How will the money raised help the 13 Turpin siblings?
The 13 Turpin siblings were starved, tortured, and held captive by their parents, David Allen Turpin and Louise Anna Turpin, for years. The crime was finally discovered on Jan. 14 when the Turpin’s 17-year-old daughter managed to escape the residence and alert the authorities.
Read: Couple accused of locking 13 children in Perris home
David Allen and Louise Ann are facing 2 counts of torture, 12 counts of false imprisonment, 7 counts of abuse of a dependent adult, 6 counts of child abuse. David Allen faces a single count of lewd act on a child by force or fear
Since the arrest, there has been much discussion into what will happen to the 13 siblings.
“The immediate concern has been let’s make sure that these victims are healthy and that they’re ok. They’re in a safe place,” Riverside County District Attorney told KESQ / CBS Local 2’s Zak Dahlheimer.
Watch: I-Team Exclusive: Interview with Perris prison home DA
CBS News is reporting, according to close sources, the county has won conservatorship over the adult children who will be moved to a supervised living facility. The six minor children will be split up to live in two foster homes
A number of organizations have worked together to raised more than $183,000 this past week for the siblings.
“We believe in better and we’re a community. We’re connected as people and to know that others have suffered, to know that this has gone on, folks are literally just compelled to be a part of a solution,” said Erin Phillips, foundation executive director at Riverside University Health System.
Phillips said the money collected in the fund will go straight into a trust which she says will most likely be used for long-term support, such as medical, dental and educational needs.
Other groups, like the Riverside County Family Justice Center, have been collecting basic needs for the victims.
“We’ve received a lot of art supplies. We’ve received blanket donations, a lot of people have had a lot of interest in providing comfort supplies for the children,” said Katie Gilbertson, supervising advocate at Riverside County Family Justice Center.
Gilbertson said the Family Justice Center has also received pledges for services such as therapy, medical and dental care for the children
Those like Perris city leaders hope to see the support grow, as they’ve raised more than $25,000 on the GoFundMe page the city set-up for the Turpin siblings.
“The donations are coming in constantly and we’re pleased. Again, it shows that people really care. and if they can make a difference, they will,” a Perris city spokesperson said.
Phillips said the RUHS Foundation has also been working with the Corona Chamber of Commerce. The Corona Chamber of Commerce has raised just about $70,000 for the siblings. They’re also inviting restaurants around Southern California to partner with them in a dine-out event next Wednesday, with proceeds going to help the siblings.
The RUHS Foundation has set up a support fund for the siblings, you can donate to that here.
More: I-Team and Stands for You investigations
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