In a devastating new revelation, the Turpin siblings who survived horrific parental abuse are now speaking out about alleged mistreatment in the foster care system that was supposed to protect them. Diane Sawyer’s February 3rd ABC News special brings to light shocking allegations of abuse and neglect the children endured after their 2018 rescue from their parents’ house of horrors in Perris, California. This comprehensive coverage examines the siblings’ latest disclosures, the timeline of events following their rescue, systemic failures in child protective services, and the ongoing fight for justice and accountability that continues to unfold in 2026.
The Turpin Case: A Brief Background
The Turpin case shocked the world in January 2018 when authorities in Perris, California, discovered thirteen siblings aged two to twenty-nine living in conditions of unimaginable deprivation. According to CNN’s comprehensive coverage, the children had been subjected to systematic torture, starvation, and imprisonment by their parents, David and Louise Turpin.
A brave seventeen-year-old daughter escaped through a window and called 911, leading to the rescue of her twelve siblings. Investigators found children shackled to beds, malnourished to the point where adults appeared childlike, and living in squalid conditions with minimal education or social contact. The parents were subsequently arrested and pleaded guilty to torture and other charges, receiving sentences of twenty-five years to life in prison.
The world rallied around these survivors, expecting their rescue would mark the beginning of healing and recovery. Instead, the February 3rd special reveals a disturbing second chapter of alleged suffering.
New Allegations Emerge in Diane Sawyer Special
Diane Sawyer’s February 3, 2026, ABC News special features exclusive interviews with multiple Turpin siblings who describe their experiences in the foster care system following their rescue. According to ABC News reporting, several siblings allege they suffered physical abuse, emotional manipulation, and neglect while under the care of Riverside County’s child protective services.
Specific Allegations Detailed
The siblings describe being separated from one another despite promises they would remain together as a family unit. This separation compounded their trauma, as the siblings had relied on each other for survival throughout their captivity. Some report being placed in homes where foster parents allegedly exhibited controlling behaviors eerily similar to their biological parents’ treatment.
According to statements in the special, certain siblings experienced physical punishment, restricted food access, and isolation as disciplinary measures. One sibling describes being locked in rooms, triggering severe psychological distress given their prior imprisonment. Another reports foster parents confiscating donated money and gifts intended specifically for the Turpin children.
Systemic Failures and Oversight Gaps
The revelations raise serious questions about oversight mechanisms within Riverside County’s foster care system. The Desert Sun investigation previously reported concerns about inadequate monitoring and follow-up with the Turpin siblings after placement, suggesting systemic issues rather than isolated incidents.
Timeline of Events Since the 2018 Rescue
Understanding the full scope requires examining the post-rescue timeline and how protective services handled this high-profile case.
| Date | Event | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| January 2018 | Siblings rescued from Perris home | Initial discovery and removal from parental custody |
| February 2019 | Parents sentenced to 25 years to life | Legal accountability for biological parents established |
| 2019-2021 | Siblings placed in various foster homes | Period during which alleged foster abuse occurred |
| November 2021 | First public allegations of foster mistreatment | Siblings begin speaking about post-rescue experiences |
| 2022-2024 | Legal actions and investigations initiated | Riverside County faces scrutiny over placement decisions |
| February 2026 | Diane Sawyer special airs | Comprehensive public disclosure of foster care allegations |
According to People Magazine’s coverage, the siblings waited years to publicly discuss their foster care experiences, initially hoping internal investigations would address their concerns. The decision to speak with Diane Sawyer represents their determination to hold systems accountable and prevent similar failures for other vulnerable children.
The Siblings’ Current Status and Advocacy
Despite the multiple traumas they’ve endured, several Turpin siblings demonstrate remarkable resilience and determination to create meaningful lives. The February 3rd special showcases their current situations, highlighting both ongoing challenges and inspiring achievements.
Educational and Personal Milestones
Several siblings have pursued education opportunities they were denied during captivity. According to the special, some have enrolled in community college programs, while others work on obtaining GED certifications. These educational pursuits represent not just academic achievement but profound acts of reclaiming autonomy over their lives and futures.
The siblings also describe forming relationships outside their family unit for the first time, navigating social interactions and trust issues stemming from years of isolation and repeated betrayals by authority figures meant to protect them.
Advocacy for Foster Care Reform
The Turpin siblings increasingly position themselves as advocates for comprehensive foster care reform. Their unique perspective—having experienced both extreme parental abuse and alleged systemic failures in protective services—gives them credibility and moral authority in demanding change.
They specifically call for improved oversight mechanisms, better training for foster parents handling trauma survivors, mandatory mental health support for children entering care, and accountability measures when abuse occurs within the system designed to prevent it.
Riverside County’s Response and Investigations
Riverside County officials have faced mounting pressure to address the allegations detailed in Sawyer’s special. According to Los Angeles Times reporting, the county previously acknowledged “opportunities for improvement” in handling the Turpin case but defended overall placement decisions.
Legal Proceedings and Accountability
Several Turpin siblings have pursued legal action against Riverside County and specific foster care providers. These lawsuits seek both financial compensation for damages and systemic reforms to prevent future failures. Legal proceedings continue to unfold as of early 2026, with discovery processes revealing internal communications and decision-making protocols.
Policy Changes Implemented
In response to scrutiny, Riverside County reportedly implemented enhanced monitoring protocols for high-profile or particularly vulnerable placements. However, advocates argue these reforms remain insufficient and lack independent oversight to ensure meaningful implementation.
Broader Implications for Child Protective Services
The Turpin case highlights vulnerabilities within America’s foster care infrastructure that extend far beyond one county or one family. According to The Chronicle of Social Change, approximately 400,000 children live in U.S. foster care at any given time, with oversight quality varying dramatically across jurisdictions.
National Foster Care Challenges
Common issues include inadequate foster parent screening and training, overwhelming caseloads for social workers preventing proper monitoring, insufficient mental health resources for traumatized children, and limited accountability when abuse occurs within the system. The Turpin siblings’ experiences, while extreme, reflect patterns that child welfare advocates have documented across the country.
The Need for Trauma-Informed Care
Experts emphasize that children rescued from severe abuse require specialized, trauma-informed care that typical foster placements may not provide. The Turpin siblings needed caregivers trained in complex trauma, attachment disorders, and the unique challenges of transitioning from extreme isolation to open society. Without this specialized support, even well-intentioned placements risk causing additional harm.
Moving Forward: Hope and Healing
Despite the heartbreaking revelations in Diane Sawyer’s February 3rd special, the Turpin siblings demonstrate extraordinary courage in sharing their stories. Their willingness to speak publicly serves multiple purposes: seeking personal justice, preventing similar failures for other vulnerable children, and advocating for systemic reforms.
The special concludes with messages of hope, as siblings describe their determination to build meaningful lives despite the obstacles they’ve faced. Their resilience offers inspiration while simultaneously underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive child welfare reform to ensure protective systems actually protect the most vulnerable.
Sources Referenced:
- CNN: https://www.cnn.com/2018/01/18/us/california-turpin-family-captive-children/index.html
- ABC News: https://abcnews.go.com/US/turpin-siblings-speak-out-alleged-abuse-foster-care/story
- The Desert Sun: https://www.desertsun.com/story/news/2022/11/17/turpin-siblings-claim-abuse-foster-care-riverside-county/10703831002/
- People Magazine: https://people.com/crime/turpin-siblings-speak-out-abuse-foster-care/
- Los Angeles Times: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-11-17/turpin-siblings-lawsuit-riverside-county-foster-care
- The Chronicle of Social Change: https://chronicleofsocialchange.org/child-welfare-2/foster-care-system-challenges
