I-Team Exclusive: Interview with Perris prison home DA

David Allen Turpin and Louise Ann Turpin, if convicted on all charges, would face a minimum of 94 years in prison.

The Turpins’ alleged crimes, detailed in court, consisted of 12 counts of false imprisonment, 12 counts of torture, 7 counts of abuse of a dependent adult, and 6 counts of child abuse. David Turpin also faces one count of conducting a lewd act on a child by force or fear. David, Louise, and their 13 children resided in Perris in 2014, but their actions went unnoticed by the community.

Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin sat down with the I-Team’s Zak Dahlheimer to discuss the newest details on the case.

“You had a situation, a system where that’s all the kids knew,” Hestrin said. “I think they obviously have a big age difference. A range of age between the children. The youngest being two years old and the oldest being 29 years old. So, certainly, it’s fair to assume some of the older kids cared for their siblings. of course.”

The children are now safe and being looked after.

“How are the victims, especially when responding to emotional and medical treatment,” Zak asked.

“I can’t really comment on how they’re responding. What I do know is, they’re doing well, they’re relieved, they’re being well-fed, and they’re being well cared for. So, beyond that, I don’t know honestly. My sense is you’ve got the best professionals looking after them, and their physical well-being, as well as their mental and emotional well-being as well,” Hestrin responded.

Hestrin said investigators are now starting to comb through hundreds of journals found inside the home. Which he says could reveal what life was like for those children behind these walls.

“I think what’s in the journals will be significant evidence. You have to think. Step back and think how rare it is to have evidence directly of what a victim in this case went through,” Hestrin said.

From what your team has gathered so far is it mostly writings? have there been illustrations in there,” Zak asked.

“In the journals, there are a variety of things. It’s writings, and other things in the journals,” Hestrin responded.

It remains unknown what will happen with the children moving forward but Hestrin said the priority now is making sure they get immediate care. He believes the children could play a role as they prepare for trial.

“I think that they’ll be witnesses in the case,” Hestrin said.

As the work begins, Hestrin hopes more people will speak up while the investigation continues on.

“We’re going to leave no stone unturned. So, if there’s more criminal conduct that we uncover during this investigation, we will,” Hestrin said.

Hestrin confirmed a hearing is set for tomorrow in Riverside for an order that would restrain the Turpins from having any contact with their children.

If you would like to donate to the fund set up with Riverside University Health System and the County Family Justice Centers to help the kids, you can do so here.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call the DA’s tip line at 888-934-KIDS