Perris Torture Case: 5 Things To Know

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Riverside County officials are continuing their investigation as to why a couple allegedly tortured their 13 children for a "prolonged period," depriving them of food and water and chaining them to furniture. The victims, one as young as 2- years-old, weren't discovered until Sunday, when one victim somehow managed to escape the Perris home and called 911 using a disconnected cellphone.

Here's what we know so far about the case and the Turpin family.

How It Was Discovered

Riverside County deputies received a call Sunday morning from a 17-year-old girl who said she had escaped the home where her parents, 57-year old David Allen Turpin and 49-year old Louise Anna Turpin, were holding her siblings captive. Upon arriving to the home in the 100 Block of Muir Woods Road, deputies thought the caller was just 10-years-old because she was so malnourished. They entered the home, in which three children were found chained and the others were emaciated.

Officials said David and Louise Turpin were unable to provide a "logical" reason for why the children were chained; Louise seemed "perplexed" about why deputies were there. Deputies also thought all 13 victims were minors, but later discovered seven of the biological children are over the age of 18 and the oldest is 29.

The family was taken to the sheriff's station in Perris where the parents were ultimately arrested. The children were transported to Corona Regional Medical Center after being given food and water.

Who Are The Turpins

Multiple reports about the Turpins have surfaced in recent days. The New York Times reported David Turpin worked as an engineer at Northrop Grumman. He is also listed as the principal of Sandcastle Day School, a school registered at the family's home where the children were home-schooled. Louise Turpin was identified as a homemaker.

The couple filed for bankruptcy in 2011, the New York Times reported.

NBC reported David and Louise Turpin renewed their vows three times with their children, dressed in matching attire, by their side.

Neighbors Didn't Know

No one was probably more surprised by the devastating discovery than the Turpin family's neighbors in the quiet development.

Kimberly Milligan told KCAL the children looked "so pale."

"It's so sad, so horrible," Jennifer Luna told KCAL. "I can't believe this. I can't believe this."

Ricardo Ross told The Press-Enterprise, "It's very shocking. Very devastating."

While Andria Valdez told the newspaper, "They only came out at night. They were really, really pale."

Family Didn't Know Either

James and Betty Turpin, parents of David Turpin, told ABC News "they hadn't seen their son and daughter-in-law since visiting them in California some four to five years ago.

"However, they said they have kept in touch with them by phone since," ABC News reported. "They told ABC News they had not spoken to their grandchildren, saying David Turpin or his wife would often call when they were without the children, who are homeschooled."

Teresa Robinette, sister of Louise Turpin, cried at the news of her nephews and nieces. She told NBC she thought Louise Turpin "was living the perfect life."

"She would tell us they went to Disneyland all the time, they would go to Vegas," Turpin told NBC.

What's Next For The Family

Officials said the children are being treated at Corona Regional Medical Center, where they are all together. Because they were "malnourished for over a prolonged period of time," Sophia Grant, medical director of child abuse and neglect unit at Riverside University Health System, said the victims will face obstacles as they recover from the abuse.

"They, of course, will have growth stunting and nutritional deficiencies," Grant said.

David and Louise Turpin are in custody at the Robert Presley Detention Center as they await their hearing on Thursday at the Riverside Hall of Justice. Both parents were booked for violations of torture and child endangerment. Bail was set at $9 million each.

--Booking photos via Riverside County Sheriff's Department

Also See:

13 Victims Rescued In Perris Were Tortured For 'Prolonged Period'

California Parents Accused Of Torturing Their 13 Children