and used a deactivated cell phone to call 911. The teen allegedly told officers that her parents were holding her and her 12 siblings captive and presented pictures that corroborated her story.
Authorities said the Turpin children, who range in age from 2 to 29, have suffered physical and cognitive impairments due to the years of neglect. However, KTLA reported that their youngest child doesn’t appear to have been abused.
The California couple was being held on $12 million each at the time of Friday’s hearing. According to KABC, the acceptance of the plea deal means there won’t be a trial and their children won’t have to testify.
Judge Bernard Schwartz is questioning David and Louise Turpin about the 14 felony counts to which they are pleading guilty.
— Riverside County DA's Office (@RivCoDA) February 22, 2019
[Featured Image: David and Louise Turpin/Riverside County Sheriff’s Department]
