The Turpin siblings saved from their CaliforniaHouse of Horrorslast year are now enjoying their new life of freedom — and five of them are going to college.
“They are incredibly hopeful and optimistic about their futures and are relieved to be out from under that type of lifestyle, that burden,” Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin tells PEOPLE. “We can take some hope and solace about how resilient the human spirit is.”
The horrific case came to light in January 2018 when David, 57, and 50-year-old Louise Turpin were arrested after their 17-year-old daughter escaped the family’s Perris house and called 911. In February of this year, the couplepleaded guiltyto 14 felony counts — including torture and false imprisonment — for routinely starving, shackling and abusing their 13 children, who at the time of the arrest ranged in ages from 2 to 29. Last week, they weresentencedto 25 years to life in prison.
Jae C. Hong/AP
Despite the horrible abuse they suffered, the Turpin siblings have started to thrive.
At a sentencing hearing Friday, the oldest daughter, now 30, told a Riverside County Superior Court judge that she was now attending college and living independently.
The Turpin family.Courtesy Billy Lambert
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“I love hanging out with my friends and life is great,” she said. “I fought to become the person I am. … I am strong and I am shooting through life like a rocket.”
Her 27-year-old brother, Joshua, told the judge he was getting his bachelor’s degree in software engineering and had plans to get his master’s degree. He has learned how to ride a bicycle, swim and advocate for himself, he said.
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Jack Osborn, the attorney for the seven adult siblings, says Joshua also plans to get his driver’s license. “He definitely wants to learn how to drive,” he tells PEOPLE. “He’s very ambitious. He thinks before he can drive he should know how to fix a car, so he wants to work on that and is looking for some sort of class to take.”
Three more Turpin siblings are also attending college, Osborn says. One of the siblings is working in a bicycle shop.
“They’re all doing okay,” Osborn says. “I think they are still dealing with everything that’s happened to them. That’s a challenge that’s going to be with them for a long time, but they’re moving forward and they’re making friends and trying to create a new identity other than being one of the 13.”
source: people.com
