NewsCalifornia News

Actions

Louise, David Turpin, couple who shackled children, get life in prison

Posted
and last updated

RIVERSIDE (AP) -- A California couple who pleaded guilty to years of torture and abuse of 12 of their 13 children have been sentenced to life in prison.

David and Louise Turpin were sentenced Friday during an emotional hearing that saw some of the children speak publicly about the abuse for the first time.

Louise Turpin wept as she apologized for hurting her children, while her husband David Turpin struggled to give a short statement.

David Turpin's lawyer read part of a statement because he was too upset. "My homeschooling and discipline had good intentions," he said. "I'm sorry if I've done anything to cause them harm."

Louise Turpin spoke for herself, saying, "I'm sorry for everything I've done to hurt my children. I love my children so much. ... I only want the best for them.

One of their daughters, weeping, said in court that "My parents took my whole life from me but now I'm taking my life back."

The sentencing came just over a year after the Turpins' 17-year-old daughter jumped out of a window of the family's squalid home and called 911. She reported that some of her siblings were chained to their beds and that she hadn't bathed in months.

,

Weather

Daily Forecast

View Hourly Forecast

Day

Conditions

HI / LO

Precip

Friday

05/09/2025

Sunny

99° / 68°

0%

Saturday

05/10/2025

Sunny

102° / 66°

0%

Sunday

05/11/2025

Sunny

91° / 57°

0%

Monday

05/12/2025

Mostly Sunny

78° / 54°

0%

Tuesday

05/13/2025

Partly Cloudy

73° / 54°

13%

Wednesday

05/14/2025

Sunny

81° / 57°

1%

Thursday

05/15/2025

Sunny

87° / 62°

0%

Friday

05/16/2025

Mostly Sunny

89° / 62°

0%