Turpin Brothers Share Their Story of Abuse
Three brothers from the Turpin family, who suffered immense abuse at the hands of their parents and foster caregivers, have opened up about their harrowing experiences for the first time.
Julissa, 19, Jolinda, 20, and James, 24, are among the 13 siblings rescued in 2018 from their parents, David and Louise Turpin, who subjected them to horrific conditions. After their rescue, they were placed in California’s foster care system, where they faced additional challenges.
In a special airing Tuesday night on ABC titled “Turpins: A New House of Horrors,” the brothers recounted their painful memories and expressed their aspirations for the future.
The brothers revealed the relentless nightmare they experienced at the hands of their parents. Julissa shared, “Toward the end, I was always crying at night. And I would like to ask Jesus to take me.”
She recalled, “We were literally dying of starvation there, and she knew it.” Her mother’s final words were reportedly calling her “the devil.” At that time, James was in such poor health that he could barely walk and lived in constant fear for his life and that of his siblings.
The turning point came on January 14, 2018, when their sister, Jordan Turpin, bravely escaped through a window and alerted the authorities about the abuse they endured.
David and Louise were later sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for their acts of cruelty. However, the relief of escaping their biological parents led to further trauma when Julissa, Jolinda, and James were placed with their new foster parents, Marcelino and Rosa Holguin.
While under the Holguins’ care, they faced physical, sexual, and psychological abuse. Julissa, just 11 at the time, sensed something was awry when Marcelino referred to her as “sexy” on her first night. She expressed, “I didn’t know much about it, but I knew it wasn’t right. It made me feel very unsafe in the house.”
Marcelino reportedly continued to touch her inappropriately and force kisses on her. He was arrested in January 2021 and ultimately pled guilty to multiple counts of child abuse. His wife Rosa and their daughter Lenise also faced charges related to child abuse.
Despite their traumatic experiences, Jolinda hopes their story will bring attention to flaws in the child welfare system, emphasizing that something positive needs to arise from their struggles. “It has to be done and not doing so is unacceptable,” she stated.
Riverside County Executive Jeff Van Wagenen noted that the experiences of the brothers have prompted changes in the county’s approach to child welfare. He highlighted that an investigation launched in 2021 resulted in significant reforms aimed at better protecting vulnerable children.
ChildNet, which settled a lawsuit with the county without admitting wrongdoing, expressed its support for the Turpin children, saying, “Our hearts are with them.”
