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Turpin family: Children were chained as punishment and only allowed to shower once a year, prosecutors say

The family seen in Dr Seuss-style shirts in a group photo which appears to have been taken in April 2016: Facebook
The family seen in Dr Seuss-style shirts in a group photo which appears to have been taken in April 2016: Facebook

The 13 siblings allegedly held captive in a California home by their parents were chained as punishment and only allowed to shower once a year, prosecutors said.

David Allen Turpin, 57, and Louise Anna Turpin, 49, have been charged with committing years of torture and abuse that left their children malnourished, undersized and with cognitive impairments.

Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin gave details on Thursday of their "severe, emotional, physical abuse" and "depraved conduct".

A 17-year-old daughter who climbed out a window on Sunday and called 911 on a cellphone had plotted her escape for two years, he said.

Charged: Louise Anna Turpin and David Allen Turpin (Riverside Sheriff's Department)
Charged: Louise Anna Turpin and David Allen Turpin (Riverside Sheriff's Department)

Another sibling escaped with her but turned back out of fear.

Hestrin said all 13 victims – aged between two and 29 – were severely malnourished and as a result some have cognitive impairment and a lack of basic knowledge.

He said a 29-year-old female victim weighed 82 pounds.

The victims were not allowed to shower more than once a year, he added.

The family pictured at David and Louise Turpin's wedding vow renewals in Las Vegas
The family pictured at David and Louise Turpin's wedding vow renewals in Las Vegas

Authorities previously said some siblings were shackled to furniture in the foul-smelling four-bedroom home that looked perfectly normal from the outside.

Prosecutors filed 12 counts of torture, seven counts of dependent adult abuse, six counts of child abuse and 12 counts of false imprisonment against the couple.

David Turpin was additionally charged with one count of a lewd act on a child under age 14.

The victims range in age from two to 29. The charges involve acts in Riverside County dating to 2010.

Media report from 160 Muir Woods Road in Perris, California (AFP/Getty Images)
Media report from 160 Muir Woods Road in Perris, California (AFP/Getty Images)

The torture and false imprisonment charges do not include the two-year-old, Hestrin said.

In an interview, grandparents of the children said on Wednesday that their son's family looked happy and healthy when they last visited California six years ago.

"They were just like any ordinary family," said Betty Turpin, the 81-year-old mother of David Turpin.

"And they had such good relationships. I'm not just saying this stuff. These kids, we were amazed. They were `sweetie' this and `sweetie' that to each other."

Betty Turpin told the Southern California News Group that they were still in shock from learning that her son and his wife were arrested.

Additional reporting by Associated Press