CA - 13 victims, ages 2 to 29, shackled in home by parents, Perris, 15 Jan 2018 #7

[rsd1200]

There was a case in my own town that happened a little over 20 years ago. The kid's name was Wesley and he lived with his mother, stepfather, and siblings right on Main Street. His step-dad was even magistrate for awhile (or something big, I can't quite remember). Wesley had attended school for most of his life, had a lot of friends, etc. but suddenly, at the age of 12, he just kind of disappeared. At 14 he showed up at his friend's house, covered in bruises (and with a few broken bones). For the past 18 months he'd been chained to the toilet in the family's bathroom. He was beaten and starved and emotionally abused. They family had gotten away with it by telling people that he'd moved in with his dad in another town.

This happened on Main Street. Wesley could see our court house from the bathroom window.

Twenty-one years later and my town is STILL trying to recover from the awful crime. He was a sweet boy, very polite. I didn't go to school with him but I lived 6 doors down from his house and the pool hall his step dad owned. (I attended the school where my mother taught, but he and I were the same age. I knew him by sight.) In hindsight our citizens could piece things together and think, yeah, that doesn't seem right. At the time, however, we were all floored.

Wesley made the talk show rounds with Dave Pelzer there for a while. Montel had him on at least twice. After years of therapy, and living in a facility where he got mental healthcare, he is now an adult with a family of his own. I don't live in his head so I can't say how "well" he is doing, but from the outside it appears that he was able to make a life for himself.

I have hope for these kids. In Wesley's case, the abuse escalated quickly. He went from a kid who was heavily involved in school and extracurricular activities to one who wasn't allowed to leave the house and as abused. His mother wouldn't even use his name.

ETA: The step-father is out of jail now. No kidding, he is running for our state senate. Welcome to my state.

Omgosh! Surely he won't win. Never mind...

 

[buttonbaby]

https://www.cnn.com/2018/01/23/us/turpins-child-torture-allegations/index.html

Today's hearing pic

Wow... she is smiling again. WTF???

The police officer behind her is REALLY giving her a dirty look.

 

[rosesfromangels]

Wow... she is smiling again. WTF???

The police officer behind her is REALLY giving her a dirty look.

Yes he is! Love it.

 

[Zelda1010]

There was a case in my own town that happened a little over 20 years ago. The kid's name was Wesley and he lived with his mother, stepfather, and siblings right on Main Street. His step-dad was even magistrate for awhile (or something big, I can't quite remember). Wesley had attended school for most of his life, had a lot of friends, etc. but suddenly, at the age of 12, he just kind of disappeared. At 14 he showed up at his friend's house, covered in bruises (and with a few broken bones). For the past 18 months he'd been chained to the toilet in the family's bathroom. He was beaten and starved and emotionally abused. They family had gotten away with it by telling people that he'd moved in with his dad in another town.

This happened on Main Street. Wesley could see our court house from the bathroom window.

Twenty-one years later and my town is STILL trying to recover from the awful crime. He was a sweet boy, very polite. I didn't go to school with him but I lived 6 doors down from his house and the pool hall his step dad owned. (I attended the school where my mother taught, but he and I were the same age. I knew him by sight.) In hindsight our citizens could piece things together and think, yeah, that doesn't seem right. At the time, however, we were all floored.

Wesley made the talk show rounds with Dave Pelzer there for a while. Montel had him on at least twice. After years of therapy, and living in a facility where he got mental healthcare, he is now an adult with a family of his own. I don't live in his head so I can't say how "well" he is doing, but from the outside it appears that he was able to make a life for himself.

I have hope for these kids. In Wesley's case, the abuse escalated quickly. He went from a kid who was heavily involved in school and extracurricular activities to one who wasn't allowed to leave the house and as abused. His mother wouldn't even use his name.

ETA: The step-father is out of jail now. No kidding, he is running for our state senate. Welcome to my state.

There is a nice latimes article that was easy to find given the details. Thanks for sharing. I'm glad to hear Wesley did, indeed, get to go on to have that family to love on properly. A shame his abusers didn't have to serve more time.

 

[rsd1200]

Is it just me - or does anyone else here, in looking at their latest mugshots, expect a pair of horns to sprout from LT's forehead?

Not to put down a great band but kinda reminds of Angus Young on the Highway to Hell album.

 

[Leila]

Any estimates for how long it would take for a case like this to go to trial? I’m new to following cases so was surprised by the three years rule against trying to contact children.... I assumed they’d be convicted well before then.

Probably about a year to a year and a half. Depends on court calendar and the investigation.

 

[rsd1200]

8:30 am when LEO arrived at the house. DA said they sleep all day. I wonder if the already knew daughter gone or if LEO knocking on door woke them up?

I bet they were asleep and had no clue. They said the kids were in pajamas so they'd been penned up, and at least three, shackled, for the day. Probably why she seemed so perplexed. They'd not realized the 17 y.o. was gone.

 

[Deleted member 158085]

In articles about this case LT was initially described as 'perplexed' that law enforcement came into her house last Sunday. When she was arrested and taken off to jail, it's reported she spat on the ground.

In the first hearing last Thursday, she was laughing and smiling as if that hear was some sort of social event.

Then in today's hearing, she learns that she's not to have any contact with any of her children for 3 years and her reaction is to smile adoringly at her attorney.

