Turpin family latest: Mother 'perplexed' by police inspection after having no prior contact with authorities

'It’s hard to think of them as adults when you first see them because they’re so small'

A Californian couple accused of imprisoning their children in “horrific” conditions had no prior contact with authorities and the mother seemed surprised when law enforcement officers turned up at their door, officials said.

After a 17-year-old daughter slipped through a window and called police, she led authorities back to a squalid Perris house where a dozen of her siblings were held, some of them shackled in chains.

Their parents Louise Anna and David Allen Turpin have been arrested on torture and child endangerment charges, seemed “perplexed” as to why authorities were visiting the house, said Riverside County Sheriff’s Office chief Gregory Fellows.

He added that law enforcement agencies did not have a prior contacts at the residence.

Records indicate that Mr Turpin had received state approval to run a private school at the property where the children were found.

Chief Fellows said it appeared only family members were homeschooled there.

The California Department of Education said in a statement that it “does not have the authority to monitor, inspect, or oversee private schools”.

It added: “We are sickened by this tragedy and relieved the children are now safe and authorities are investigating. Full-time private schools are required to register with the state to record their students’ exemption from compulsory attendance at public schools.”

Chief Fellows said it was too early to establish if there was a religious element to the captivity.

There was no information that suggested any of the children had been sexually abused, he said, but added that the investigation is still in its “very early stages”.

“I wish I could come to you today with information that could explain why this happened but we do need to acknowledge the courage of the girl that escaped,” he added.

Medical professionals said they are treating the children for malnutrition.

“It’s hard to think of them as adults when you first see them because they’re small,” said Mark Uffer of Corona Regional Medical Centre, where the siblings who are 18 and older were being treated.

He added: “They’re very friendly, they’re very cooperative and I believe that they’re hopeful that life will get better for them”.

While authorities were unable to say how long the siblings had been held, Riverside County Department of Public Social Services Director Susan von Zabern said “their condition indicates that it has been a long period of time”.

“You have to imagine that these kids are going to need a lot of support,” said Sophia Grant, a child abuse paediatrician with the Riverside University Health System.