It's as if she thinks this is about someone else, not her.

There's something very creepy about her. I think that if she hadn't been with DT, she still would have perpetrated crimes of some sort against her kids - but anyone else probably would not have let it go this far or taken part in it. And if she didn't have kids, I can picture her walking the streets, ranting, quite honestly.

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[ThaiBali]

Sad to say, but maybe she's smiling because she feels a sense of relief - not having to be around her kids.

I actually thought this as well. She appears relaxed and I don't think prison time will bother her at all.It would be interesting to know if either of them have asked about children.

 

[ocgrad]

In articles about this case LT was initially described as 'perplexed' that law enforcement came into her house last Sunday. When she was arrested and taken off to jail, it's reported she spat on the ground.

In the first hearing last Thursday, she was laughing and smiling as if that hear was some sort of social event.

Then in today's hearing, she learns that she's not to have any contact with any of her children for 3 years and her reaction is to smile adoringly at her attorney.

It's as if she thinks this is about someone else, not her.

I think she is such a narcissist that she believes she is winsome and can get her way. I think she has a pretty warped view of how she is perceived. Maybe DT has treated her like a trophy wife, never expecting her to cook or keep house since she was 16 and she believes she's a doll.

 

[arkansasmimi]

They were probably processed inside the house. My guess is the prosecution wants these items for a trial.


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No doubt they wanted,as they took. My thing is Defense could file Motion to suppress something like that or fight if. Can't believe they did that.

 

[arkansasmimi]

At least Diane Downs was attractive on the outside. She looks like Annie Wilkes from 'Misery'.

Eww on both. DD wasn't attractive to me, before knowing what she did. Jmho

 

[rsd1200]

I wonder if she thinks she can somehow get out of this by blaming her husband? I do not think that is possible, I think they have specific evidence for specific incidents for each of them. As in a specific day and time a certain crime was committed times however many crimes for both.

One or both may think they can blame it on the other but I don't think that either of them can get out of this. They'll have a hard time finding an impartial jury what with all the conflicting interviews out there but these folks are going to prison, imo.

 

[rsd1200]

JMO
I get the complete opposite vibe. From what little we have seen I saw hints of her controlling things and him being a subordinate.

For example in one of the Elvis video where she forcefully controlled his attempt at kissing her after Elvis said to kiss the bride.

The whole video I sensed he was along for the ride while she google eyed Elvis and was sucking up the whole experience.

The reports of her spitting as she was being escorted to be arrested.

The reports of her taking her boy to school and waiting outside the classroom

The reports of her pooh poohing the boys attempt to have a "friend" from the class, driving away, and then he was not in class again after that.

Nothing definite to prove much and they BOTH have been equally charged with crimes in this case. Its just I get the sense she may have been more of a control freak with the kids than he was was.

I may be getting that vibe just from appearance too.
All JMO

I've gone back and forth but that Elvis video clearly showed, to me anyway, that she was diggin' Elvis dude, and I kinda think that, that is why that they kept using the same dude.

 

[arkansasmimi]

I read he has a court appointed attorney but she has an outside attorney. Did they hire an attorney for her, maybe used the house for collateral, because they know she is the main perpetrator?

Conflict if interest public defender office defending both . Public defender office paying for outside attorney for LT

 

[hlynn2]

Not sure if someone already posted this article, but this here is heartbreaking. A former 4th grade classmate recalls how he and other students bullied one of the Turpin girls:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news...lassmate-feels-overwhelming-guilt/1064116001/

We never know when a person we cross paths with (at any stage of our life, really) is going through the unimaginable.

I still can't get over how the neighbors saw them marching for hours upon hours, till the morning -- and not. one. phone call. was made.

 

[TxJan1971]

"Turpin House of Horrors: Uncle Says He Wants to Care for Children"

and

"Another relative, Louise Turpin's sister Teresa Robinette, says the children should be cared for by her side of the family."

more at article/video

http://www.insideedition.com/turpin-house-horrors-uncle-says-he-wants-care-children-40105

 

[hlynn2]

I'm all about helping the kids stay together but how can we trust the family members to keep them away from these monsters? Even if it's just phone calls, or letters... they just need to cut off all contact with them. I can't imagine their family not giving in to communication or feeling sorry for their parents. Ugh, heartbreaking.

 

[rsd1200]

Any estimates for how long it would take for a case like this to go to trial? I’m new to following cases so was surprised by the three years rule against trying to contact children.... I assumed they’d be convicted well before then.

After the trial, and the convictions (of which I feel, if they don't screw things up), the "No contact" will probably be part of the sentence. At least it was with the young lady who I know. Her father got out after five years and had a no contact order and had to register in the s.o. database. Hopefully, they will spend many years more than five, though.

 

[Rocco]

Not sure if someone already posted this article, but this here is heartbreaking. A former 4th grade classmate recalls how he and other students bullied one of the Turpin girls:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news...lassmate-feels-overwhelming-guilt/1064116001/

We never know when a person we cross paths with (at any stage of our life, really) is going through the unimaginable.

I still can't get over how the neighbors saw them marching for hours upon hours, till the morning -- and not. one. phone call. was made.

I have a hard time believing someone worked a night shift and then sat by their window, looking out for hours at their neighbors house instead of going to bed. For a few minutes? Yes. But not for hours.